Systematic and reproducible partial discharge patterns in an epoxy resin

In this paper we describe a number of experiments which we have undertaken to determine the relationship between the partial discharge activity, and resultant tree growth in transparent resin. Phase resolved measurement of the partial discharge activity in the flexible epoxy resin CY1311, over a wide range of experimental conditions, has shown that the partial discharge activity is clearly related to the type of tree grown. Systematic and repeatable changes in the partial discharge activity occurred, depending on the experimental conditions and these correlated with the wide range of tree structures formed from branch to bush. The type of tree growth that occurred was principally determined by the occurrence of bursts in the partial discharge activity which are associated with rapid low branch density tree growth. The number of bursts and their dynamics determine the type of tree grown