Polymeric Ablation Induced by Free Burning Arcs in Air

We investigate the influence of switching arcs on different polymers and their interaction. We describe a set of experiments on a simplified model geometry typical for low voltage switchgear. In a broad range of experimental conditions and parameters such as arc current, polymeric material or contact material, the voltage, the mass loss and the corresponding pressure build-up are examined. From this raw data, we deduce the arc influence on the ablation process as well as the feedback on some arc plasma properties.