Effect of Surface Discontinuities and Electrical Network Architecture on the Flashover

Flashover corresponds to the differential charging neutralization of dielectric parts on satellite surfaces when an electrostatic discharge (ESD) is triggered. In solar panels, it is supposed to have effects on solar cells aging and secondary arc occurrence. Laboratory experiments show that flashover propagation sometimes involves the whole charged surface, but is generally partial in terms of charge amount and covered surface. An assumption is made that these charged dielectric surfaces are never plain due to many discontinuities as for solar panels, intercell gaps, inserts, and so on. To establish which parameters monitor or stop flashover propagation, we study neutralization ratio of the flashover on 1- m² charged surfaces. We test and modified Kapton surfaces with different types of discontinuities added on the surface as dielectric sheathed and unsheathed wires. We also test a 1- m² solar panel coupon and compare results with Kapton surface. Based on this coupon, different electrical network architectures for solar cell strings are tested (parallel, series, and interlaced circuit) to verify if they have an effect on flashover characteristics and to determine the way the replacement current circulates in the solar cell strings. These tests are performed in the JONAS facility, which is a 9- m³ vacuum chamber equipped with two electron guns and several measurement devices as surface potential probe and transient current probes. The sample under test is biased at a negative high voltage and charged with electrons to be in an inverted potential gradient situation to trigger ESDs. In Kapton film tests, ESDs are triggered on a six solar cells coupon set in the center of the Kapton surface. Results show 2-D surface voltage before and after flashover correlated to neutralized charges and solar cell strings replacement current. Effect or noneffect of surface topology on neutralization ratio and flashover propagation is shown for the Kapt- n film and the solar panel coupon.