115

Comprehensive Experimental Database and Model Fitting for Electric Arc Behavior in Aircraft Environments

S. Bogarra(1), M. Moreno-Eguilaz(2), J.A Ortega-Redondo(2) and J.-R. Riba(1)

1. Department of Electrical Engineering. Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Campus of Terrassa, (Spain)

2. Department of Electronic Engineering. Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya Campus of Terrassa, (Spain)

2026-01-20

The More Electric Aircraft (MEA) paradigmadvocates weight reduction by transitioning to electrical components, resulting in increased system voltage and higher arc fault risk. This paper presents a methodology for creating a database of nearly one thousand tests simulating parallel arc faults, using Andrea's arc model for accurate representation. Objectives include the creation of a robust experimental database and the use of a simplified model to analyze arcing behavior. The setup follows the UL 746A standard and considers various pressure and electrode separation conditions. The database includes 960 experiments with PVC and PTFE materials, and model fitting ensures accurate representation of arc currents and voltages. Error analysis shows consistent model performance across materials and highlights sensitivity to electrode spacing, pressure, and source voltage. The paper concludes with a clear 30% error threshold for model validity, enhancing the understanding of the applicability of Andrea's model under various experimental scenarios in aircraft environments.

Key words: More electric aircraft, electric arc modelling, low pressure, model fitting, experimental database.

[1] A. Chabert, P. Schweitzer, S. Weber and J. Andrea, “State-space simulation of electric arc faults”, IEEE Transactions on Aerospace and Electronic Systems (2022), Vol. 58, no. 3, pp. 1650-1659.

[2] J. L. Zhang, J. D. Yan, A. B. Murphy, W. Hall and M. T. C. Fang, “Computational investigation of arc behavior in an auto-expansion circuit breaker contaminated by ablated nozzle vapor”, IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science (2002), vol. 30, no. 2, pp. 706-719.

[3] C. L. Yao, H. C. Zhu, Z. H. Jiang and T. Pan, “Numerical analysis of fluid flow and heat transfer by means of a unified model in a direct current electric arc furnace”, Steel Research International (2021), vol. 92, no. 6, pp. 2000664.

[4] Z. Liu, Y. Li and Y. Su, “Simulation and analysis of heat transfer and fluid flow characteristics of arc plasma in longitudinal magnetic field-tungsten inert gas hybrid welding”, International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology (2018), vol. 98, pp. 2015-2030.

[5] J. D. Hernández, L. Onofri and S. Engell, “Numerical estimation of the geometry and temperature of an alternating current steelmaking electric arc”, Steel Research International (2021), vol. 92, no 3, pp. 2000386.

[6] F. Jiang, X. Gao, B. Xu, G. Zhang, C. Fan, S. Tashiro and S. Chen, “Numerical analysis of arc physics and energy transfer under circumferential gas constraint effect”, International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer (2024), vol. 221, pp. 125082.

[7] A. Khakpour, S. Franke, S. Gortschakow, D. Uhrlandt, R. Methling and K.D. Weltmann, “An improved arc model based on the arc diameter”, IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery (2016), vol. 31, no. 3, pp. 1335-1341.

[8] A. Khakpour, D. Uhrlandt, R. Methling, S. Gortschakow, S. Franke, M.T. Imani and K.D. Weltmann, “Impact of temperature changing on voltage and power of an electric arc”, Electric Power Systems Research (2017), vol. 143, pp. 73-83.

[9] A. Balestrero, L. Ghezzi, M. Popov, G. Tribulato and L. van der Sluis, “Black box modeling of low-voltage circuit breakers”, IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery (2010), vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 2481-2488.

[10] J. He, K. Wang and J. Li, “Application of an improved Mayr-type arc model in pyro-breakers utilized in superconducting fusion facilities”, Energies (2021), vol. 14, no. 14, pp. 4383.

[11] K.H. Park, H.Y. Lee, M. Asif and B.W. Lee, “Parameter identification of dc black‐box arc model using non‐linear least squares”, The Journal of Engineering (2019), vol. 2019, no. 16, pp. 2202-2206.

[12] J. Andrea, P. Besdel, O. Zirn and M. Bournat, “The electric arc as a circuit component”, IECON 2015-41st Annual Conference of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society (2015), pp. 003027-003034.

[13] J. Andrea, P. Schweitzer and J.M. Martel, “Arc fault model of conductance. Application to the UL1699 tests modelling”, IEEE 57th Holm Conference on Electrical Contacts (2011), pp. 1-6.

[14] U. Habedank, “Application of a new arc model for the evaluation of short-circuit breaking tests”, IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery (1993), vol. 8, no. 4, pp. 1921-1925.

[15] S. Golestani and H. Samet, “Generalised Cassie–Mayr electric arc furnace models”, IET Generation, Transmission & Distribution (2016), vol. 10, no. 13, pp. 3364-3373.

[16] M. Walter and C. Franck, “Improved method for direct black-box arc parameter determination and model validation”, IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery (2014), vol. 29, no. 2, pp. 580-588.

[17] A. Khakpour, S. Franke, D. Uhrlandt, S. Gortschakow and R. Methling, “Electrical arc model based on physical parameters and power calculation”, IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science (2015), vol. 43, no. 8, pp. 2721-2729.

[18] J. Andrea, M. Bournat, R. Landfried, P. Testé, S. Weber, and P. Schweitzer, “Model of an electric arc for circuit analysis”, Proc. 28th Int. Conf. Electr. Contacts (2016), pp. 361–366.

[19] J. Andrea, M. Buffo, E. Guillard, R. Landfried, R. Boukadoum and P. Teste, “Arcing fault in aircraft distribution network”, Proc. IEEE Holm Conf. Elect. Contacts (2017), pp. 317–324.

[20] J.-R. Riba, M. Moreno-Eguilaz and S. Bogarra, “Tracking resistance in polymeric insulation materials for high-voltage electrical mobility applications evaluated by existing test methods: identified research needs”, Polymers (2023), vol. 15, no.18, pp. 3717.

[21] UL 746A, “Polymeric Materials—Short Term Property Evaluations”, UL: Northbrook, IL, USA (2012), pp. 1–48.

[22] J.-R. Riba, M. Moreno-Eguilaz and J.A. Ortega, “Arc fault protections for aeronautic applications: a review identifying the effects, detection methods, current progress, limitations, future challenges, and research needs”, IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement (2022), vol. 71, pp. 1-14.

[23] J.-R. Riba, Á. Gómez-Pau, M. Moreno-Eguilaz and S. Bogarra, “Arc tracking control in insulation systems for aeronautic applications: Challenges, opportunities, and research needs”, Sensors (2020), vol. 20, no. 6, pp. 1654.