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Thermal Analysis of The Fuse With Unequal Fuse Links Using Finite Element Method
Thermal Analysis of The Fuse With Unequal Fuse Links Using Finite Element Method
Thermal Analysis of The Fuse With Unequal Fuse Links Using Finite Element Method
experimental tests have been done. There is a good correlation elements of the fuses are described by exact or semi-empirical
between experimental and simulation results. analytical equations, and combined with iterative solution
procedures. In [3],[4] the fuse link is represented by an
Keywords—Electric fuse, fuse links, temperature distribution, equivalent R-C network. Other simulations discretize the fuse
thermal analysis.
link including its conductor according to finite element, in [5]-
[8], or finite difference schemes, like in [9]. Numerical
I. INTRODUCTION
methods for studying the prearcing times of high breaking
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International Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Vol:6, No:12, 2012
Qa. For the above thermal power quantities, the following where [N] is the matrix of shape functions and [B] is the
equations can be written: matrix for temperature gradients interpolation. Shape
functions Ni are used for interpolation of temperature and
∂θ temperature gradients inside a finite element:
Qc = ∫∫∫ ρj 2 dV ; Qt = ∫∫∫ γc dV ;
∂t θ = [N ]{θ }, [N ] = [N1 N 2 N 3 ...], {θ } = {θ1 θ 2 θ 3 ...}
Q r = ∫∫∫ div(λ ⋅ gradθ )dV ; (2)
⎧ ∂θ ⎫ ⎡ ∂N1 ∂N 2 ∂N 3 ⎤
⎪ ⎪ ⎢ ∂x ...⎥
Q a = ∫∫∫ k
l
(θ − θ a )dV ⎪ ∂x ⎪ ⎢ ∂x ∂x ⎥
Sf
⎪ ∂θ ⎪ ⎢ ∂N1 ∂N 2 ∂N 3 ⎥ (5)
⎨ ⎬=⎢ ... {θ } = [B ]{θ }
⎪ ∂y ⎪ ⎢ ∂y ∂y ∂y ⎥
where: ⎥
⎪ ∂θ ⎪ ⎢ ∂N1 ∂N 2 ∂N 3 ⎥
ρ means the electrical resistivity; ⎪ ⎪ ⎢ ...⎥
j – current density; ⎩ ∂z ⎭ ⎣ ∂z ∂z ∂z ⎦
γ – material density;
The finite element equations corresponding to the heat
c – specific heat;
transfer have the following matrix form:
λ – thermal conductivity;
θ – temperature; [A]{θ&}+ ([Lc ] + [Lk ]){θ } = {RQ }+ {Rk } (6)
International Science Index, Electrical and Computer Engineering Vol:6, No:12, 2012 waset.org/Publication/2497
θa – ambient temperature;
k - convection coefficient; [A] = ∫ [N ]T γc[N ]dV ; [Lc ] = ∫ [B]T λ [B]dV ;
l – perimeter length of the fuse link cross-section; V V
(7)
Sf – cross-section of the fuse link. [Lk ] = ∫ [N ] k [N ]dS
T
Therefore, S
∂θ
[RQ ] = ∫ ρj 2 [N ]T dV ; [Rk ] = ∫ kθ a [N ]T dS (8)
2
∫∫∫ ρj dV = ∫∫∫ γc ∂t dV − ∫∫∫ div(λ ⋅ gradθ )dV +
V S
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5
3
6 4 2 1
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Fig. 1 Thermal model of the high breaking capacity fuse (1 – inner cap; 2 – silica sand; 3 – ceramic body; 4 – fuse link; 5 – outer cap; 6 – alloy
M-effect; 7 – knife contact; 8 – screws)
Fig. 2 Temperature distribution through the most thermally loaded fuse link, at current value of 200A and asymmetry coefficient equal with 2
Fig. 3 Temperature distribution through the least thermally loaded fuse link, at current value of 200A and asymmetry coefficient equal with 2
International Scholarly and Scientific Research & Innovation 6(12) 2012 1449 scholar.waset.org/1307-6892/2497
World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
International Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Vol:6, No:12, 2012
and taking into account the hypothesis I1 = aI2, results, 19.5W/m2ºC. It was considered the convection condition like
boundary condition for the outer boundaries such as outer
R2 caps, knife contacts, screws, ceramic body and it has been
R1 = (11) applied on surfaces with an uniform spatial variation and a
a
bulk temperature of 25ºC.
The power losses for both fuse links have the well known Further on, some steady state thermal simulations have been
expressions: done. The temperature distribution inside the fuse through the
most thermally loaded fuse link is shown in Fig. 2 and through
the least thermally loaded fuse element is presented in Fig. 3.
P1 = R1 I 12 ; P2 = R 2 I 22 and P1 + P2 = P (12) In Fig. 4 is shown the temperature distribution at a half cross-
section through whole fuse. It is to observe the higher
Including (9) and (11) in (12), it obtains the following temperatures on the right side of the fuse cross-section which
expressions for the power losses, match to the most thermally loaded fuse link. In order to better
outline the fuse links temperature distribution, in Fig. 5 only
a 1 the fuse elements are depicted.
