Measurement of metallic bridge and electric discharge at the electric contacts using the LiNbO{sub}3 piezoelectric actuator

摘要

Automatic measurement apparatus that can evaluate bridge and electrical discharge phenomena is examined. A LiNbO{sub}3 piezo-electric actuator was used to open and shut the electric contacts. There is neither hysteresis nor creep phenomenon during operation because it is monocrystalline and has an oppositely polarized plate. Moreover, contact load can be calculated using the Finite Element Method. Electrode displacement and current and voltage between contacts, actuator driving voltage were measured and recorded at the Au-Au contact. The length of the bridge, the electrical discharge continuance time, and the contact load were calculated from measurement data and statistical processing was carried out.