Impulse and 60 Cycle Strength of Air

The effect that the shape of electrodes has on the dielectric strength of air when subjected to impulse and 60 cycle voltage waves is considered in this paper. Principal attention is given to rod and plate electrodes and to sphere and plate electrodes, comparative data on the different types being given. Among other factors, the effect of polarity on breakdown voltage is brought out. These data on strength of air between various electrode shapes are correlated into working principles and presented from the standpoint of the design engineer interested in their application.