45 degree insulator surface flashover: A review and new results

Insulator surfaces are often the cause for component electrical failure at high voltages. Previous work concerning insulator flashover, conducted previously by other researchers, is reviewed and summarized. Additional measurements relevant to 45 degrees insulators in vacuum have been performed. These measurements include optical measurements of surface electric fields and electrical measurement of surface currents and charge. The results of these measurements, in the context of the reviewed work, are presented.