What is the necessity of arc management in a circuit breaker?

Question

Why is an arc management necessary in a circuit breaker?

Where did you get the information that arc formation is necessary in circuit breakers? As far as my knowledge goes, it is the exact opposite, to the point where very high power circuit breakers have powerful fans to literally blow away the plasma that allows an arc to be sustained. — user36129, Aug 22 '13 at 14:12
If there is an arc the circuit is not broken. Also arc -> energy dissipation -> bad -> dead breaker if arc not removed. — Russell McMahon, Aug 22 '13 at 17:51

score 3 · Answer 1 · answered Aug 22 '13 at 14:14

3

Arc formation is not necessary in a circuit breaker. It is an undesirable but depending on current carried, unavoidable aspect of circuit breakers.

Arcs are generated when the flow of current is interrupted. A circuit breaker should incorporate a way to contain and extinguish this arc, and keep the device cool while the arc exists.

Hence, a better question might be, "why is arc management necessary in a circuit breaker?"

answered Aug 22 '13 at 14:14

Anindo Ghosh

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An arc means that you have failed to interrupt the current! – Dave Tweed Aug 22 '13 at 16:59
@DaveTweed Yup. Hence the extinguishing part :-) – Anindo Ghosh Aug 22 '13 at 16:59

What is the necessity of arc management in a circuit breaker?

1 Answers1