2007-05-25 16:11:21 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
Not always. You might get a little spark, but there is usually something visible. One specific switch (that always is interrupting the same segment of line) can have big or little sparks depends on the humidity and other weather conditions.
It depends on the type of switch and what it's connected to. Long transmission lines can create larger sparks.
The first video below is when a load break device failed to clear the arc first. You will notice that two of the three phases did not draw a big arc.
2007-05-26 10:29:31 · answer #1 · answered by Thomas C 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Almost all loads served by switches in this voltage range are inductive, so there will be an arc every time the switch is opened unless the switch is opened at exactly the time the current passes through 0. This is impossible for two phases in a three-phase circuit unless all downstream loads are shut off first.
2007-05-25 23:58:24 · answer #2 · answered by Helmut 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, unless there is a load on it. A spark can only occur if the circuit which need to be opened by the switch was having current flowing on it.
2007-05-25 23:32:32 · answer #3 · answered by dongskie mcmelenccx 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not always but I have noticed it will do it on average 2 out of every 10 times at least.
2007-05-25 23:19:15 · answer #4 · answered by Jim C 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the load of the circuit. If it has a lot of amperage on it then it will get very interesting!
2007-05-25 23:19:36 · answer #5 · answered by Sheriff of Yahoo! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