P1 = P; P2 = P (13)
a +1 a +1
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International Scholarly and Scientific Research & Innovation 6(12) 2012 1450 scholar.waset.org/1307-6892/2497
World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
International Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Vol:6, No:12, 2012
International Science Index, Electrical and Computer Engineering Vol:6, No:12, 2012 waset.org/Publication/2497
Fig. 5 Temperature distribution only for both fuses links at electric current value of 200A and asymmetry coefficient equal with 2
100
95
90
85
θ[°C]
80
75
70
65
60
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
x[mm]
Fig. 6 Temperature distribution along the fuse links for current value of 160A and different asymmetry coefficient a =1; 1.5; 2. Comparison
between simulation (θsim_a_1, θsimf1_a_1.5, θsimf1_a_2, θsimf2_a_1.5, θsimf2_a_2) and experimental values (θexp_a_1, θexpf1_a_1.5,
θexpf1_a_2, θexpf2_a_1.5, θexpf2_a_2)
This is due to the notches made on the fuse links in order to It can be noticed the increasing of the difference between
clear the fault current as soon as possible and to interrupt the maximum temperatures of the most thermally loaded fuse link
electric circuit without high over voltages. In Fig. 4 is shown (θsimf1_a_1.5, θsimf1_a_2) and the least thermally loaded
the temperature distribution through the fuse at 50% cross- fuse link (θsimf2_a_1.5, θsimf2_a_2). When the asymmetry
section with the aim to outline the difference between coefficient is equal with 2, this difference is about 10.84°C. A
maximum temperatures of both fuse links. The thermal comparison between fuse links lengthwise temperature
simulations have been performed considering an electric distribution for current variation from 120 to 200A, with the
current of 200A, the asymmetry coefficient equal with 2, and asymmetry coefficient a = 2, is presented in Fig. 7. As
the ambient temperature about 25°C. The maximum expected, when the current increases, the difference between
temperature for the most thermally loaded fuse link is maximum temperatures of the fuse links increases too. Thus,
135.59°C and for the least thermally loaded fuse link is about at the current value of 200A, the maximum temperature of the
119.31°C. most thermally loaded fuse link (θsimf1_200A) is 135.59°C
The fuse link lengthwise temperature distribution at and the maximum temperature of the least thermally loaded
different values of asymmetry coefficient, in the case of total fuse link (θsimf2_200A) is 118.31°C.
current through the fuse equal with the rated one, is shown in
Fig. 6.
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International Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Vol:6, No:12, 2012
140
130
120
110
100
θ[°C]
90
80
70
60
50
40
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
x[mm]
Fig. 7 Temperature distribution along the fuse links for current value of 120, 160 and 200A and asymmetry coefficient a = 2. Comparison
between simulation (θsimf1_120A, θsimf1_160A, θsimf1_200A, θsimf2_120A, θsimf2_160A, θsimf2_200A) and experimental values
(θexpf1_120A, θexpf1_160A, θexpf1_200A, θexpf2_120A, θexpf2_160A, θexpf2_200A)
130
120
110
100
90
θ[°C]
80
70
60
50
40
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
x[mm]
Fig. 8 Temperature distribution along the fuse links for ambient temperature of 5, 15, 25, 35 and 55°C. Comparison between simulation results
of the most thermally loaded fuse link (θsimf1_5, θsimf1_15, θsimf1_25, θsimf1_35, θsimf1_55) and the least thermally loaded fuse link
(θsimf2_5, θsimf2_15, θsimf2_25, θsimf2_35, θsimf2_55)
When the ambient temperature varies from 5 to 55°C (Fig. It can be noticed that there was a relatively fast increase in
8), the temperature distribution curves along the fuse links, the temperature and that after approximately 4000 seconds,
translates on vertical direction, from the maximum the values are stabilized. A comparison between time
temperature of 75.66 to 125.66°C in the case of the most evolutions of the maximum temperatures of both fuse links at
thermally loaded fuse link, and from 64.82 to 114.82°C in the different current values (from 160 to 200A) when the
case of the least thermally loaded fuse link. The current asymmetry coefficient was equal with 2, is presented in Fig.
through the fuse was at the value of 160A, the rated one. 10. In this case, the temperatures achieve the steady-state
The time evolutions of the maximum temperature of the fuse conditions after approximate 4500 seconds.
links when the asymmetry coefficient varies from 1 to 2 at the
total current of 160A through the fuse, are depicted in Fig. 9.
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World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
International Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Vol:6, No:12, 2012
100
90
80
70
θ[°C]
60
50
40
30
20
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000
t[s]
Fig. 9 Maximum fuse links temperature time evolution for current value of 160A and different asymmetry coefficient a =1; 1.5; 2. Comparison
between simulation (θsim_a1, θsimf1_a1.5, θsimf1_a2, θsimf2_a1.5, θsimf2_a2) and experimental values (θexp_a1, θexpf1_a1.5, θexpf1_a2,
θexpf2_a1.5, θexpf2_a2)
140
120
100
θ[°C]
80
60
40
20
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000
t[s]
Fig. 10 Maximum fuse links temperature time evolution for current value of 120, 160 and 200A with the asymmetry coefficient a = 2.
Comparison between simulation (θsimf1_120A, θsimf1_160A, θsimf1_200A, θsimf2_120A, θsimf2_160A, θsimf2_200A) and experimental
values (θexpf1_120A, θexpf1_160A, θexpf1_200A, θexpf2_120A, θexpf2_160A, θexpf2_200A)
A
K
ATR CS
CT PC/DAQ
Th1
~
F
Th2
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International Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Vol:6, No:12, 2012
To validate the simulation results, some experimental tests [3] J. Gelet, D. Tournier, and M. Ruggiero, “Evaluation of thermal and
electrical behaviour of fuses in case of paralleling and/or high
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Cavallé, “A model for pre-arcing behaviour simulation of H.V. full-
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International Science Index, Electrical and Computer Engineering Vol:6, No:12, 2012 waset.org/Publication/2497
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[2] R. Wilkins, “Steady-state current sharing in fuses with asymmetrical
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Vol:6, No:12, 2012
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