Dc Interfacial Breakdown on Contaminated Electrolytic Surfaces

This paper covers the results of investigations of interfacial breakdown on electrolytic surfaces. A water-channel model is used to simulate an insulator surface with different conductivity levels. Effects of the chemical nature of the contaminants and contamination levels on the critical flashover voltage are studied. A multiple-arc model is introduced where the phenomenon of multiple discharges existing simultaneously on an electrolytic surface is investigated. The phenomenon of cathode fall voltage is further examined in order to arrive at a reasonable estimate for the model. A glow discharge model is adopted to provide the theoretical basis for the study.