Vacuum flashover on diamond-like carbon-coated insulators

Author

Halverson, W. ; Patel, R. ; Horenstein, M. ; Moustakas, T. ; Tsai, K.C. ; McGurrin, G.

Author_Institution

Spire Corp., Bedford, MA, USA

Volume

3

Issue

1

fYear

1996

fDate

2/1/1996 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

108

Lastpage

112

Abstract

Thin coatings of diamond-like carbon (DLC) were applied to cylindrical alumina and high temperature polyimide insulator samples. The coated insulators and uncoated controls were tested for resistance to surface flashover in vacuum under a dc voltage gradient. The DLC-coated insulators had significantly higher flashover potential than the controls and showed no visible tracking on their surface, even after multiple discharges. DLC coatings, applied at temperatures <350°C, show promise for improving the performance of HV vacuum feedthroughs, switches, and in other applications

Keywords

carbon; electric breakdown; electric strength; flashover; insulation testing; surface discharges; vacuum breakdown; C; coated insulators; cylindrical alumina; dc voltage gradient; diamond-like carbon coatings; flashover potential; high temperature polyimide insulator; multiple discharges; surface flashover; switches; vacuum feedthroughs; vacuum flashover; Coatings; Diamond-like carbon; Flashover; Insulation; Insulator testing; Polyimides; Surface discharges; Surface resistance; Temperature; Voltage control;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1070-9878

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/94.485521

Filename

485521