Arc phenomenon is a basic problem in the field of electrical engineering

and research in this field includes arc using and arc surppressing. It is hard to observe the physical properties of arc plasma by conventional experimental conditions

thus adoptions of modeling

calculating

experimenting and other analytical methods are regarded to be an important basis for optimizing the electrical structure and improving the technological process. On the basis of integrated arc research literatures

we reviewed the modeling mechanism and classification

the numerical calculation method

computational simulation software

application fields and testing system for arc conducted a comprehensive induction. First

arc models can be divided into external electrical characterization and internal physical-chemical characterization two modes

the former mainly focuses on the characteristics of arc external changes which regard the arc as a part of system circuit

model parameters could be defined through numerical fitting or empirical values extracted;The latter takes fluid mechanics

dynamics

thermodynamics

electromagnetism theory as modeling bases

which reflect the arc thermal plasma dynamic physical-chemical process of internal overall macroscopic fluid properties and particles microscopic properties

and belongs to the internal mechanism of arc formation analysis. Second

in numerical calculations

the conventional numerical computation and experiments are introduced in the field of content

difference and applicable scope

and subtotaling the numerical methods. According to the difference between the application object of arc model and application field

we introduce the calculation process and steps of several typical models. Third

we summarize the current commercial simulation software

introduces the algorithm

characteristics and operation steps

and summarize the applicable scope and field. Finally

according to the application field of arc and the background parameters of arc

we analyze the applicable theory basis and model type

review the using of test method and platform in different application occasions

and point out the importance of arc testing.