The Effect of Gas-Cell Diameter on Dielectric Strength Determination

The electric breakdown of air and nitrogen was determined in test cell diameters of 2, 4, and 6 inches using electrode systems of a one-inch-diameter brass sphere to 1 4-inch-diameter square-edged brass plane and also using a sharp-pointed tungsten electrode to the same size brass plane. Also, these electrode systems were used in free ambient air with no enclosing cell. The electrode spacings used were from 100 to 2000 mils. Field plots of electric flux and equipotential lines were also made using conducting paper and copper-foil electrodes for these cell diameters and electrode systems.