Arc Suppression Aim Abdurrohim1102121286TI 36 INT

Definition

Arc suppression is the reduction of sparks formed when current-carrying contacts are separated. The spark is a luminous discharge of highly energized electrons and ions, and is an electric arc.

Arc Suppression is required to keep contacts in the device from burning up.

UseThere are several possible areas of use of arc suppression methods, among them metal film deposition and sputtering, arc flash protection, electrostatic processes where electrical arcs are not desired (such as powder painting, air purification, PVDFfilm poling) and contact current arc suppression. In industrial, military and consumer electronic design, the latter method generally applies to devices such as electromechanical power switches, relays and contactors. Arc suppression is contact protection.

Contact of arc suppression

Every time an electrical power device (for example: heaters, lamps, motors, transformers or similar power loads) turns on or off its switch, relay or contactor transitions either from a closed to an open state (break arc) or from an open to a closed state (make arc & bounce arc), under load, an electrical arc occurs between the two contact points (electrodes) of the electromechanical power switch, relay or contactor. The break arc is typically more energetic and thus more destructive

Effectiveness1. Visual Inspection of the

arc.

2. Graphical representation of measurements obtained by an oscilloscope

Common deviceCommon devices used to prevent arcs are capacitors, snubbers, diodes, Zener diodes, varistors, transient voltage suppressors, and voltage-dependent resistors.Contact arc suppression solutions that are considered more effective.1. Two-wire contact arc suppressor2. Solid state relays are not electromechanical, have no contacts,

and, thus, do not create electrical arcs.3. Hybrid power relays;4. Hybrid power contactors.

Benefits1. Minimized contact damage from arcing and

therefore reduced maintenance, repair and replacement frequency.

2. Increased Contact reliability.3. Reduced heat generation resulting in less

heat management measures such as venting and fans.

4. Reduced Ozone and pollutant emissions.5. Reduced Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)

from arcs - a common source of radiated EMI.