On the lumped lorentz force approximation for modeling the motion of free metallic particles

The force acting upon a free metallic particle in an alternating electric field will determine its motion and ultimately allow for the estimation of the risk imposed due to dielectric failure of the high voltage equipment. Existing models approximate the force with Lorentz' law and consider the charge resting upon the surface as being lumped into a point charge at the center of the particle during its motion. The model proposed in this paper demonstrates a time stepped electrostatic Finite Element Method to calculate these forces, therefore taking into account the charge distribution upon the surface of the particle. The use of this model is seen to have a significant effect upon the motion of the particle under certain conditions.