Non-uniform field breakdown of gases

Abstract

The empirical breakdown law is extended to the evaluation of breakdown voltage under nonuniform field conditions. The effects of pressure and gap length are investigated. It is shown that, in nonuniform field conditions, the exponential relation between breakdown voltage and molecular density (pressure) is not affected. However, the different gases do not have the same behaviour under nonuniform field configuration. In particular, the disruptive voltage of Freons is greatly reduced by the nonuniformity of the field.<>