Use of photometry in the field of high voltage

Laboratory testing of high voltage tested objects often leads to creation of discharges. Discharges are generated by breakdowns or flashovers outer insulation of the tested objects. These discharges generate emission in the IR, UV and also in the spectrum of light. The spectrum and intensity of radiation is dependent on the duration and level of passing current discharge. The shape, density and the spectrum of the discharge are also to some extent affected by the chemical composition of the gas surroundings, the electrode materials and the atmospheric pressure. The parameters of discharges are usually in HV laboratories specified by the measured time course of voltage and current passing through the discharge. An alternative is using of the analytical tools of lighting laboratory. Timing can be determined by using a fast photodiode. The chemical composition of the gas atmosphere and the electrode material affect the measured spectrum of light and UV. The average measured brightness value is dependent on the passing current of discharge and ambient gas pressure. The content of the article is focused on the application of some instruments from the filed of photometry to the high voltage measurement. This opens up new possibilities for the combination of these two disciplines and finding new possibilities of application.