Difference between revisions of "Definition of Terms and Symbols"
From Electrical Contacts
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− | + | ===6.4.1 Definition of Terms and Symbols=== | |
Note: The symbols for electrical contact specific terms (i.e. contact area, contact resistance, etc. have been retained from the german version of the Data Book. In related English literature some of them may vary using subscript symbols related to the language used – for example “contact resistance”: as used here from german R<sub>k</sub>, in english mostly R<sub>c</sub>. | Note: The symbols for electrical contact specific terms (i.e. contact area, contact resistance, etc. have been retained from the german version of the Data Book. In related English literature some of them may vary using subscript symbols related to the language used – for example “contact resistance”: as used here from german R<sub>k</sub>, in english mostly R<sub>c</sub>. | ||
− | *'''Electrical contact''' is a property which is generated through the touching of | + | *'''Electrical contact''' <br />is a property which is generated through the touching of two electrically conducting surfaces. |
− | two electrically conducting surfaces. | ||
− | *'''Contact part''' is a metallic component which is designed to create or interrupt | + | *'''Contact part''' <br />is a metallic component which is designed to create or interrupt an electrical contact (is frequently replaced by the term “contact” if it is clearly understandable that a physical piece or item is meant). |
− | an electrical contact (is frequently replaced by the term “contact” if it is clearly | ||
− | understandable that a physical piece or item is meant). | ||
− | *'''Contact area''' is the whole area on a contact part that may be used for | + | *'''Contact area''' <br />is the whole area on a contact part that may be used for contacting. |
− | contacting. | ||
− | *'''Apparent contact area A<sub>s</sub>''' is the part of the contact area on contact parts that | + | *'''Apparent contact area A<sub>s</sub>''' <br />is the part of the contact area on contact parts that can make physical contact during the touching of two contacts. |
− | can make physical contact during the touching of two contacts. | ||
− | *'''Load bearing contact area A<sub>t</sub>''' is the part of the apparent contact area which | + | *'''Load bearing contact area A<sub>t</sub>''' <br />is the part of the apparent contact area which is affected by the contact force. It is the sum of all microscopic actual touching points. |
− | is affected by the contact force. It is the sum of all microscopic actual touching | ||
− | points. | ||
− | *'''Effective contact area A<sub>w</sub>''' is the part of the load bearing contact area through | + | *'''Effective contact area A<sub>w</sub>''' <br />is the part of the load bearing contact area through which current is flowing and therefore the sum of all current carrying touching areas (a-spots), A<sub>w</sub>< A<sub>t</sub>< A<sub>s</sub>. |
− | which current is flowing and therefore the sum of all current carrying touching | ||
− | areas (a-spots), A<sub>w</sub>< A<sub>t</sub>< A<sub>s</sub>. | ||
− | *'''Contour area A<sub>n</sub>''' is the contiguous area which includes all effective | + | *'''Contour area A<sub>n</sub>''' <br />is the contiguous area which includes all effective a-spots, A<sub>w</sub>< A<sub>n</sub>< A<sub>s</sub>; A<sub>n</sub>≠ A<sub>t</sub>. |
− | a-spots, A<sub>w</sub>< A<sub>n</sub>< A<sub>s</sub>; A<sub>n</sub>≠ A<sub>t</sub>. | ||
− | *'''Contact resistance R<sub>k</sub>''' is composed of the constriction resistance and the film | + | *'''Contact resistance R<sub>k</sub>''' <br />is composed of the constriction resistance and the film resistance. |
− | resistance. | ||
− | *'''Constriction resistance R<sub>e</sub>''' is the incremental electrical resistance generated | + | *'''Constriction resistance R<sub>e</sub>''' <br />is the incremental electrical resistance generated by the constriction of the currents paths in the touching area (a-spot). |
− | by the constriction of the currents paths in the touching area | ||
− | (a-spot). | ||
− | *'''Film resistance R<sub>f</sub>''' is generated by a foreign matter layer, which for ex. is | + | *'''Film resistance R<sub>f</sub>''' <br />is generated by a foreign matter layer, which for ex. is formed by a reaction of the contact material surface with the surrounding atmosphere (a surface film is a substance on the contact surface with different properties than those of the actual contact material). |
− | formed by a reaction of the contact material surface with the surrounding | ||
− | atmosphere (a surface film is a substance on the contact surface with | ||
− | different properties than those of the actual contact material). | ||
− | *'''Path resistance R<sub>d</sub>''' is the total electrical resistance between reference | + | *'''Path resistance R<sub>d</sub>''' <br />is the total electrical resistance between reference points (usually the device terminals) which can be freely chosen but must be defined. It is the sum of the conductor resistance R<sub>b</sub> and the contact resistance R<sub>k</sub>. |
− | points (usually the device terminals) which can be freely chosen but must | ||
