BEK 4113/BEX 44503 High Voltage Engineering

Breakdown in Dielectrics Breakdown Dielectrics Quiz

Dr Rie

BEE 3243 Electric Power Systems Module 1

Townsends Mechanism: Tutorial 1

Problem 1: Estimate the static breakdown voltage V in kV of an air gap at 100 mm.Hg pressure between two parallel plates that ensure a uniform field. /p as a function of E/p is shown in next figure. Assume = 10-3 electron/incident positive ion. The gap distance is 1 cm. Estimate the static breakdown voltages for N2, H2, A and Ne gases as well. Neglect recombination and attachment.

BEE 3243 Electric Power Systems Module 1

Townsends Mechanism: Tutorial

BEE 3243 Electric Power Systems Module 1

Townsends Mechanism: Tutorial 1

Solution: Here, pd = gap pressure multiply gap distance = 100 mm.Hg/cm. At this pd value the Townsends mechanism holds good. The Townsends criterion is
d = ln1 +
1 1 d = ln1 + 3 = 6.908ion. pairs 10 6.908ion. pairs = 6.908ion. pairs / cm = 1.0cm 6.908ion. pairs / cm = = 0.06908ion. pairs / cm.mm.Hg p 100

= 0.069ion. pairs / cm.mm.Hg

Refer from the graph, for Air:

Eb = 54V / cm.mm.Hg p Eb = 54 pressure = 54 100 = 5400V / cm = 5.4kV / cm Vb = Eb d = 5.4kV / cm 1.0cm = 5.4kV

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BEE 3243 Electric Power Systems Module 1

Townsends Mechanism: Tutorial 1

For other gases, the breakdown voltages are calculated likewise and tabulated in table below:
Gas E/p (V/cm.mm.Hg) Eb (V/cm) Vb (V) N2 60 6000 6000 H2 29 2900 2900 A 19.5 1950 1950 Ne 12 1200 1200

BEE 3243 Electric Power Systems Module 1

Townsends Mechanism: Tutorial 1

Problem 2: Estimate the static breakdown voltage V in kV of an air gap at 75 mm.Hg pressure between two parallel plates that ensure a uniform field. /p as a function of E/p is shown in next figure. Assume = 10-3 electron/incident positive ion. The gap distance is 3.5 cm. Estimate the static breakdown voltages for N2, H2, A and Ne gases as well. Neglect recombination and attachment.

BEE 3243 Electric Power Systems Module 1

Townsends Mechanism: Tutorial

BEE 3243 Electric Power Systems Module 1

Townsends Mechanism: Tutorial 1

Solution:
1 d = ln1 + 3 = 6.908ion. pairs 10 6.908ion. pairs = 1.974ion. pairs / cm = 3.5cm 1.974ion. pairs / cm = = 0.0263ion. pairs / cm.mm.Hg p 75

d = ln1 +

= 0.03ion. pairs / cm.mm.Hg

Refer from the graph, for Air:

Eb = 44V / cm.mm.Hg p Eb = 44 pressure = 44 75 = 3300V / cm = 3.3kV / cm Vb = Eb d = 3.3kV / cm 3.5cm = 11.55kV

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BEE 3243 Electric Power Systems Module 1

Townsends Mechanism: Tutorial 1

Continue:
For N2:
Eb = 50V / cm.mm.Hg p Eb = 50 pressure = 50 75 = 3750V / cm Vb = Eb d = 3750V / cm 3.5cm = 13125V = 13.13kV

For A:
Eb = 14V / cm.mm.Hg p Eb = 14 pressure = 44 75 = 1050V / cm Vb = Eb d = 1050V / cm 3.5cm = 3675V = 3.68kV

For Ne and H2 are out of range.

BEE 3243 Electric Power Systems Module 1

Townsends Mechanism: Quiz Quiz 1: Estimate the static breakdown voltage V in kV of an Ne and A gases at 9 mm.Hg pressure between two parallel plates that ensure a uniform field. /p as a function of E/p is shown in next figure. Assume = 10-3 electron/incident positive ion. The gap distance is 4.5 cm. Neglect recombination and attachment.

