Abstract:
External environmental factors play a significant influence on the characteristics of series arc faults and their heat transfer behaviors. Clarifying the coupling effect mechanism of atmospheric pressure and wind speed is crucial for the prevention and control of electrical fires. In this study, a two-dimensional axisymmetric magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) simulation model was established based on COMSOL Multiphysics. By adopting a two-dimensional orthogonal experimental design, the characteristics of temperature field, electrical parameters and energy evolution of low-voltage AC series arc faults were systematically investigated under the coupling conditions of three levels of atmospheric pressure (0.6 atm, 0.8 atm, 1.0 atm) and two levels of wind speed (2 m/s, 4 m/s). The mean temperature, temperature integral, root mean square (RMS) values of current and voltage, as well as arc energy, were selected as the core evaluation indices. The results indicate that wind speed mainly reduces the temperature of the arc column periphery by enhancing convective heat transfer, while its impact on the arc core region is limited. High wind speed intensifies the morphological fluctuation of the arc column, leading to a significant decrease in the RMS value of voltage, whereas the current is barely affected by aerodynamic conditions. The combination of low atmospheric pressure and high wind speed stretches the arc morphology, exacerbates the asymmetric distribution of the temperature field, and impairs arc stability. Under the multi-factor coupling conditions, wind speed plays a dominant role in regulating the temperature field distribution and energy release of the arc, compared with atmospheric pressure. This research deepens the physical understanding of series arc faults under complex environmental conditions, and provides a theoretical basis for the optimization of arc fault detection systems and the prevention of electrical fires.