EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF ARC SUPPRESSION IN AC CONTACTORS
Analysis results of arc processes under switching asynchronous electric motors are given. Transient processes of switching off the active and inductive loading, mechanisms of breakdown of intervals between contacts are considered, the influence of a hoisting speed of voltage recovery on value of puncture voltage is marked, and time of both formation and delay of discharge in the course of breakdown explains this. The marked phenomenon was put into the basis of a method of switching tests by measuring wave characteristics of a test circuit: tension and durability under recovery. The offered method is to support the equality of a hoisting speed of test voltage and voltage under recovery in the rated mode. This provides reliability of measurement of the recovered durability and assessment of switching ability of the contactor being examined. Results of the pilot studies of contactors with different versions of cameras of arc extinction are given. The possibility to apply considered energy saving and nondestructive method to monitor switching ability of contactors is shown.