Experimental Research on the Effect of Different Electrode Materials on Arc Energy Parameters

Arc discharge accidents in industrial applications pose an enormous threat to workers and surrounding equipment. To study the effect of electrode materials on arc energy parameters and provide a theoretical basis for the selection of arc protection when different materials discharge in engineering environments. This article established an arc experimental platform and energy measurement system based on the IEC 61482-1 standard. Arc tests were conducted on four electrode materials: copper, stainless steel, iron, and graphite under different test conditions. The results show that the copper electrode current is the highest during normal operation, and the iron current is the highest when there is an arc generated. The graphite electrode current is always the smallest. The calculation results indicate that the iron arc resistance is the smallest, with an average of 13.46 m Omega. The graphite arc has the highest resistance, with an average of 81.63 m Omega. Copper calorimeters were used to measure arc temperature and it found that although iron current is the highest, its arc temperature is the lowest. The arc shape is used to explain this reason. When selecting arc protection equipment, attention should be paid to graphite electrodes, although the arc current is small, it can generate a higher arc temperature.