PASCHEN’S LAW AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE

IN GASEOUS BREAKDOWN
S. Venkatesh
 Townsend’s Criterion for Sparking

𝜶 −𝑩𝒑
=A 𝒆 𝑬
𝒑

• No. of ionization collisions per

electron in distance dx
∝ dx
• Mean Free Path (λ): Distance
between successive collisions
• Therefore the no. of collisions in
distance dx
dx/ λ
• The probability that collision causes
ionization (Boltzman Factor and
Claussius-Mossati Distribution):
exp (-εi/eE λ)
 Townsend’s Criterion for Sparking
• No. of ionizations in distance dx
𝒅𝒙 −𝜺𝒊
𝒆 𝒆𝑬𝝀
𝝀
• Equating
𝟏 −𝜺𝒊
𝜶= 𝒆 𝒆𝑬𝝀
𝝀
𝟏
• Since 𝒑 ∞
𝝀

𝜶 −𝑩𝒑
=A 𝒆 𝑬
𝒑
• Hence, for parallel plates:

• An expression for the breakdown voltage for uniform field gaps as a function
of gap length and gas pressure can be derived from the threshold equation by
expressing the ionization coefficient α/p as a function of field strength E and gas
pressure p
Paschen’s Law and Relationship with
Townsend’s Sparking Potential
• Breakdown voltage of a uniform field
gap is a unique function of the product
of gas pressure and the gap length for a
particular gas and electrode material
 This relation is known as Paschen’s law
• This relation does not mean that the
breakdown voltage is directly
proportional to product pd
 Though it is found that for some region
of the product pd the relation is linear
 Paschen’s Law and Relationship with
Townsend’s Sparking Potential

• Higher the voltage the smaller the slope and

therefore, line will intersect the ionization curve
at two points (A and B)
• There must exist two breakdown voltages at a
constant pressure (p = constant)
 Small value of gap length i.e., higher E (E = V/d) -
Point B
 Longer gap length i.e., smaller E or smaller E/p -
Point A
• At low values of voltage V the slope of the
straight line is large and, therefore, there is no
intersection between the line and the curve 1.
– No breakdown occurs with small voltages
below Paschen’s minimum irrespective of
the value of pd.
• Point C on the curve indicates the lowest
breakdown voltage or the minimum sparking
potential
Condition for Minimum Potential
Due to Paschen’s Law
Condition for Minimum Potential
Due to Paschen’s Law