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BEE 3243 Electric Power Systems Module 1

Townsends Mechanism: Quiz 1

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BEE 3243 Electric Power Systems Module 1

Townsends Mechanism: Quiz 1 Answer

Solution:
1 d = ln1 + 3 = 6.908ion. pairs 10 6.908ion. pairs = = 1.535ion. pairs / cm 4.5cm 1.535ion. pairs / cm = = 0.171ion. pairs / cm.mm.Hg p 9

d = ln1 +

= 0.17ion. pairs / cm.mm.Hg

Refer from the graph, for Ne:

Eb _ Ne p

= 18V / cm.mm.Hg

Eb _ Ne = 18 pressure = 18 9 = 162V / cm = 0.162kV / cm Vb _ Ne = Eb _ Ne d = 0.162kV / cm 4.5cm = 0.729kV

Refer from the graph, for A:

Eb _ A p

= 25V / cm.mm.Hg

Eb _ A = 25 pressure = 25 9 = 225V / cm = 0.225kV / cm Vb _ A = Eb _ A d = 0.225kV / cm 4.5cm = 1.01kV

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BEE 3243 Electric Power Systems Module 1

Tutorial 2 Streamers Mechanism:

Problem 3: A uniform static field was created in Methane at 102 mm.Hg pressure by a parallel plate electrode system with a gap distance of 3 cm. With an externally applied electric field E0 of 3.9 kV/cm, it was found that the space charge created by an avalanche lay nearly in a sphere of radius rd = 0.08 cm. Estimate the value of d for favourable condition for the formation of streamers in the methane gap.

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BEE 3243 Electric Power Systems Module 1

Tutorial 2 Streamers Mechanism: Answer

Solution: If the space charge in an avalanche is assumed to be in a sphere of radius rd, then the electric field of this charged sphere at its surface is

Where q = charge in this sphere

q e d Er = = 2 4 K 0 rd 4 K 0 rd2

= x (no. of charged particles in sphere) = ed = 1.6 x 10-19 Coulomb (charge of an electron) Favourable condition for the formation of streamer is Er external applied field E0 Absolute permittivity of air or vacuum =
K0 = 0 = 1 = 8.854 10 12 Farad / m 36 109
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= Calculator CONST 32

BEE 3243 Electric Power Systems Module 1

Tutorial 2 Streamers Mechanism: Answer

Therefore,

1.6 1019 e d 1 Er = 1 0.08 102 4 36 109

V /m

= 2250 106 e dV / m = 2250 108 e dV / cm

Favourable condition for the formation of streamer is Er external applied field E0, i.e. 2250 x 10-8 ed = 3.9 x 103 Giving So Therefore ed = 1.733 x 108 d = ln(1.733 x108) = 18.97 ion.pairs/cm =18.97/3cm = 6. 32 ion.pairs/cm
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BEE 3243 Electric Power Systems Module 1

Tutorial 2 Streamers Mechanism: Answer

Actual solution: Er =
1.6 10 19 ed 1 e d = V /m 2 4 8.8542 12 0.08 10 2 2 4 0 rd

1.6 10 19 ed 1 Er = V /m 10 7 1.1127 10 6.4 10 9 d Er = 1.438 10 e 1.5625 106 V / m Er = 2.2469 10 3 edV / m 2.2469 10 3 ed Er = V / cm 1 10 2 Er = 2.2469 10 5 edV / cm E0 = E r e
d

e d

3.9 103 = 2.2469 10 5 = 173.57 106

d = ln(173.57 106 ) d = 18.97ion _ pairs =

18.97 = 6.32ion _ pairs / cm 3
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BEE 3243 Electric Power Systems Module 1

Tutorial 3 Streamers Mechanism:

Problem 4: A uniform static field was created in Methane at 115 mm.Hg pressure by a parallel plate electrode system with a gap distance of 4 cm. With an externally applied electric field E0 of 2.5 kV/cm, it was found that the space charge created by an avalanche lay nearly in a sphere of radius rd = 0.5cm. Estimate the value of d for favourable condition for the formation of streamers in the methane gap. The constant absolute permittivity K0 of the test area is 8.854x10-12 and the charge of electron is 1.6x10-19
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BEE 3243 Electric Power Systems Module 1

