| Title |
A Study on the Breakdown Mechanism of Compressed SF_6 by Polarity of a Protrusion on Electrode Surface |
| Abstract |
The general shapes of prebreakdown pulses in a discharge gap were calculated and the current pulses due to avalanche were detected in SF6 by changing the polarity of the protrusion placed on an electrode at pressures up to about 400 Kpa. The mathematical model of prebreakdown pulse development with a negative protrusion shows agreement with the observed pulses. No evidence of intense bursts of field-emitted electrons was observed. Breakdown probably results from a single avalanche developing to a critical size. However the calculated shape of prebreakdown current pulse does not agree with the observed pulses with a positive protrusion. The breakdown is preceded by multiple avalanche development at pressures less than about 200 Kpa. This observation has been interpreted as due to the formation of negative ions following photoionization in the gas which drift into the critical volume near a positive protrusion. |