Evaluation of Humidity Correction Factor of Disruptive Discharge Voltage of Standard Sphere Air Gaps

Abstract

AbstractThe humidity correction method prescribed in the existing IEC standard is based on experimental data obtained under absolute humidity between 5 and 12 g/m3. A discussion on the humidity correction method is needed for higher absolute humidity regions, which is experienced during summer in Japan, and also throughout the year in tropical countries. The effect of absolute humidity on disruptive discharge voltages of standard sphere air gaps has been studied experimentally for several years under conditions of natural humidity, between 2 and 22 g/m3. In the cases of a.c. and lightning impulse voltage application, it was found that the existing IEC humidity correction method seems to be proper for most of the gap spacings studied under absolute humidity up to 22 g/m3. Copyright © 2007 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.