Multiple Arc Contraction in the Anode Region

Magnetogasdynamic equations are used to calculate the characteristics of an open high-current arc burning between a tapered cathode and a flat anode in argon at atmospheric pressure for different values of current strength and interelectrode spacing. The possibility is established of splitting the arc in the anode region into current-conducting channels with contracted connections to the electrode surface. The calculation results are qualitatively consistent with the experimental data.