Breakdown Voltage and Transient Grounding Resistance with Spherical Insulating Materials

Failure of electrical installation occasionally occurs because of aging and other factors. The problem of electrical installation failure cannot be ignored. Power-receiving equipment can cause a breakdown because of overvoltage. The enhancement of the breakdown voltage in electrical installations with air is required. In an experimental study, the breakdown voltage and the transient grounding resistance were investigated using recycled spherical insulating materials in air by using a lightning impulse high-voltage generator. Experimental studies were performed using a rod-plane electrode in a PMMA cubic case. A rod electrode was used, and the copper plate of a plane electrode was placed on the base of the cubic case. The breakdown voltages and transient grounding resistances in air were compared when the spherical insulation materials (ping-pong balls and rubber balls) were in the case. The gap length of the rod-plane electrode was 0.25 m. The increase in the breakdown voltage and transient grounding resistance was investigated experimentally using the spherical insulating materials in the cubic case. The measures to prevent the failure of electrical installation are helpful when the breakdown voltage and the transient grounding resistance in air increase.