Micro-arcing and arc erosion minimization using a DC hybrid switching device

Hybrid switching devices utilize the advantages of both conventional electrical contacts and solid state electronics to minimize arcing during opening and closing operations. This can result in higher reliability and reduces the need for high cost specialist contact materials. The hybrid switch does not eliminate arcing completely, due to the inductive nature of circuits; micro-arcing is known to occur. An experimental dc hybrid switching device is introduced which minimizes arcing for 42 V applications. The characteristics of micro-arcing are investigated to determine the factors which influence the duration of micro-arcs. Surface profiling techniques are used to determine low level contact erosion. The magnitude of contact erosion is related to the micro-arcing.