Streamer initiation and propagation in mineral oil in a semi-uniform electrode geometry

This paper presents a study of streamer inception and propagation in point-plane and semi uniform-geometry. The latter is constituted of parallel plane electrodes, with a thin triggering point of calibrated size attached at the centre of one. By reducing the length of the point, it is possible to move progressively from a point plane geometry to a quasi uniform geometry. The initiation and propagation of streamers is impeded due to the presence of a metallic plane behind the triggering point, that reduces the field on the metallic tip and on propagating streamers. The propagation of negative streamers is quenched, whereas filamentary positives are less affected