Computing Methodology for Switchgear

This book is based on the research conducted by the authors over a substantial period in the field of power-switching apparatuses. It encompasses recent advances and future development trends. Considering practical experience, this book focuses on theoretical studies to establish a framework for computing methodology for switchgear by accurately modeling the key functional components of switchgear products. The book provides case studies closely related to practical engineering applications. The book consists of seven chapters. Chapters 1 to 4 focus on developing mathematical models and their relevant theories and solution methods for arc simulation. These chapters focus particularly on the post-arc period and the calculation and experimental verification of material properties used directly in arc simulation. Chapters 5 and 6 introduce methods for analyzing processes related to thermal performance, mechanical stability due to the Lorentz force, and the operation of switchgear operating mechanisms. Chapter 7 provides case studies relating to switching arcs. This book is intended for R&D engineers of power switching apparatuses, as well as for academics and postgraduate researchers in the fields of electrical discharges, thermal plasmas, gas-based switching technology, and other relevant disciplines.

Mingzhe Rong was born in 1963. He received the B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from Xi'an Jiaotong University, China. He is currently a Professor with Xi'an Jiaotong University. Prof. Rong is the Senior Member of IEEE, a Fellow of the Chinese Society for Electrical Engineering (CSEE), the Deputy Director of the Academic Committee of Xi'an Jiaotong University, and a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). His research focuses on fundamentals and applications of high-voltage discharge plasma and intelligent electrical apparatus and sensing technology. He has authored four academic monographs and, as the principal investigator, received one National Technological Invention Award (Second Prize) and one National Science and Technology Progress Award (Second Prize). As the second principal investigator, he has been honored with two National Science and Technology Progress Awards (Second Prize).

Wu Yi, born in 1975, is a professor working for Xi'an Jiaotong University,China. He received the B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from Xi'an Jiaotong University. He serves as Deputy Director of the Shaanxi Provincial Engineering Laboratory for High Voltage and High Current Testing Technology and Equipment. He is also a member of the International Scientific Committee on "Gas Discharge and Their Applications," a member of Current Zero Club, and Deputy Secretary-General of the Low Voltage Apparatus Committee of the China Electrotechnical Society. His research focuses on DC interruption technology, and fundamentals and applications of high-voltage discharge plasma.

Joseph Yan obtained the BEng and MEng degrees in Engineering Thermophysics in 1986 and 1988, respectively, from Tsinghua University in Beijing. He joined the Department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics at the University of Liverpool as a postgraduate research student in 1994. Since he obtained the PhD degree in 1998, he has been a PDRA, Lecturer (2001), Senior Lecturer (2012), Reader (2014) and Professor in Applied Electromagnetism (2017). Joseph’s research interests and expertise are within atmospheric gas discharges and plasma physics, switching arcs and SF6 alternative technology, computational fluid dynamics modelling of equilibrium and non-equilibrium plasmas, HVDC insulation, and more recently in low carbon energy technologies. Joseph is an active member of the Current Zero Club and Senior Member of IEEE. He sits on the scientific committee of two major international conferences (Physics of Switching Arcs, Gas Discharges and Their Applications) in his research field.

Sun Hao, born in 1988, is a professor and doctoral supervisor. He received the B.S. degree in applied physics and the Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from Xi’an Jiaotong University in 2010 and 2016, respectively. He studied as a Joint Doctoral Student in Kanazawa University of Japan with Prof. Tanaka Yasunori from 2014 to 2015. Prof. Sun's research interests include the design and development of switchgears, arc phenomenon in switchgears, simulation and diagnosis of arc plasmas, and thermal plasma applications. His publications continuously received the IOP Publishing Top Cited Author Award (China) in 2019 and 2020. He is currently in charge of The Young Scientist Program under the National Key Research and Development Plan.