A Review of Particle-Contaminated Gas Breakdown

The sensitivity of compressed gases to free and fixed conducting and non-conducting particle contaminants is a limiting factor in the design of electrical apparatus. Conducting particles which may result from damage to a gas-filled system constitute a serious threat to its safe and reliable operation. This deterioration in the dielectric strength of the gas largely depends on the type and shape of the particles, the type and pressure of the gas insulation, and the electric field. This paper reviews the electrical performance of gases under particle contamination. Further areas of work are proposed in order to obtain a better understanding of the mechanism of breakdown and a reliable operation under particle contamination.