Electric field reduction due to charge accumulation in a dielectric-covered electrode system

Outlines for increased insulation performance of an air gap through the use of dielectric coatings are given. Theoretically, it is shown that the homogeneous electric field in a plane-parallel electrode system can be reduced if the electrodes are covered with a thick dielectric coating. Free charges will be affected by the electric field between the electrodes and are deposited at the dielectric surfaces. As a consequence, a counteracting electric field component results, which accordingly causes a reduction of the total electric field in the air gap and an enhancement of the field in the dielectric layers, i.e. the electric field is forced into the dielectric coatings by the charges. This effect has important implications in HV engineering. Introductory experiments supporting the idea have been carried out with promising results. It was confirmed that the withstand voltage of a plane-parallel electrode geometry with an open air gap, for dc as well as unipolar impulse voltage, could be increased considerably if the electrodes were covered with thick polymeric layers. Charge formation at the electrode surfaces as well as in the air gap is believed to be responsible for this effect. In today's insulation systems, this is known to work only for time-independent electric fields, i.e. generally dc voltages. Further experimental work is required and will be performed in order to scrutinize thoroughly and clarify the phenomenon, its capabilities and limitations.