Arc Discharge on Insulation Surfaces a General Approach UP to the Ablation Stage

Various kinds of arcing on insulation surfaces are analyzed using a general approach derived from heat transfer theory. Two extreme cases of (1) small current, long-time arcing, and (2) highcurrent, short-time arcing appear to be most important. A simplified equation for estimating the depth of arcing damage is derived. For a one-side open arc the power flow into the insulation body is estimated to be on the order 107 W/m2.