Amplitude scaling of solar array discharges

Author

Bogorad, A. ; Bowman, C. ; Rayadurg, L. ; Sterner, T. ; Loman, J. ; Armenti, J.

Author_Institution

GE Astro-Space Div., Princeton, NJ, USA

Volume

37

Issue

6

fYear

1990

fDate

12/1/1990 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

2112

Lastpage

2119

Abstract

The problem of finding accurate scaling rules for solar arrays is addressed. Sections of a solar panel of four different sizes were charged in a 20-keV monoenergetic electron beam. The measured amplitudes of discharge transients coupled into power lines scaled linearly with the length of the rows of parallel-connected solar cells in the solar cell circuits. The authors describe the experimental determination of solar-array discharge scaling with area, with coverglass thickness, with solar-cell size, and with the number of cells, either in series or in parallel, in a circuit on a solar array

Keywords

electrostatic discharge; solar cell arrays; space vehicle power plants; 20 KeV; 20-keV monoenergetic electron beam; ESD; amplitudes of discharge transients coupled into power lines; area; coverglass thickness; electrostatic discharge spacecraft charging; number of cells; satellite solar cells; scaling of solar array discharges; scaling rules; solar-array discharge scaling; solar-cell size; Amplitude estimation; Electrostatic discharge; Fault location; Insulation; Photovoltaic cells; Satellites; Semiconductivity; Semiconductor materials; Surface discharges; Testing;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Nuclear Science, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9499

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/23.101237

Filename

101237