Gas Dynamic Properties of Low Voltage Partial Discharges

Research results on gas dynamics at low voltage pulse partial discharge are covered. When the discharge current is limited by the ballast resistance in the free volume, a “turbulized gas ball” is formed, which gradually cools down and disappears without sound. In the absence of ballast resistance, the gas ball will burst with multiple volume increases and a loud crack. In a closed volume of plasma-chemical reactor, regardless of the value of ballast resistance, stable gas balls are formed, gradually extinguishing. The calculation of pressure at partial discharge was carried out according to the height of lifting by a freely lying plug covering the opening of plasma-chemical reactor. Gas pressure varied from 1700 Pa at R
_b
= 68 Ohm to 27800 Pa at R
_b
= 0. The maximum gas overpressure in the arrester was 155 kPa. Relaxation RC - generator for supplying single pulses and rectification circuit with multiplication of industrial frequency voltage, operating in continuous mode, were used as power supply sources. Stages of incomplete and complete discharges detected, similar to the case of a high-voltage discharge on the dielectric surface.