Behavior of Line Contacts Upon the Effect of Fault Currents

The effect of the passage of high-fault currents (5 kA to 50 kA) through closed contacts has been measured. The contact surfaces were designed so that a region of line contact was established. After the passage of the high current, the contact resistance and the contact weld force were measured. A model of the line contact resistance was established which took into account the heating effects of the current. It was shown, to a first approximation, that the line contact resistance was proportional to the temperature of the contact zone.