A Model for the Study of Switching-Surge Breakdown of Long Air Gaps

A model of the discharge process leading to the switching surge flashover of long air gaps is presented. This model is based on a new non-thermal equilibriummodel of thedischargechannel. Dependingon temperature and current, the volt ampere characteristics of the discharge channel simulation behave either like a resistoror a zener diode. This channel simulation is combined with an electric field calculation to produce a breakdown model for arbitrary gap geometries and applied voltage waveforms. The model is currently implemented on a minicomputer system.