Measurements of Pulsed Corona in Coaxial Electrode Structures

A low-inductance pulse generator is used to deliver a high-voltage short-duration pulse to an air-filled coaxial electrode configuration. When the voltage is below the sparkover value, the pulse energy is delivered to a diffuse corona which visually appears to fill the Interelectrode region. Energy transfer, current distribution, and pulse shape are measured for variations in electrode diameters, air temperature, and voltage. Over a range of voltages up to sparkover, the entire stored energy is delivered to the corona. Pulse rise times are approximately 0.2 μs, the maximum peak voltage is 92 kV, peak currents equal approximately 400 A, and pulse energies range up to 1.6 J.