Impulse Voltage Tests on Air and C3F8

There is continual need for the evaluation of the electric strength of the various new gases that are becoming available and their comparison with the electric strength of some standardsuch as air. The impulse voltage strength of a new gas is not easily and quickly obtained, yet is essential in the proper design of equipment using these gases. It is the purpose of this paper to describe briefly the equipment that was used for this impulse voltage testing work, and to record some impulse voltage breakdown data on octofluoropropane (C3F8) and its comparison to air.