A method of simulating magnetically driven arcs

This paper presents a new, practical method of simulating the behavior of arcs driven by magnetic force in a gas. This simulation method is very useful in designing electric devices using magnetically driven are technique. First, we describe the arc model. In this model, the are is assumed to be a chain of small rigid cylindrical current elements. Each element receives Lorentz's force from the magnetic field and a fluid drag force from the surrounding gas. Owing to the similarity between an are and a rigid column, the drag force of the are is expressed by that of the column. The element moves with the velocity determined by these forces. Consequently, we can obtain the behavior and the shape of the whole are. Finally, simulation example is shown.