Analysis of Breaking Characteristics of C₄F₇N/CO₂ Mixture Gas in Circuit Breaker

Abstract

In recent years, the C4F7N mixed gas has attracted considerable attention for its outstanding insulation and arc-extinguishing capabilities, positioning it as a potential substitute for sulfur hexafluoride, SF6. However, there remains a limited understanding of the arc-extinguishing and insulation performance of C4F7N/CO2 mixed gas. In addition, there is limited research on high-current breaking in circuit breakers. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the arc characteristics and breaking behavior of 10%C4F7N/90%CO2 and 15%C4F7N/85%CO2 mixed gases using a magnetohydrodynamic model based on the 252kV air pressure circuit breaker. The dynamic characteristics of this mixed gas are compared with pure SF6 under short-circuit current breaking conditions, while analyzing different parameters of the C4F7N configuration. The results indicate that the mixed gas exhibits lower levels in terms of arc temperature, axial diffusion distance and pressure difference at the moment of arc initiation compared to pure SF6. Furthermore, increasing the inflating pressure can effectively enhance the breaking performance of the circuit breaker with 0.6 MPa, making it more suitable. Additionally, increasing the proportion of C4F7N in the mixed gases will cause the arc temperature to rise slightly at the initial arc and current crossing zero, but decrease at the peak current. The core pressure also rises significantly, with a greater pressure difference established in the compressor at moment of arc initiation. This study provides a reference for the design of an environmentally friendly circuit breaker and the selection of the mixed gas ratio.

Keywords

• SF₆ alternative gas
• C₄F₇N/CO₂
• arc temperature
• pressure characteristic