Trend Analysis of Controlled Thin Metallization Flashover

Tests validating the consistency and repeatability of controlled electrical surface flashover on metallized thin film insulators were performed. The study of electrical surface flashover has been mainly confined to its prevention under various contaminated conditions such as ice. The experiments discussed in this paper have gone in the opposite direction. The focus of the experiments was not to prevent surface flashover, but to enhance it, control its path and control its intensity. This was achieved by selecting an insulator with an extremely contaminated surface. The insulator chosen was polypropylene film coated with a conducting surface composed of metallized aluminum. The surface of the polypropylene film was put under a pulse capacitive discharge of 2500 V_dc. Results have shown that a controlled flashover is achievable and repeatable. The trends discussed in the paper show promise for novel low energy light sources.