Fast image converter and slow computer simulation studies of partial discharge models

Partial discharges are particularly difficult animals to study in their natural habitat, as this invariably has been designed to exclude PDs and seldom to facilitate their observation. Even physical models are difficult to design to satisfy conflicting demands of observability and realism. The present paper discusses some results obtained by nanosecond electrical and optical measurements on a physical model of a PD void, and demonstrates the use of a simple circuit simulation program to interpret PD pulse measurements on a 50 Hz time scale