Two-dimensional residual charge density distribution measurement of surface leader

Abstract

The charge density distribution of the surface leader has never been measured before. Because the surface leader usually covers a long distance, and the surface potential caused by leader discharge is usually very high, this creates difficulties in measuring the potential distribution of the surface leader. In this paper, with a feedback type electrostatic probe based on a field-nullify technique, a charge density distribution scanning system is developed. A two-layer structure pipe is designed to lower the surface potential after discharge. In this way, the surface potential distribution caused by the residual charge of the leader discharge under the application voltage as high as to 40 kV can be measured. The surface charge density distribution including the leader and streamer is perfectly measured, which is in good agreement with the photograph. • A surface potential scanning system with a feedback type electrostatic probe is developed. • Surface charge decay in 3 h is approximately 10%. • Measured charge density pattern agrees well with high speed photograph. • A knee point on main discharge channel is related to streamer-to-leader transition.