Technical Terms

Arc discharge can be defined as an electrical discharge of high current at low voltage. It has a characteristic of sustaining discharge while emitting many thermal electrons from a high-temperature cathode.

The arc dischrage has two methods: hot cathode arc discharge and cold cathode arc discharge. The hot cathode arc discharge occurs under the cathode is heated and emits thermal electrons.
Hot cathode arc discharge is used to generate plasma for fluorescent lamps, xenon lamps, metal hydride lamps, mercury lamps, and other light sources, as well as thermal plasma and plasma torches.
In cold cathode arc discharge, on the other hand, electrons are directly emitted by a very strong electric field on the cathode surface. A different discharge phenomenon, glow discharge, is used for cold cathode discharge lamps (CCFLs).

Fluorescent lights are the most typical applications in arc discharge. The heat electrons emit and collide with mercury electrons inside the fluorescent tube, generating ultraviolet light. Then, the phosphor-coated inside the tube is emitted by the ultraviolet.
The arc discharge is also used in metal processing, such as arc welding and electrical discharge machining, while it involves many risks because of its high temperatures. Matsusada Precision offers arc discharge solutions and high voltage power supplies to prevent unwanted arc discharge.