Streamer model based on electronic processes in liquids

Abstract

In this paper a new streamer model based on electronic processes is presented for insulating liquids. The well known different streamer modes, primary, secondary and tertiary streamers are shown to be the consequence of different electronic conductivity mechanisms such as resonance tunneling, hopping processes and quasi-free electron conductivity. However, streamer modes don't change continuously from primary to secondary modes, but discretely, which may be explained by different conduction mechanisms. Many parameters influencing breakdown behaviour of dielectric liquids, e.g. temperature, hydrostatic pressure, viscosity, and electrical field strength are discussed.