Experimental evaluation of pulsed corona model parameters

Models have been presented to describe the discharge processes which occur when a steep-front, intense voltage pulse is injected onto an open wire transmission line in air. Measurements made to evaluate these models are reported. The experimental data include transient voltage and current on the open wire, photographs of the discharge which forms at the wire and between the wire and ground, and maps of the transient electric field at the ground plane. Variables include voltage, length and size of the wire, height of the wire above the ground plane and duration of the voltage pulse. These data provide an empirical model for the pulsed corona, since V-I behavior under a range of conditions is presented in convenient graphical form. In addition, several characteristics included in theoretical models are examined in terms of the data. The importance of the diffuse corona (glow) component in supporting the voltage at the wire is evaluated. Ground field mapping is shown to be a useful diagnostic tool