Characteristics of electrostatic discharges between metallic objects in the ion‐flow field under HVDC lines

Abstract

Metallic objects under high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission lines will produce certain induced voltages due to the charging of ion flow. Electrostatic discharge (ESD) may occur between two objects at different potentials when they are close enough to spark under HVDC transmission lines. With a view to investigating such events in the ion-flow field generated by HVDC transmission lines, a laboratory study on the ESD characteristics of two metallic objects in a close approach to each other under HVDC line is conducted. Discharge current and induced voltage are monitored to analyse the effect of experimental parameters. The ground-level electric field without objects was measured, and the relationship between it and the voltage on objects was explored.