Effects of low air pressure on AC and DC arc propagation on ice surface

The effects of air pressure on the AC and DC arc process on an ice surface, including velocity, parameters and flashover voltage, were studied. The results obtained showed that air pressure has an obvious influence on the arc propagation velocity, arc constant A, electrode voltage drop V_e and consequently on the flashover voltage of the ice surface, V_f. This decrease in V_f is explained by the decrease in the E-I arc characteristics and arc propagation velocity, and by the relatively higher density of Na atoms in the arcs at pressures below standard air pressure. Based on these results, the mechanism underlying the decrease in the flashover voltage of ice-covered insulators at high altitude was analyzed