System level and multiphysics approaches to simulate low voltage circuit breaker interruption

We present a system level model for estimates of the energy input and pressure build-up in low-voltage circuit breakers during short-circuit interruption. The results obtained with this model agree well with electrical and pressure measurements on the ABB Emax E4.2 air circuit breaker. The results are also consistent with computationally more expensive three-dimensional magneto-hydrodynamics multiphysics simulations. Therefore, the system level model described in this work can be used to support the design of air circuit breakers to achieve higher performance with challenging external constraints.