Ignition Criteria for Resistive Circuits

The criterion of no ignition is stated in general. The relation between the electrical power output and the discharge voltage, and the power output and time are discussed for resistive circuits with source voltages ranging from 24-60 V, tested by the German breakflash. Shadow photographs of the electrode area with the incipient kernel and the relevant oscillograms of the discharge voltage are recorded. From the oscillograms a general discharge voltage pattern emerges. The theoretical considerations as well as the experimental results suggest that the critical section when ignition is likely to occur under minimum igniting conditions coincides with the peak of the power transfer function. Suggestions are made about the practical application of these results to monitor the sensitivity of the breakflash or forecast the probable value of minimum igniting current or power for a given circuit.