Arc chute is a set of parallel arranged metal plates that extinguishes the arc formed when the circuit breaker interrupts the high electric current.
It is also known by other names such as arc dividers or arc splitters. It is an important component of the circuit breaker. These metal plates have an equal air gap between them.
These metal plates are made up of ferromagnetic material. The arc chutes are placed near the circuit breaker contacts.
When a fault occurs, a circuit breaker interrupts the electric current by moving the contacts apart.
The arc is produced when the two contacts start separating from each other. This arc produces a large amount of heat.
This heat is capable of melting the circuit breaker contacts. Hence this can damage the circuit breaker.
Arc chute is consisting of metallic or nonmetallic fins positioned in the equal air gap.
It is used to quenching the arc being produced during circuit is opening.
During high current breaking, the arcs are prolonged when moving outwards, arc chute decreases the voltage to distance (V/m) ratio.
Every air circuit breaker is fitted with a chamber surrounding the contact.
This chamber is called 'arc chute'. The arc is driven into it. If inside of the arc chute is suitably shaped, and if the arc can be made conform to the shape, the arc chute wall will help to achieve cooling.
So there is a need to safely extinguish this arc to prevent any damage to the circuit breaker.
The arc produced is attracted towards the arc chute’s metal plates as it is made up of ferromagnetic material.
These plates cause the arc to spread and further splits into small parts. This will increase the arc length and lead the arc to cool down. Finally, the arc extinguishes.
