High-Pressure Gas as a Dielectric

Impulse and 60-cycle breakdown strength of sphere gaps, rod gaps, and of samples built up of solid and fluid dielectrics are reported. The tests were made in nitrogen up to 200 pounds per square inch gauge pressure and in Freon up to 70 pounds per square inch gauge pressure. Dielectric strength values were compared with the breakdown of transformer oil between the same electrodes. Gap conditions were found for which the 60 cycle breakdown was twice its impulse breakdown.