− | be defined. It is the sum of the conductor resistance R<sub>b</sub> and the contact resistance R<sub>k</sub>. | ||
− | *'''Contact force F<sub>k</sub>''' is the force that is exerted between the two contact | + | *'''Contact force F<sub>k</sub>''' <br />is the force that is exerted between the two contact parts in the closed position. |
− | parts in the closed position. | ||
− | *'''Frictional wear''' is the loss of material caused by mechanical wear | + | *'''Frictional wear''' <br />is the loss of material caused by mechanical wear between contact parts. |
− | between contact parts. | ||
− | *'''Bounce''' is the single or multiple interruption of conduction between | + | *'''Bounce''' <br />is the single or multiple interruption of conduction between contact parts during the make operation caused by alternating |
− | contact parts during the make operation caused by alternating | ||
transformation of kinetic to potential energy. | transformation of kinetic to potential energy. | ||
− | *'''Contact wear''' includes all changes on a contact surface. Mechanical | + | *'''Contact wear''' <br />includes all changes on a contact surface. Mechanical and electrical wear must be distinguished. |
− | and electrical wear must be distinguished. | ||
− | *'''Material transfer''' is the transfer of contact material from one contact | + | *'''Material transfer''' <br />is the transfer of contact material from one contact part to the other. It occurs mainly during switching of DC loads. The direction of the transfer depends on the load circuit properties and the contact materials used. |
− | part to the other. It occurs mainly during switching of DC loads. The | ||
− | direction of the transfer depends on the load circuit properties and the | ||
− | contact materials used. | ||
− | *'''Arc erosion''' is the loss of material into the surrounding of the contact | + | *'''Arc erosion''' <br />is the loss of material into the surrounding of the contact spot which is generated by electrical arcing. It occurs during contact make as well as break operations. |
− | spot which is generated by electrical arcing. It occurs during contact make | ||
− | as well as break operations. | ||
− | *'''Contact welding''' occurs when melt-liquefied touching areas of the | + | *'''Contact welding''' <br />occurs when melt-liquefied touching areas of the contact parts come in contact with each other. The melting occurs during high current carrying through these areas. During make operations this occurs through bounce arcs, on closed contacts a too high contact |
− | contact parts come in contact with each other. The melting occurs during | + | resistance or dynamic separation of the contacts due to high short circuit currents can cause the welding of the contacts. The welding then may |
− | high current carrying through these areas. During make operations this | + | cause a device failure if the device specific opening forces cannot break the weld connection. <br /> |
− | occurs through bounce arcs, on closed contacts a too high contact | ||
− | resistance or dynamic separation of the contacts due to high short circuit | ||
− | currents can cause the welding of the contacts. The welding then may | ||
− | cause a device failure if the device specific opening forces cannot break | ||
− | the weld connection. | ||
− | *'''Arc movement''' happens when during the break operation a sufficiently high | + | *'''Arc movement''' <br />happens when during the break operation a sufficiently high magnetic field is generated which exerts a force on the electrical arc which is then moved from the originating spot towards an arc chute (or arc splitting plates). |
− | magnetic field is generated which exerts a force on the electrical arc which is | ||
− | then moved from the originating spot towards an arc chute (or arc splitting | ||
− | plates). | ||
− | *'''Arc extinguishing''' means the process of letting the current go to zero and | + | *'''Arc extinguishing''' <br />means the process of letting the current go to zero and transferring the arcing gap from a conducting to the non-conducting stage. Selecting the most effective extinguishing measures depend mostly on the current characteristics, the current value and the circuit voltage. |
− | transferring the arcing gap from a conducting to the non-conducting stage. | ||
− | Selecting the most effective extinguishing measures depend mostly on the | ||
− | current characteristics, the current value and the circuit voltage. | ||
− | *'''Recovery''' of an arc gap during contact opening is defined as the process of | + | *'''Recovery''' <br />of an arc gap during contact opening is defined as the process of the electrically conducting plasma of an arc losing its electrical conductivity after reaching current-zero. |
− | the electrically conducting plasma of an arc losing its electrical conductivity after | ||
− | reaching current-zero. | ||
*'''Symbole used''' | *'''Symbole used''' |
Revision as of 14:21, 8 January 2014
6.4.1 Definition of Terms and Symbols
Note: The symbols for electrical contact specific terms (i.e. contact area, contact resistance, etc. have been retained from the german version of the Data Book. In related English literature some of them may vary using subscript symbols related to the language used – for example “contact resistance”: as used here from german Rk, in english mostly Rc.
