The Influence of Polarity on High-Voltage Discharges

Author

McMillan, F.O. ; Starr, E.C.

Author_Institution

Research Professor of Electrical Engineering, Oregon State College, Corvallis, Oregon.

Volume

50

Issue

1

fYear

1931

fDate

3/1/1931 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

23

Lastpage

33

Abstract

An experimental investigation of the influence of polarity on high-voltage discharges is reported in this paper. Particular attention is given to those discharges used in high-voltage measurements. A theory of the formation of Lichtenberg figures is given together with experimental evidence upon which it is based. A polarity indicator utilizing visual Lichtenberg figures is described. Results of 60-cycle and impulse tests on various types of gaps are given. It is shown that polarity has a distinct effect upon the sparking voltages of all types of gaps. Impulse measurements with grounded sphere-gaps are shown to be subject to serious error unless the polarity effects are taken into consideration. An explanation of the influence of polarity on spark-over is proposed.

Keywords

Atmosphere; Breakdown voltage; Dielectric measurements; Electric variables measurement; Electrodes; Electrons; Engine cylinders; Ionization; Spark gaps;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

American Institute of Electrical Engineers, Transactions of the

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0096-3860

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/T-AIEE.1931.5055733

Filename

5055733