Solid Dielectric Material Influence on Fast Impulse Partial Discharge Behavior

The cumulative effect of partial discharges (PD) in solid dielectric materials can lead to insulation aging and reduction in dielectric breakdown stress levels. Partial discharge events are parasitic to power levels. This paper compares PD behaviors of four model solid dielectric materials with embedded electrodes exposed to single fast impulses. Applied impulses had a characteristic rise time of 1 nsec and peak applied currents were several amps. Our results indicate that partial discharge activity is influenced by the dielectric material. This should be taken into consideration in choosing solid insulation for demanding pulsed power applications.