Electrode materials and their stability characteristics in the vacuum arc

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.