The Amplitude-Time Characteristics of Electrical Breakdown in Long Air Gaps of a Point-to-Plane Double-Electrode Discharge System by a Switching Aperiodic High-Voltage Pulse

Abstract

The paper presents the results of calculations and experiments to determine the primary amplitude and time characteristics of electrical breakdown in long air gaps in a point-to-plane double-electrode discharge system (DEDS) by a standard switching aperiodic high-voltage pulse of the time configuration, T_m/Т_p ≈ 200 μs/1990 μs, of positive polarity. Approximate calculation relations are obtained to find the breakdown time, T_d, breakdown (discharge) voltage, U_d, and breakdown strength, E_d of a strong electric field for this DEDS, averaged over a minimum length of l_min ≥ 1 m of these gaps. The proposed engineering approach to determining the values of T_d, U_d, and E_d is based on the results of an approximate calculation in a long air gap of a point-to-plane DEDS of a sharply inhomogeneous strong electromagnetic field that produces a spherical zone with a radius r_i of active impact ionization of its atmospheric air by electrons. This occurs near the lower sharp edge of the upper potential electrode point of the DEDS, wherefrom a positive discharge leader develops towards the lower grounded electrode plane of the DEDS.