Urement of the Temperature Decay of High Current Spark Channels in Air†

Abstract

Abstract This paper describes a technique for measuring the temperature decay in a spark gap after the passage of a high current discharge. The discharge current is 187 kA, find temperature measurements in air at atmospheric pressure are given for 6'4 and 16 mm diameter tungsten electrodes and for 16 and 76 mm diameter copper electrodes. The effects of electrode size and material on the temperature are discussed, and it is observed that most of the channel is at a uniform temperature during the recovery period following the discharge. By a comparison of results from temperature measurements and re-ignition voltages, it is concluded that the gas temperature is an important controlling factor in the recovery of high current spark gaps, although other processes are active under certain conditions.