Non-stationary pulse conduction in a dielectric liquid

Preliminary observations on the non-stationary aspects of the conduction process in n -hexane indicate that two distinct types of pulse activity occur. Lowamplitude pulses (of about 5 fC) are always present, but at stresses above 400 kV cm −1 they are accompanied by intermittent bursts of much larger pulses (of about 1 pC) which often culminate in breakdown. By means of an audio-visual technique a relationship between the low-level pulse activity and the particle motion in the electrode gap has been established. Typical non-stationarities in a sequence of pulses are illustrated by a plot of pulse rate and mean charge against time.