The voltage that appears across the breaker contact after the circuit ...
Recovery Voltage:
The RMS voltage that appears across the circuit breaker contacts after final arc interruption (when breaker opens) is called “recovery voltage”
Restriking Voltage:
It may be defined as the voltages that appears across the breaking contact at the instant of arc extinction
Active Recovery Voltage:
It may be defined as the instantaneous recovery voltage at the instant of arc extinction
Arc Voltage:
It may be defined as the voltages that appears across the contact during the arcing period, when the current flow is maintained in the form of an arc. It assumes low value except for the point at which the voltage rises rapidly to a peak value and current reaches to zero.
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The voltage that appears across the breaker contact after the circuit ...
Recovery Voltage in Circuit Breakers
The voltage that appears across the breaker contact after the circuit breaker is opened is known as recovery voltage. This phenomenon occurs due to the interruption of the current flow in the circuit.
Causes of Recovery Voltage
- When a circuit breaker interrupts the current, an arc is formed between the contacts.
- The arc maintains the current flow until it is extinguished, leading to a high voltage across the contacts once the circuit is opened.
Importance of Recovery Voltage
- Recovery voltage plays a crucial role in the successful interruption of current by a circuit breaker.
- It affects the dielectric strength of the insulation and the re-ignition voltage of the arc.
Effects of Recovery Voltage
- High recovery voltage can lead to re-ignition of the arc, causing damage to the breaker contacts and reducing the efficiency of the breaker.
- It can also result in overvoltage in the circuit, potentially damaging other equipment connected to it.
Control of Recovery Voltage
- To mitigate the effects of recovery voltage, circuit breakers are designed with features such as arc quenching chambers and special materials on the contacts to help extinguish the arc quickly.
- Proper maintenance and testing of circuit breakers are essential to ensure that the recovery voltage remains within safe limits.
In conclusion, recovery voltage is an important aspect of circuit breaker operation that must be carefully controlled to prevent damage to equipment and ensure the reliable interruption of current in electrical systems.