3D Modeling of AC Electric Arc on 60 Hz and 400Hz

Iragaba Intwari, Wei-Jen Lee

Energy Systems Research Lab
: [email protected]

ABSTRACT Computational Grid(Prepared in Code Saturne Variables:

Governing Equations:
Current studies and standards such as the IEEE Maxwell Equations , Conservation Laws: Salome 6, size:0.3m,0.3m,0.25m) p( pressure), ρ (mass _ density ), h(enthalpy )
1584-2002 Guide for Performing Arc Flash    λ (thermal _ conductivity ), c p ( specific _ heat )
 1 ∂E 
Hazard Calculations, NFPA 70E and OSHA ∇ × = B µj+ 2 ( Ampere ' s ) σ (electrical _ conductivity ), u (velocity _ vector )
standards only focus on arc flash events on c ∂t
  τ ( shear _ stress _ tensor ), J (current _ density )
50Hz/60Hz three phase electrical power systems. ∇ • B = 0(Gauss )
The single phase AC system and other  B(magnetic _ field ), E (electric _ field ), µ ( permeability )
 
frequencies such as 400 Hz are not covered in ∇ × E = − ∂B ( Maxwell − Faraday ) Comparison to Recent Experimental Results:
current studies and standards. Since the di/dt ∂t
(change of current with respect to time) is   ρ
different for various frequencies, the arc flash ∇ • E = (Gauss )
event may behave differently. Thus an
ε
exploration of arc flash event at 400 Hz and for Energy :
single phase electrical power systems is highly ∂ρ h 
CODE SATURNE SIMULATION
 λ  
needed. In this paper we present 3D simulation + ∇ • ( ρ uh − ∇ h )= J • E RESULTS(Preliminary).
∂t cp Single Phase AC: (Temperature in Kelvin, Imposed
of electric arc event at 400 Hz and 60 Hz (single
phase and three phase electric systems) and Momentum : current:2000A, voltage magnitude:300 V, simulation
compare the model results to existing ∂ρ u   time:0.1sec, 10,000 iterations, 1 inch gap)
   
experimental results. The simulation is + ∇ • ( ρ u ⊗ u − p + τ )= J ∧ B 60 Hz 400 Hz Summary
performed by Code Saturne Software which ∂t
uses the theory of magnetohydrodynamics to Based on the MHD simulation results, 400Hz electric
simulate electric arc. Simulation Flowchart: arc event produces higher arcing current, higher
temperature profile compared to 60 Hz electric arc
MHD simulation results for electric arc at 60 Hz are
INTRODUCTION close to recent experimental data.
An arcflash is a flashover of electric current Electric arc behavior depends Power system
through air from one exposed live conductor to conditions(gap, available short circuit current, source
another conductor or ground in electrical equi- voltage, etc).
pment. On average 5 to 10 arcflash explosions
occur on the job every day in the United ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
States.The 400 Hz power system is mainly used  Members of the University of Texas at
for aircraft applications. The arcflash event can 3 Phase AC: (Temperature in Kelvin, Imposed Arlington(UTA) Energy Systems Research
cause death and equipment destruction at all current:0.525 kA, voltage magnitude:606 V, simulation Center(ESRC). Dr. Wei-Jen Lee is the Director
frequencies. In this work, we compare arc flash time: 0.05 sec, 5,000 iterations, half inch gap) of UTA ESRC.
phenomena at 60 Hz and 400 Hz using 60 Hz 400 Hz
magnetohydrodynamics model simulation. In REFERENCES
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