Investigation of Dielectric Flashover in an SF6 Filled Laser Triggered Gas Switch

Author

Benwell, Andrew ; Kovaleski, Scott ; Gahl, John ; CUrry, Randy ; Yeckel, Chris ; Swarts, Darren

Author_Institution

Dept. of Electr. & Comput. Eng., Missouri Univ., Columbia, MO

fYear

2006

fDate

14-18 May 2006

Firstpage

185

Lastpage

188

Abstract

A study of dielectric flashover in SF₆ in a laser triggered gas switch (LTGS) is reported. Flashover occurring on the inside of the insulating barrier of the switch leading to the eventual failure of the switch was studied. The University of Missouri-terawatt test stand is testing the trigger section of a LTGS to understand and improve the flashover characteristics of these switches. A Rimfire LTGS was modified to operate with a trigger gap voltage of 938 kV. The modified switch was tested repeatedly over a range of pressures to examine the sensitivity of switch flashover to several parameters. The aspects of the switch that were tested include triple points both due to asymmetrical torque on the endplates, and due to gaps between the insulator and endplate, and the effect of slower voltage risetime. An analysis of the early findings of this study is presented

Keywords

SF₆ insulation; dielectric materials; flashover; gas insulated switchgear; insulation testing; laser beam applications; switchgear testing; 938 kV; LTGS; SF₆; SF₆ filled laser triggered gas switch; University of Missouri-terawatt test stand; dielectric flashover; endplate; eventual failure; insulating barrier; insulator; trigger gap voltage; Aluminum; Copper; Dielectrics and electrical insulation; Electrodes; Flashover; Gas lasers; Sulfur hexafluoride; Switches; Testing; Voltage;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Power Modulator Symposium, 2006. Conference Record of the 2006 Twenty-Seventh International

Conference_Location

Arlington, VA

Print_ISBN

1-4244-0018-X

Electronic_ISBN

1-4244-0019-8

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/MODSYM.2006.365212

Filename

4216164