This paper concerns the effects of electrodynamic forces that act on current paths that are part of high-grade industrial distribution switchgear. This work is composed of experimental and simulation sections. In the experimental section, the short-circuit tests are presented and the occurrence of electrodynamic forces are shown in a visible way. The formation of electrodynamic forces in the current circuits of electrical energy distribution systems is related to the flow of high currents, but mostly it is related to short-circuit currents. In order to highlight these phenomena, the detailed specification of the parameters during tests is displayed. In the simulation section, the physical phenomenon of electrodynamic forces is being captured by employing a detailed real-scale model of switchgear and current paths. Therefore, the authors proposed employment of the FEM (finite element method) in order to obtain values of electrodynamic forces acting on the current paths by executing the detailed 3D coupled simulation. The analysis of the results and aftermath effects of their interactions provided interesting conclusions that concerned the operation of such power distribution layouts in critical short-circuit conditions.

This paper deals with the effect of electrodynamic forces acting on the primary current paths of residual current circuit breakers. This paper consists of a simulation part and an experimental part from the short-circuit tests performed. The experimental part presents short-circuit tests and shows the occurrence of electrodynamic forces in a visible way. The formation of electrodynamic forces in the current paths of residual current circuit breakers is associated with the flow of large currents but primarily with short-circuit currents. To highlight this phenomenon, a detailed specification of the parameters during the tests was presented. In the simulation part, the physical phenomenon of electrodynamic forces was captured by using a detailed 3D model of residual current circuit breakers and real-scale current paths. Accordingly, the authors proposed a new method using finite element analysis to obtain the values of electrodynamic forces acting on the current paths of the residual current circuit breaker by performing a detailed 3D-coupled simulation. The analysis of the obtained results and the subsequent effects of their interactions provided interesting conclusions, allowing us to improve the circuit breaker design to withstand critical short-circuit conditions.