HVDC Surface Flashover in Compressed Air for Various Dielectrics

TL;DR

This paper investigates the voltage levels causing surface flashover in compressed air across different dielectric materials, providing data to aid in designing high-voltage systems as alternatives to SF6 insulation.

Contribution

It offers new experimental data on flashover voltages and statistical characteristics for various dielectrics in compressed air at high voltages.

Findings

Acrylic exhibits the highest resistance to flashover.

Flashover voltage shows exponential dependence on breakdown voltage.

Data supports design of compressed-air high-voltage systems.

Abstract

This study measures the voltage at which flashover occurs in compressed air for a variety of dielectric materials and lengths in a uniform field for DC voltages up to 100 kV. Statistical time lag is recorded and characterized, displaying a roughly exponential dependence on breakdown voltage. Of the materials tested, acrylic is observed to be the most resistant to flashover. These data are intended to facilitate the design of compressed-air insulated high voltage systems as an alternative to SF6 insulated systems.