Circuit interruption: theory and techniques

720 Pages·1984·34.11 MB·English

by  Browne, Thomas E

CIRCUIT
INTERRUPTION
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING AND ELECTRONICS
A Series of Reference Books and Textbooks
Editors
Marlin 0. Thurston William Middendorf
Department of Electrical Department of Electrical
Engineering and Computer Engineering
The Ohio State University University of Cincinnati
Columbus, Ohio Cincinnati, Ohio
1. Rational Fault Analysis, edited by Richard Saeks and S. R. Liberty
2. Nonparametric Methods in Communications, edited by P. Papantoni-
Kazakos and Dimitri Kazakos
3. Interactive Pattern Recognition, Yi-tzuu Chien
4. Solid-State Electronics, Lawrence E. Mu"
5. Electronic, Magnetic, and Thermal Properties of Solid Materials,
Klaus Schroder
6. Magnetic-Bubble Memory Technology, Hsu Chang
7. Transformer and Inductor Design Handbook, Colonel Wm. T. McLyman
8. Electromagnetics: Classical and Modern Theory and ApplicatioJ1S, Samuel
Seely and Alexander D. Poularikas
9. One-Dimensional Digital Signal Processing, Chi-Tsong Chen
I 0. Interconnected Dynamical Systems, Raymond A. DeCarlo and .Richard
Saeks
11. Modern Digital Control Systems, Raymond G. Jacquot
12. Hybrid Circuit Design and Manufacture, Roydn D. Jones
13. Magnetic Core Selection for Tranformers and Inductors: A User's Guide
to Practice and Specification, Colonel Wm. T. McLyman
14. Static and Rotating Electromagnetic Devices, Richard H. Engelmann
15. Energy-Efficient Electric Motors: Selection and Application, John C.
Andreas
16. Electromagnetic Com possibility, Heinz M. Schlicke
17. Electronics: Models, Analysis, and Systems, James G. Gottling
18. Digital Filter Design Handbook, Fred J. Taylor
19. Multivariable Control: An Introduction, P. K. Sinha
20. Flexible Circuits: Design and Applications, Steve Gurley, with contributions
by Carl A. Edstrom, Jr., Ray D. Greenway, and William P. Kelly
21. Circuit Interruption: Theory and Techniques, edited by Thomas
E. Browne, Jr.
Other Volumes in Preparation

CIRCUIT
INTERRUPTION
Theory and Techniques
Edited by THOMAS E. BROWNE, JR.
Westinghouse Research
and Development Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
n
MARCEL
MARCEL DEKKER, INc. NEw YoRK· BASEL
DEKKER
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Main entry under title:
Circuit interruption.
(Electrical engineering and electronics; 21)
Includes index.
1. Electric circuit-breakers. 2. Electric arc.
3. Electric contacts. I. Browne, Thomas E. [date]
II. Series.
TK2842.C57 1984 621.31'7 84-12087
ISBN 0-8247-7177-X
Copyright© 1984 by Marcel Dekker, !nc. All Rights Reserved
Neither this book nor any part may be reproduoed or transmitted
in any form or by any means, eleotronic or mechanical, including
photocopying, microfilming, and recording, or by any information
storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from
the publisher.
Marcel Dekker, Inc.
270 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10016
Current printing (last digit) :
10 9 8
DEDICATED
to the memory of
Joseph Slepian
Teacher, Inventor and Pioneer in Furthering
the Understanding of Circuit-Interrupting Devices

Preface
In the early growth of electric power systems, there was fairly complete
understanding of mechanical and electromagnetic theory as applied to
rotating machinery. The circuit -interrupting devices, however, were
developed by "cut and try" methods and they all relied on the some-
what mysterious properties of the electric arc to switch the current.
As short-circuit currents increased, some of the interrupting failures
were quite spectacular. As an indication of the early state of the
theory, while a young engineer I was told by an experienced breaker
designer that oil circuit breaker ratings could be increased mainly by
making the tanks stronger! Although patent records show much ac-
tivity in circuit breaker development around the beginning of this
century, it was only in the 1920s (see Chapter 1) that worldwide re-
search began to solve some of the mysteries of high-power circuit in-
terruption. Since then an imposing amount of published literature on
arc interruption in circuit breakers has emerged, but relatively few
books have been written on the subject (see Chapter 1, General
References).
The aim of this book is to provide information to practicing engi-
neers and students about the history and current state of circuit in-
terruption theory and techniques by drawing on the knowledge and
experience of twenty-two contributors who are or have recently been
actively involved in research, development, or application of modern
circuit breakers. The large number of contributors reflects the great
diversity that characterizes the circuit interruption field today. Even
in this book, oil and compressed-air circuit breakers are not covered
because they are being superseded by the sulfur hexafluoride (SFa)
puffer breaker (Chapter 10). Power fuses are also not included
since developments in the theory of these devices have not been ex-
tensive.
Because of the emphasis on physical principles, no attempt has
been made to furnish complete descriptions of all presently manufac-
v