Correlation between space charge distributions and external current measurements during the discharge of low density polyethylene samples

A new experimental set-up which allows simultaneous measurements of both charge profiles by the pressure wave propagation (PWP) method and total external current has been developed. It has been applied to the study of low density polyethylene. The displacement current can be determined everywhere in the sample. During the discharge, the external current and displacement current are shown to be very similar at both electrodes. A good agreement is obtained between the zero-field plane current model and the measured external current