Stochastic properties of partial-discharge phenomena

The author presents a bibliography and survey of the literature concerned with theory and measurement of the stochastic behavior of pulsating partial-discharge (PD) phenomena that can occur when insulation is subjected to electrical stress. The types of PD phenomena considered include AC and DC generated electron avalanches, pulsating positive and negative corona in gases, and PD that occur in liquid media and in the presence of solid dielectric surfaces. The basic physical mechanisms of discharge initiation, growth, and memory propagation that determine the probability distributions for pulse occurrence times and pulse amplitudes are discussed. Consideration is also given to special problems associated with the measurement and interpretation of data on the various statistical properties of PD phenomena