BREAKDOWN MECHANISM

&
EFFECT OF SPACE CHARGE IN NON-
UNIFORM FIELDS
S. VENKATESH
 CONCEPT OF BREAKDOWN IN
NON-UNIFORM FIELDS
• In non-uniform fields, e.g. in point-plane,
sphere-plane gaps or coaxial cylinders,
the field strength and hence the
effective ionization coefficient vary
across the gap
• The electron multiplication is governed
by and at low pressures the Townsend
criterion for spark takes the form

• The expression is valid also for higher

pressures if the field is only slightly non-
uniform
NON-UNIFORM FIELDS- CORONA DISCHARGE
• From the Perspective of Space Charge Effect:
 Anode Corona:
• Appears in the form of a uniform bluish-white sheath over
the entire surface of the wire/ conductor
• Hienstein’s Glow/ Bust Pulses/ Streamer Discharges
• Irregular, High amplitude pulses with varying frequencies
for pulse duration
 Cathode Corona:
• Appears as reddish glowing spots distributed along the
wire/ conductor
• Trichel Pulses
• Similar magnitude/ amplitude pulses with almost fixed
band of frequency
 Polarity effect and Influence of Space Charge in
Corona Discharges- Anode Corona

• Ionization by electron collision takes place in the high field region close to
the point
• Electrons because of their higher mobility will be readily drawn into the
anode, leaving the positive space charge behind
• The space charge will cause a reduction in the field strength close to the
anode and at the same time will increase the field further away from it
• The high field region is in time moving further into the gap extending the
region for ionization
• The field strength at the tip of the space charge may be high enough for the
initiation of a cathode directed streamer which subsequently may lead to
complete breakdown
 Polarity effect and Influence of Space Charge in
Corona Discharges- Cathode Corona

• With negative point, the electrons are repelled into the low field region
• Further, in the case of attaching gases become attached to the gas molecules and tend to
hold back the positive space charge which remains in the space
• In the vicinity of the point the field is grossly enhanced, but the ionization region is
drastically reduced. The effect is to terminate ionization
• Once ionization ceases, the applied field sweeps away the negative and positive ion space
charge from the vicinity of the point and the cycle starts again after the clearing time for
the space charge
• To overcome this retarding action of the ions a higher voltage is required, and hence
negative breakdown voltage is higher than the positive breakdown voltage in gaps