Modeling laboratory negative long spark discharges

This paper is aimed at comparing some results derived from a self consistent model developed to simulate dynamically the successive phases of negative laboratory long spark with experimental results reported elsewhere. This model includes criteria for instabilities and arrest conditions. Two point-plane air gaps are considered, let be 5 m and 7 m submitted to 320/10000 ¿s wave voltage; the crest value of voltage being 3.0 MV. A good accordance is found between the simulated spatial and temporal evolution of the whole negative discharge and the associated macroscopic parameters (current and electrical charge, power and energy injected into the gap, velocity...), and the experimental results.