- Electrical contact
is a property which is generated through the touching of two electrically conducting surfaces.
- Contact part
is a metallic component which is designed to create or interrupt an electrical contact (is frequently replaced by the term “contact” if it is clearly understandable that a physical piece or item is meant).
- Contact area
is the whole area on a contact part that may be used for contacting.
- Apparent contact area As
is the part of the contact area on contact parts that can make physical contact during the touching of two contacts.
- Load bearing contact area At
is the part of the apparent contact area which is affected by the contact force. It is the sum of all microscopic actual touching points.
- Effective contact area Aw
is the part of the load bearing contact area through which current is flowing and therefore the sum of all current carrying touching areas (a-spots), Aw< At< As.
- Contour area An
is the contiguous area which includes all effective a-spots, Aw< An< As; An≠ At.
- Contact resistance Rk
is composed of the constriction resistance and the film resistance.
- Constriction resistance Re
is the incremental electrical resistance generated by the constriction of the currents paths in the touching area (a-spot).
- Film resistance Rf
is generated by a foreign matter layer, which for ex. is formed by a reaction of the contact material surface with the surrounding atmosphere (a surface film is a substance on the contact surface with different properties than those of the actual contact material).
- Path resistance Rd
is the total electrical resistance between reference points (usually the device terminals) which can be freely chosen but must be defined. It is the sum of the conductor resistance Rb and the contact resistance Rk.
- Contact force Fk
is the force that is exerted between the two contact parts in the closed position.
- Frictional wear
is the loss of material caused by mechanical wear between contact parts.
- Bounce
is the single or multiple interruption of conduction between contact parts during the make operation caused by alternating
transformation of kinetic to potential energy.
- Contact wear
includes all changes on a contact surface. Mechanical and electrical wear must be distinguished.
- Material transfer
is the transfer of contact material from one contact part to the other. It occurs mainly during switching of DC loads. The direction of the transfer depends on the load circuit properties and the contact materials used.
- Arc erosion
is the loss of material into the surrounding of the contact spot which is generated by electrical arcing. It occurs during contact make as well as break operations.
- Contact welding
occurs when melt-liquefied touching areas of the contact parts come in contact with each other. The melting occurs during high current carrying through these areas. During make operations this occurs through bounce arcs, on closed contacts a too high contact
resistance or dynamic separation of the contacts due to high short circuit currents can cause the welding of the contacts. The welding then may
cause a device failure if the device specific opening forces cannot break the weld connection.
- Arc movement
happens when during the break operation a sufficiently high magnetic field is generated which exerts a force on the electrical arc which is then moved from the originating spot towards an arc chute (or arc splitting plates).
- Arc extinguishing
means the process of letting the current go to zero and transferring the arcing gap from a conducting to the non-conducting stage. Selecting the most effective extinguishing measures depend mostly on the current characteristics, the current value and the circuit voltage.
- Recovery
of an arc gap during contact opening is defined as the process of the electrically conducting plasma of an arc losing its electrical conductivity after reaching current-zero.
- Symbole used
bild