Application possibilities of space charge measurement and development of the components of a PEA measurement system

Plastics have become dominant in modern electrical insulation technology. The mobility of charge carriers in plastics are minor, hence the possibility of space charge accumulation is more likely. The charge accumulation alters the electric field distribution within the material, which has to be considered during design. The pulsed electroacoustic (PEA) measurement method has been developed to examine space charge distributions. This paper presents the application possibilities of space charge measurement and its technical role. Afterwards the designs of the custom parts are presented in detail: the electrodes, a fast impulse generator and a special amplifier circuit.