Progression of positive corona on cylindrical insulating surfaces Part I: influence of dielectric material

Experiments are described on the propagation of corona discharges over the surfaces of cylindrical PTFE and porcelain insulators under positive impulse voltages. A rod-plane electrode arrangement has been used to which a single value of peak voltage, with the same impulse profile, has been applied throughout. Quantities measured were inception times and voltages, corona current and light output at selected axial regions of the corona. Still photographs of the corona appearance have been taken. Comparison has been made between the surface corona and that in air alone. Interpretation is based on knowledge of the electric field profiles, as modified by the insulators and the possible effects of the surface on the discharge. These are discussed in terms of the presence or absence of charge attachment, the effects of the surface on electron production and the effect of the permittivity of the materials. Index Terms--Surface ionization, positive corona, insulating surfaces.