Tools for simulation of the internal arc effects in HV and MV switchgear

Recognizing the increasing role of commercial and “homemade” modeling software in the power industry, CIGRE Study Committee A3 established the WG A3.24 to study the physical effects of the internal arc and assess the calculation methods and software tools that can be used to simulate those effects. After review of the published papers and data analysis of more than 80 internal arc tests, the authors agreed that software simulations cannot replace type tests on the new piece of switchgear equipment. However - if the arc voltage is known from the test on the similar switchgear equipment - software tools could be used for interpolation between the known tests, make good predictions and thus reduce the number of type tests. It also can validate different installation conditions, including different exhaust channels/ducts and different size relief openings.