AC arc characteristics on a snow-covered cylinder

Arc characteristics inside wet snow are investigated in view of a better understanding of the mechanisms of AC flashover on snow-covered insulators. The results of investigations on the modeling of electric arc, and the characterization of the latter using an insulating cylinder filled with wet snow are described. The use of this geometry and the presence of an air gap near one of the extremities ensure the formation of a single partial arc at a predetermined location, i.e. along the air gap. From the results obtained, the arc parameters were evaluated using regression analysis. The knowledge of those parameters is of prime importance for mathematical modeling purposes and further adequate design of outdoor insulators for wet snow conditions.