**4. Summary**

The conducted study clarified that there is a clear influence of initiation behavior of the drawn arc on the electrode temperature, which is about 100 K (8%) higher in case of outer radial position measured directly after current interruption. Cr vapor density after current interruption is about 10% higher for outer radial positions. Therefore, it can be concluded that arc ignition in outer regions leads to higher local anode temperature and mean vapor density. Such behavior could potentially lead to increased electrode erosion, shorter lifetimes, and more restrikes (breakdown after current interruption). Future electrode design should take into account possible changes in electrode surface topology after significant current load.

Further investigations are planned to study the dependence of obtained results on material (electrode composition), as well other electrode design (such as AMF contacts).

**Author Contributions:** Conceptualization, S.G., A.L., E.D.T., F.G.; methodology, S.G., R.M., S.F.; software, S.F., S.G.; validation, E.D.T., F.G.; formal analysis, S.G.; investigation, S.G., D.G.; resources, D.G.; data curation, S.G.; writing—original draft preparation, S.G.; writing—review and editing, S.F., R.M., D.G., A.L., E.D.T. and F.G.; visualization, S.G., R.M. and S.F.; supervision, D.G. and F.G.; project administration, S.G. and A.L. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

**Funding:** This research received no external funding.

**Conflicts of Interest:** The authors declare no conflict of interest.
