ECN Electrical Forum - Discussion Forums for Electricians, Inspectors and Related Professionals
ECN Shout Chat
ShoutChat
Recent Posts
Increasing demand factors in residential
by gfretwell - 03/28/24 12:43 AM
Portable generator question
by Steve Miller - 03/19/24 08:50 PM
Do we need grounding?
by NORCAL - 03/19/24 05:11 PM
240V only in a home and NEC?
by dsk - 03/19/24 06:33 AM
Cordless Tools: The Obvious Question
by renosteinke - 03/14/24 08:05 PM
New in the Gallery:
This is a new one
This is a new one
by timmp, September 24
Few pics I found
Few pics I found
by timmp, August 15
Who's Online Now
1 members (Scott35), 260 guests, and 19 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
#93271 05/10/05 01:13 PM
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 73
D
dlhoule Offline OP
Member
Anybody know what a blowout is? I recently came across a symbol on an electrical print, very similar to a solenoid symbol labeled blowout. It is not a solenoid. What is it?

Stay up to Code with the Latest NEC:


>> 2023 NEC & Related Reference & Exam Prep
2023 NEC & Related Reference & Study Guides

Pass Your Exam the FIRST TIME with the Latest NEC & Exam Prep

>> 2020 NEC & Related Reference & Study Guides
 

#93272 05/10/05 06:43 PM
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 806
N
Member
I have seen the term used to refer to a device that "blows out" or extinguishes an arc drawn between separating contacts, especially on DC systems.

I have seen them take the form of magnets along the sides of the arc chute, or a solenoid operated device that generates a short puff of air which is directed into the contact gap.

#93273 05/10/05 10:49 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,056
R
Member
I believe a "blowout coil" uses the actual magnetic field generated by the coil to extinguish the arc by repeling or pushing it away from the contacts.
I have a detailed explanation in a book somewhere. I'll look it up.

[This message has been edited by Redsy (edited 05-10-2005).]

#93274 05/11/05 12:34 PM
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 73
D
dlhoule Offline OP
Member
Thanks guys.

Redsy, I would appreciate any more info you might be able to come up with.

#93275 05/20/05 05:40 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,056
R
Member
Sorry, dhoule, my computer has been in the shop for 10 days.
Basically, the contacts are mounted on the middle of curved strips called horns.
As the arc forms across the contacts the magnetic field of the blowout coil pushes it up the curved pieces of the horn, which, since they are curved outward from each other increasingly lengthens the arc to the point of which it can no longer sustain, and therefore extinguishes.

This is in the book, "Electric Motor Control" by Walter Alerich. Published by Delmar.

[This message has been edited by Redsy (edited 05-20-2005).]

#93276 05/23/05 09:37 AM
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 73
D
dlhoule Offline OP
Member
Thanks, Redsy!

Actually, if I understand things correctly there are several different patents for blow outs, and I believe the one you are describing is the most effective for most applications.

#93277 05/23/05 10:28 AM
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 582
R
Ron Offline
Member


Ron
#93278 05/23/05 06:39 PM
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,803
Member
An old (1920s) device had a spring loaded fuse-wire which was contained with carbon tetrachloride in a glass tube. The chemical vapor doused the arc as the melted fuse-ends were whipped apart. Used only on high voltage/low amps instrumentation transformers where the cost of a full breaker set was not economically justified.
Alan.


Wood work but can't!
#93279 05/24/05 09:53 AM
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 73
D
dlhoule Offline OP
Member
Thanks Alan,

That was a little bit before my time. I got started in 1960 and haven't had much experience on things pre WWII. I love this forum. I am learning a lot from it.

#93280 05/24/05 02:11 PM
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 178
J
Member
Ditto the learning comment -- I never realized how complex a high-voltage switch could get.

By the way, in case you guys have never seen it, this has got to be the coolest movie ever of a switch arc:
http://205.243.100.155/frames/longarc.htm#500_kV_Switch

Page 1 of 2 1 2

Link Copied to Clipboard
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5