Study of the local discharge propagation velocity over two electrolytes water channels by measurement of current

The study of the local discharge development towards the flashover was examined by measurement of the channels current using high voltage laboratory insulator. The currents measured before the flashover increased or remained constant. From the variation of current, it was deduced that the local discharge propagated in one or two channels direction. The increase of currents could be explained by the discharge development in both directions. On other hand, constant current in one channel means that the discharge grows only in one direction. The propagation velocity depending on the rate of production of initiatory electrons was considered to explain the mechanism of the flashover when the discharge grew in both channels direction.