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Trajectories of sparks from arcing aluminum power cables

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Abstract

Can sparks produced by arcing overhead aluminum power distribution lines ignite a brush fire? A model of aluminum droplet combustion is proposed and used to calculate combustion rates, lifetimes, and trajectories of such sparks for various wind conditions. Although there are some uncertainties in the modeling, the results show that sparks of about 1 mm initial diameter can reach the ground before burning up. Large sparks (1.5 mm diameter) can travel more than 200 m before impact. Since the spark flame temperature is about 3,800 K, subsequent ignition of dry brush is quite possible.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wangtine Power Plant, University of Auckland and Xu Hang, Suzhou, China

    A. F. Mills

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  1. A. F. Mills
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Reference: Mills, A. F. and xu Hang, “Trajectories of Sparks from Arcing Aluminum Power Cables,” Fire Technology, Vol. 20, No. 2, May 1984, p. 5.

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Mills, A.F. Trajectories of sparks from arcing aluminum power cables. Fire Technol 20, 5–14 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02384146

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02384146

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