Abstract
The object of the research is the circuit simulation model of a streamer breakdown of a rod-rod air gap when exposed to positive voltage pulses. One of the most problematic places in this task is determination of the time interval of the streamer propagation. The lower bound of this interval corresponds to the beginning of the streamer propagation, and the upper bound corresponds to the time when the streamer reaches the opposite electrode. To create such model, it is not enough to take into account only the functional relationship between the breakdown voltage and the spacing between the electrodes.With the help of Kind's equal-area criterion in the circuit simulation programs it is possible to create the model of electrical breakdown of any air gap, including the rod-rod configuration.The article shows how to create the model of electrical breakdown of the air gap in the evaluation version of the Micro-Cap 11 circuit simulator. Using the model, the breakdown time of the air gap is determined when subjected to the lightning pulses of positive polarity with different amplitudes. Wherein, the moments of breakdown of the air gap both at the front and at the tail of the applied voltage pulse are measured. Simulation results are compared with experimental data. It is determined that the simulation relative error does not exceed 10%. As experimental data, the experimentally obtained expression for the volt-time characteristic of the rod-rod air gap subjected to the positive polarity voltage pulses is used.The proposed model allows to predict the volt-time characteristic of various air gaps in a virtual experiment. The model can be used in scientific work or in the educational process as an auxiliary tool for visual demonstration of the conditions for the electric breakdown in long air gaps.
Highlights
In recent years, the role of virtual experiment in the high voltage engineering has been continuously increasing
Preliminary simulation on the personal computer allows to reduce the time to prepare the experiment in a high-voltage laboratory to a certain extent, and in some cases completely replace it
The main aim of the article is to demonstrate the potential possibility for modeling the electrical breakdown of air gaps using circuit simulation programs
Summary
The role of virtual experiment in the high voltage engineering has been continuously increasing. Preliminary simulation on the personal computer allows to reduce the time to prepare the experiment in a high-voltage laboratory to a certain extent, and in some cases completely replace it. For these reasons, immediately after their appearance, va rious circuit simulation programs began to be used both in education and scientific activity. The basis of most thermoelectric devices is a semiconductor thermocouple element, which, along with positive qualities, has drawbacks that prevent further progress in the development of thermoelectricity. The principal shortcomings of the thermocouple element include the ineffective participation of its volume in thermoelectric energy conversion, switching problems, and limitations on the Q-factor of the used materials. It is possible to indicate, in particular, spiral vortex thermoelements, in which the problem of commutation and obtaining the necessary stresses is solved [1, 2]
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