Experimental study on thermal characteristics during leader discharge and its recovery procedure

Long air gap discharge is the main form of external insulation in UHV power grid. The in-depth study of its discharge characteristics is beneficial to optimize the insulation level configuration in the construction to improve the safety and reliability of power grid operation and save costs. The thermodynamic characteristics of the leader discharge are the important characteristics that distinguish it from other discharge stages. The study of the thermodynamic characteristics of the leader discharge and its recovery process can provide the basis for the reliable operation of the energy Internet. In this article, a multi-parameter comprehensive observation experimental platform for long air gap leader discharge and its recovery process was built, which realized the simultaneous measurement of thermal characteristics, morphological parameters and electrical parameters. The effect of voltage amplitude on the thermal characteristics of the leader discharge and its recovery process was investigated under positive polarity standard operating impulse voltage.