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in gases
+
i
total
current
I 0ed
I=
1 (ed 1)
self-sustained
discharge
(ed 1) = 1 ed = 1
Townsend mechanism
I 0ed
I=
1 (ed 1)
at small values of d
<< 1
A plot of log I versus the gap separation d gives a straight line. The
slope of this straight line yields the value of a. Once the value of is
known, the value of can be found by using data points in the above
equation.
Department of Electric Power Engineering
U bd
Bpd
=
Apd
ln
1
ln1 +
Paschens minimum
( pd ) min
(Vb ) min
e 1
= ln + 1
A
B 1
= 2.718 ln + 1
A
Electronegative gases
( )
I = I0
( ) d
1
e
1
breakdown criterion
[
e
( ) d
1 = 1
Streamer mechanism
At pressure above 5 barmm Townsend
mechanism does not operate any longer
- time to breakdown is short (10 - 100 ns),
- breakdown voltage is not dependent on
cathode material,
- breakdown channels are sharp, narrow and
hot.
Streamer mechanism
If the avalanche length surpasses a
critical length xc, the space charge
developed in the head is capable of
transforming it into channels of
ionisation that can extend in both
the anode and cathode.
n = exp( xc ) = 10
Mid-gap streamer
As an avalanche propagates
towards the anode in the
middle of a gap, the electric
field is then affected, both
before and behind it. A quick
propagation of streamers can
take place at both sides of the
avalanche.
x ( x )dx 18 20
c
for 0 x xc E Ec = 3 10 V/m
Once a streamer is created, the
background electric field must be
able to sustain its propagation.
For positive streamer it is about
0.5106 V/m and for negative
streamer it is about 1106 V/m.
This explains why it is easier to
break a rod-plane gap when the
rod is at positive polarity.
Department of Electric Power Engineering
Breakdown strength (50% probability) in a rod-plane gap for different types of voltages.
Department of Electric Power Engineering
Time lag
1. Voltage (and hence the electric field) in the gap has to exceed
the critical value (i.e. Vs).
2. The voltage must remain over this critical value until the
formation of the discharge is completed.
Department of Electric Power Engineering
N2 1
SF6 2,3
CCl4 6,4
the effect of electronegativity in some of the gases is utilised
Department of Electric Power Engineering
k+
fc = 2 U
d
f ce
ke
= 2U
d
Corona
Corona discharges occur at sharp points and edges in gas
insulating systems before complete breakdown takes place.
It contributes to:
losses in HV lines
radio interference and interfering signals
in sensitive measuring systems
chemical changes in gas composition
(by-products, ozone)
UV light
Department of Electric Power Engineering
Negative corona
A diffusive discharge (Townsend discharge) occurs around the point, the
electrons are pushed away and a positive space charge is formed. Further
away, due to the attachment a negative space charge is formed - it screens
the sharp point from the field and the discharge stop.
Negative corona
Capacitive voltage distribution in concentric sphere configuration can be
used for estimating the inception voltage
V = 1 + U d
for R >> r
Radius
Inception voltage
10 m
450 V
50 m
1 kV
500 m
3.5 kV
1 mm
5.5 kV
5 mm
15 kV
Positive corona
Streamers arise at the point and leave positive space charge. The space
charge causes periodic extinction of the discharge. Positive corona starts at
a slightly higher voltage than the negative one.
ac corona
Department of Electric Power Engineering
Corona losses
depend on the field strength at conductor surface
less than 2 kV/mm is a practical design criterion
U
Er =
r ln(h r )
R [mm]
Er[kV/mm]
1.8
10
1.7
20
1.5
Department of Electric Power Engineering
Vacuum as an insulator
used in switchgear, technological and scientific
instrumentation, X-ray tubes, etc.
Advantages
Disadvantages
self-restoring
high price
non-inflammable
1 mbar - = 0.4 mm
10-6 mbar - = 400 m
Department of Electric Power Engineering
6
.
9
10
W
E
6
a
exp
j = 1.55 10
Wa
E
Breakdown in vacuum
field induced breakdown
microparticle breakdown
electrode surface after
vacuum breakdown
a) anode
b) cathode
Breakdown in vacuum
Breakdown in vacuum
short gaps break mainly due to electronic emission strength at ac voltage is 20 - 30 kVrms/mm and at impuls
voltage is 30 - 40 kVrms/mm
long gaps break mainly due to micro-particle initiation voltage strength is
Vb C d
C is a constant in the order of 30 kVrms/mm-2 for ac voltage
and 60 kV/mm-2 for impuls voltage