On the Breakdown Voltages of Some Electronegative Gases at Low Pressures

The breakdown voltages of five Freon gases and SF6 were determined at low pressures between parallel plates with a view to determining their insulating properties under these conditions and especially to find their minimum breakdown voltages. It was found that the advantage of these gases over air are much less at low pressures than at atmospheric pressure or higher, and hence, that the use of these gases as insulants at lower pressures is limited.