Electric arc
An electric arc is an
electrical breakdown of a gas which produces an ongoing
plasma discharge, similar to the instant
spark, resulting from a current flowing through normally nonconductive media such as air. An archaic term is voltaic arc as used in the phrase "voltaic arc lamp".
The various shapes of electric arc are
emergent properties of nonlinear patterns of
current and
electric field. The arc occurs in the gas-filled space between two conductive electrodes and it results in a very high temperature, capable of melting or
vaporizing virtually anything.
Encyclopedia
An
electric arc is an
electrical breakdown of a gas which produces an ongoing
plasma discharge, similar to the instant
spark, resulting from a current flowing through normally nonconductive media such as air. An archaic term is
voltaic arc as used in the phrase "voltaic arc lamp".
The various shapes of electric arc are
emergent properties of nonlinear patterns of
current and
electric field. The arc occurs in the gas-filled space between two conductive electrodes and it results in a very high temperature, capable of melting or
vaporizing virtually anything.
On a commercial basis, electric arcs are used for
welding, plasma cutting, for
electrical discharge machining, as an
arc lamp in
movie theater projectors and
Followspots in
stage lighting.
Electric arc furnaces are used to produce
steel and other substances.
Calcium carbide is made in this way as it requires a large amount of energy to promote an endothermic
reaction .
Low-pressure electric arcs are used for lighting, e.g.,
fluorescent tubes, mercury and sodium
street lamps, camera flash lamps, plasma displays, and
neon signs.
Undesired or unintended electric arcing can have detrimental effects on
Electric power transmission systems and
electronic equipment.
See also
External links
