EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS WITH SMALL AIR GAPS: FURTHER THOUGHTS AND COMMENTS ON THE DISCHARGE (OR CHARGING PHENOMENA) BELOW THE SO-CALLED INCEPTION VOLTAGE

Michael G. Danikas - Nikolaos Vrakotsolis

   There has been some research effort on the problem of possible partial discharges (or charging phenomena) below the so-called inception voltage in both solid and gaseous dielectrics. In the present paper, we offer more experimental results on the existence of random partial discharges for a range of small air gaps at electric fields corresponding to the inception voltage or below it. There are strong indications that random partial discharges (or charging phenomena) appear in air gaps greater than those at which discharges normally take place. The connection of the present results with those of previous work is discussed. Some thoughts on possible future work are proposed.

Keywords: small air gaps, inception voltage, partial discharges, point-plane electrode arrangement, space charge

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