Influence of the electrode layout on performance of insulated surface discharge: electrical characterization

The influence of the electrode layout on the electrical characteristics of the insulated surface discharge has been investigated. Two types of discharge electrode layout: the strip-structure and the hole-structure are compared. The measurements of the electrode current and voltage are performed for excitation frequency of typically 4-8 kHz and discharge voltage of 5-10 kV for both configurations. The partial discharges (PDs) ignite at lower voltage, occur more frequently and carry more charge in the case of the strip structure than in the case of the hole structure but in this last case, the charging effects are more balanced, leading to a smaller wear of the insulating film. The methods for determination of the charge transferred during a single PD and for estimation of the PD duration on the base of pulse response of the voltage supply circuitry for both configurations are proposed. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.