Partial discharges in voids in solid dielectrics. An alternative approach

Partial discharges in voids are traditionally discussed in terms of an equivalent capacitive network, the abc-model [1,2]. A void is represented by a capacitance, and discharges within the void are simulated as a partial or a complete discharge of this capacitance. This simple approach has been so successful with respect to measurement techniques that there is a tendency to identify the equivalent circuit with the actual dielectric system. This may lead to erroneous conclusions, e.g. about transfer of charges within a void, or to concepts which, although they are meaningful with respect to the equivalent circuit, may have no direct relation to the actual dielectric system.