Electrode materials and their stability characteristics in the vacuum arc

1 May 1963

journal article
Published by Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) in IEEE Transactions on Communication and Electronics

Vol. 82 (2) , 253-258
https://doi.org/10.1109/tce.1963.6373384

Abstract

The problem of current chopping in the vacuum interrupter is considered and various reasons for the occurrence of this phenomenon are explored. Metals with high vapor pressure were found to be most suitable for the maintenance of an arc at low currents in vacuum, and have been utilized for the solution of the current chopping problem in vacuum interrupters. There is some evidence that the presence of low work function materials also enhances arc stability.

Keywords

MATERIALS
METALS
VACUUM ARCS
CATHODES
THERMAL STABILITY
CIRCUIT STABILITY