Tutorial 2 Streamers Mechanism: Answer

Actual solution: Er =
1.6 10 19 ed 1 e d = V /m 2 4 8.8542 12 0.5 10 2 2 4 0 rd

1.6 10 19 ed 1 Er = V /m 10 5 1.1127 10 2.5 10 9 d Er = 1.438 10 e 40 103V / m Er = 5.752 10 5 edV / m 5.752 10 5 ed Er = V / cm 1 10 2 Er = 5.752 10 7 edV / cm E0 = E r e
d

e d

2.5 103 = 5.752 10 7 = 4.35 109

d = ln(4.35 109 ) d = 22.19ion _ pairs =

22.19 = 5.55ion _ pairs / cm 4
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BEE 3243 Electric Power Systems Module 1

Tutorial 1 Paschen Law:

Problem 5: Work out the estimate breakdown voltage Vb in kV during the breakdown process using the Paschens Law equation shown below. The test was conducted inside a pressurised chamber at p = 1.5 bar filled with normal air. The tests temperature area is 120C. The electrodes gap is 3.5cm. Use 1 bar = 750.06 mm.Hg.
Vb _ kV 293 p 293 p = 24.22 d d + 6.08 760T 760T
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BEE 3243 Electric Power Systems Module 1

Tutorial 1 Paschen Law: Answer

Solution:

Vb _ kV = 24.22 Vb _ kV = 24.22 Vb _ kV

293 p 293 p d + 6.08 d 760T 760T 293(750.06 1.5) 3.5 + 6.08 760(120 + 273) 293(750.06 1.5) 760(120 + 273) 3.5

293(1125.09) = 24.22 3.5 + 6.08 760(393)

293(1125.09 ) 760(393) 3.5

Vb _ kV = 24.22(3.8629 ) + 6.08 (3.8629 ) Vb _ kV = 93.559 + 11.9498 Vb _ kV = 105.51kV Vb _ kV = 106kV

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BEE 3243 Electric Power Systems Module 1

Tutorial Paschen Law: Bring Home Quiz:

The test was conducted inside a pressurised chamber at p1 = 1bar and p2 = 2.5bars filled with normal air. Both tests temperature area are 80C. The electrodes with a gap of 0.35m. i. Work out the estimate breakdown voltage Vb1 and Vb2 in (in kV) during the breakdown process using the Paschens Law equation shown below. Use 1 bar = 750.06 mm.Hg. ii. Comment by comparing both results in terms of percentage increment / decrement. iii. Also sketch the output graph of p(mm.Hg) vs. Vb(kV).
Vb _ kV 293 p 293 p = 24.22 d + 6.08 d 760T 760T
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BEE 3243 Electric Power Systems Module 1

Solution: Info:

Tutorial Paschen Law: Bring Home Quiz Answer

1 bar = 750.06 mm.Hg. p1 = 1bar x 750.06mm.Hg = 750.06mm.Hg p2 = 2.5bar x 750.06mm.Hg = 1875.15mm.Hg d=0.35m=35cm T= 80C +273 = 353 K The Paschens Law equation;

Answer a)

Vb _ kV = 24.22

293 p 293 p d + 6.08 d 760T 760T

Calculation of breakdown voltage Vb1 (kV) using p1 value,

Vb1_ kV = 24.22 293 750.06 (35) 293 750.06 (35) + 6.08 760(353) 760(353)

Vb1_ kV = 694.41 + 32.56 Vb1_ kV = 726.97kV = 727kV

Calculation of breakdown voltage Vb2 (kV) using p2 value,

Vb 2 _ kV = 24.22

293 1875.15 (35) 293 1875.15 (35) + 6.08 760(353) 760(353)

Vb 2 _ kV = 1736 + 51.47 Vb 2 _ kV = 1787.47 kV = 1787 kV

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Answer b) The breakdown voltage increasing from Vb1(kV)=727kV to Vb2(kV)=1787kV. Increasing value in percentage:

1787 kV 100% = 246% _ or _ 2.46 p.u 727 kV

Answer c)
2000 1800
1787

1600

1400

1200 Vb(kV)

1000

800
727

600

400

200

0 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1 p(bar) 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5