Voltage waveform at slowly separating silver-based contacts with heated holder

Arc discharge generated by breaking electrical contact is considered as a main source of not only degradation of the electrical property but also an undesired electromagnetic (EM) noise. In order to clarify the effect of heated temperature on the bridge, arc-duration and the fluctuation of voltage, opening-waveforms at slowly separating silver-tin dioxide contact with holder heating are measured and discussed experimentally in this paper. Firstly, opening-waveforms are measured. Secondly, voltage fluctuation of the each arc-phase is discussed to extract the effect of the heated holder. The relationship between temperature of the heated holder and duration and fluctuation of the arc was investigated experimentally. It was revealed that as the initial temperature of the heated holder becomes higher, arc-duration becomes slightly longer. In addition, voltage fluctuation at the gaseous-phase decreases when the holder is heated. Consequently, the heated holder can suppress the voltage fluctuation even if its duration becomes slightly longer.