An Experimental Investigation and Model Development of Arc Discharge during Impulse Test

In this paper, arc discharge characteristics across a static gap during standard lightning impulse test are investigated. Several numbers of tests were conducted to provide experimental data including open circuit and short circuit conditions. These test results have been used to develop an electric arc model which can represent both static and dynamic characteristics of arc discharge during impulse test. Experimental data have been used to verify validity of proposed model. Statistical investigations show that the arc discharge tends to happen with great probability near peak value of applied impulse voltage. This point can be used as a criterion for the verification of the arc discharge detection method