Surface discharges

Examples:
Classification according
internal insulation
to the degree of solid
in transformers
involvement
(solid - liquid)
involved - not involved
Classification according
air outdoor and
to the distribution of
indoor insulation
electric field at the
(solid - air)
surface

Homogeneous field - parallel system

Homogeneous field - parallel system

very low frequency

Parallel systems
Decrease of FO voltage
due to:
- initiating discharges in the
gap between spacer and
electrode
- space charge accumulation
at spacer surface
- surface conduction and its
dependence on humidity

Applications in hermetic
constructions only.

Parallel systems - influence of humidity

glass

organic resin

Non-homogeneous field
small normal component

Non-homogeneous field
The influence of spacer on For a support insulator
the FO voltage decreases
FO voltage in dry
with increasing field nonconditions is
homogeneity - normally
practically equal to the
air insulated systems are
breakdown voltage of
nonhomogeneous and
a point-plane air gap
presence of a solid
(gap distance equal to
insulator does not
the insulator length)
influence systems FO
voltage strongly.

Non-homogeneous field - serial system

large normal component

Gliding discharges
Pressed down to the
surface by the normal
field component
Strong capacitive
coupling to opposite
electrode

Gliding discharges
Low field (<1 kV/cm)
is necessary for
sustaining gliding
discharges
Voltage level that leads
to gliding discharges
may authomatically
cause FO as well

Gliding discharges
U gd

A
= B
C0

A and B are constants dependent

on system geometry and type of
applied voltage
for 50 Hz voltage

U gd
control by field distribution or thickness

1.36
= 0.44 104 [kVrms ]
C0

Bushings

Pollution flashover
Leakage current in
conducting pollution layer
Pollution flashover
- may appear at operating
voltages
- insulator strength
depends on the creepage
length

Insulator strength in
polluted state may be
2.5-3 times lower than
at dry conditions
FO voltage depends (at
laboratory conditions)
on the power of voltage
source

Leakage resistance of insulator

dx
dR =
D( x )
1

1 1 L dx
1
R=
= f

0 D( x )
f - form factor (10 - 30)
for cylindrical insulator

1 L dx
L
f = =
0 D D

- conductivity of pollution layer

Mechanism of flashover
a - wet layer
b - formation of dry bands
c - one dry band dominates
d - sparkover of the band
e - extension of discharges
f - complete flashover

Flashover voltage

U FO = K s

Equivalent Salt Deposit Density - ESDD

Insulator profile
and ESDD