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Fast rise breakdown in dielectric filled air gap for surge protection

Journal Article · · Journal of Applied Physics
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0019478· OSTI ID:1670175
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  1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
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Electric discharge across an air gap can be self-healing, providing a unique capability for repetitive, fast, high-voltage/current switching applications through arc conduction. Furthermore, incorporating dielectric granules in the air gap stimulates gas ionization, which lowers the breakdown voltage and narrows breakdown voltage distribution, thereby enabling engineered surge protection from multiple lightning strikes on aerospace vehicles and sensitive solid-state electronics in critical systems. This study investigates the effect of the permittivity of dielectric granules, gap filling, surface roughness, and metal work function on fast-rising, high-voltage breakdowns. In addition to the air gap width, these factors play important roles in gas ionization, field concentration, and initiation of electrical discharge and arcing. Therefore, they could potentially be used to control and narrow operational breakdown voltages for practical applications. Additionally, a modified Langevin–Debye model is developed to correlate the breakdown voltage and the permittivity of the dielectric filler. These investigations identify and highlight key underpinning mechanisms governing the gas discharge behavior across a dielectric filled air gap during voltage surge events.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000; NA0003525
OSTI ID:
1670175
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1760446
Report Number(s):
SAND--2020-5927J; 686610
Journal Information:
Journal of Applied Physics, Journal Name: Journal of Applied Physics Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 128; ISSN 0021-8979
Publisher:
American Institute of Physics (AIP)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Figures / Tables (8)

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Figure 2.1(p. 6)figure Figure 2.1
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Figure 7(p. 13)figure Figure 7
Figure 8(p. 14)figure Figure 8

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Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
dielectric properties
electric discharges
electrical properties and parameters
gas discharges
phase transitions
stochastic processes
surge protection
work functions