In this paper, a two-dimensional axisymmetric module of gas arc extinguishing was simulated using energy balance theories. We used simulation to study the energy distribution change during the gas arc-extinguishing process. We built a lightning impulse current experimental platform according to the IEC standard, and experiments verified the preliminary conclusions of the simulation. Comparison curves of the experimental data and simulation calculations were drawn in the range of 20 kV to 70 kV. Simulation and experimental results showed that the arc-extinguishing ability of long-gap gas arcs is negatively correlated with voltage level and positively correlated with distance. Furthermore, within the allowable range of conditions, increasing the length of the chamber rather than shortening it helps to extinguish the arc more effectively and quickly.

Using lightning energy to extinguish the arc is a new lightning protection method. On this basis, the semi-closed multi-compression tube structures (SMTS) combined with the arc extinguishing structure studied in this paper can suppress the power frequency arc at the initial stage of arc establishment by using the coupling effect of current and gas. Firstly, through the simulation comparison method, the promotion effect of the semi-closed tube on the arc discharge was found. Furthermore, the two-dimensional impulse power frequency current coupling discharge model was established to obtain changes in physical quantities, such as temperature and conductivity. The conductivity decreased to the initial value in about 1 ms. Finally, the impulse power frequency combined arc extinguishing test was carried out. The test results show that the arc extinguishing structure can effectively extinguish power frequency freewheeling within 1 ms. It proves the effectiveness of the arc extinguishing structure.