Optical investigation of high-field conduction and prebreakdown in a dielectric liquid

Light emission studies of the high-field conduction and prebreakdown phenomena in a mixture of mono and dibenzyl-toluene (M/DBT), used as polypropylene impregnant in the all-film capacitor technology, have been undertaken to gain insight into the underlying physical mechanisms responsible for these processes. The absorption spectrum of this fluid, in the UV region, shows the appearance of structured bands at 348, 366 and 386 nm indicating a luminescence process via anthracene and 9-methylanthracene impurities at a concentration of 3×10^-3 mol/l. Optical and electrical measurements were performed simultaneously on the electrically stressed fluid. Electroluminescence of the impurities contained in M/DBT has been investigated using a new uniform field electrode arrangement. The light inception stress was determined to be ~ 20 μm^-1 for ac excitation (50 Hz). Configurations with different interfacial situations were studied and we have evidenced a correlation between charge injection and electroluminescence activity. Spectral analysis of the light radiated by streamers in M/DBT in a needle-plane electrode geometry, under step voltage (1 to 50 μs, 30 kV) revealed, for both polarities, the presence of H₂ and C₂ characteristic bands emerging from a continuum corresponding to the dissociation and recombination of molecular fragments