PrometheusSmith
PrometheusSmith t1_it5jkwl wrote
Reply to comment by shardarkar in Power outlets have a faint smell. by napstur
The real hero though is AC current, allowing the voltage to help break the arc as well.
PrometheusSmith t1_it547jz wrote
Reply to comment by jib_reddit in Power outlets have a faint smell. by napstur
Just moves the arc of breaking the circuit to a different location, albeit one that is much more effective at breaking the current.
PrometheusSmith t1_it769s0 wrote
Reply to comment by wj9eh in Power outlets have a faint smell. by napstur
Arc length is determined in part by voltage. DC would be constant so you'd be breaking the arc at full voltage. With AC the voltage cycles through 0 60 times a second, allowing the arc to dissipate naturally and it cannot reform because the voltage required to maintain an arc is lower than what is required to start it.