Flashover in particle-contaminated air

Understanding the effect of conducting and dielectric particle contaminants on the disruptive discharge of air gaps is essential in the design process. Experimental measurements of these effects, which are influenced by polarity, voltage waveshape, and electrode configuration, are necessary so that the mechanisms of breakdown can be comprehended. In the present study, conductive cylindrical particles of variable sizes were used in the experiments, and ac and dc voltage waveforms were employed with parallel-plate and point-to-plate gaps. Less extensive experiments were conducted with dielectric particles. The results demonstrate the influence that these parameters have on disruptive discharge.