Paschens Law

It has been seen earlier that breakdown criterion in gases as

(ed -1) =1 ..(1)

the

Where the coefficients & are functions of E/p i.e /p =f1 (E/p) And = f2 (E/p) And E=V/d or, /p =f1 (V/pd) =p f1 (V/pd) = f2 (V/pd)
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Paschens Law
Substituting for E ,, in equation (1), we get f2(V/pd)[epdf1(v/pd)-1)] =1 This equation shows a relationship V and pd and implies that the breakdown voltage varies as the product pd varies Knowing the nature of functions f1 & f2 , we can write V= f(Vd) This equation is known as Paschens Law.
Vs

Vsmin
(pd)1 (pd )min (pd)1

Paschens Law
This means that a breakdown voltage of a uniform field gap is a unique function of the product of p (the gas pressure) and d( the electrode gap) for a particular gas and for a given electrode material. Paschens Law is found to be valid over a wide range values of pd. In order to account for the effect of temperature, the Paschens Law is generally sated as V=f(Nd) where N is the density of gas molecules This is because the pressure of the gas changes with temperature according to the gas law pv= NRT where v is the volume of gas ,T is the temperature and R is a constant.
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Paschens Law
Based on the experimental results , the breakdown potential of air expressed as a power function of pd as V= 24.22[293pd/760 T]+6.08[293pd/760T]1/2

Practical consideration in using gases and gas mixtures for insulation purpose.
Generally , the preferred properties of a gaseous dielectric for high voltage applications are.. a) High dielectric strength b) Thermal stability and chemical inactivity towards materials of construction. c) Non-flammability and physiological inertness and environmentally non hazardous d) Low temperature of condensation e) Good heat transfer f) Ready availability at moderate cost
Sulphur hexafluride(SF6) which has received much study over the years has been found to posses most of the above requirement
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Vacuum Insulation
According to Townsends Theory , the growth of current in a gap depends on the drift of the charged particles. Ideally , in perfect vacuum, there is absence of any charged particle so there should be no conduction and the vacuum should be perfect insulating medium. However, in practice, the presence of metallic electrodes and insulating surfaces within the vacuum makes its conduction Various theories have been postulated to explain the breakdown phenomenon in vacuum
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Vacuum Insulation
What is Vacuum?
A Vacuum is a system in which pressure is maintained at a value much below the atmospheric pressure.

In vacuum pressure is measured in terms of mm of Hg , where one standard atmosphere is equal to 760 mm of Hg at 0 C. mm of Hg is also known as Torr by International Vacuum Society 1 mm of Hg = 1 Torr Vacuum nay be classified as High Vacuum: 1*10-3 to 1*10-6 torr Very High Vacuum: 1*10-6 to 1*10-8 torr Ultra high Vacuum : 1*10-9 torr and below For electrical insulation purpose , the range of vacuum generally used is the high Vacuum in the pressure range of 10-3 to 10-6 torr

Vacuum Breakdown
Vacuum breakdown is divided into three Categories a) Particle Exchange Mechanism b) Field Emission Mechanism c) Clump Theory

Particle Exchange Mechanism

It is assumed that charge particle (electron) would be emitted from one electrode under the action of high electric field. They impinge on the other electrode, it liberate photons and +ve particle. Photon &+ve particle strike back and release more original type of particles. These particles are accelerated by the applied voltage back to the first electrode where they release more of the original type of particles This process becomes cumulative ,a chain reaction occurs which leads to the breakdown of the gap. 9

Particle Exchange Mechanism

The particle exchange mechanism involves electrons , positive ions , photons and the absorbed gases at the electrodes surfaces.

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Field Emission Theory

There are two mechanism of this theory
a) b) Anode Heating Mechanism Cathode Heating Mechanism

Anode Heating Mechanism

This theory postulates that electrons produced at small micro-projections on the cathode due to field emission bombard the anode causing a local rise in temperature and release gases and vapours into vacuum gap. These electrons ionize the atoms of the gas produce positive ions. These positive ions arrive at the cathode, increase the primary electrons emission due to space charge formation and produce secondary electrons by bombarding surface.
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Field Emission Theory

Anode Heating Mechanism
The process continues until a sufficient no of electrons are produced to give rise to breakdown.

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Field Emission Theory

Cathode Heating Mechanism

Vapour Cloud is formed at the tip of the cathode

This mechanism is caused after anode heating mechanism. This mechanism takes place near the break down voltage of the gap. Sharp points on the cathode surface are responsible for the existence of the pre -break down current Current causes resistive heating at the tip of a point and when a critical current density is reached , the tips melts & explodes , thus initiating vacuum discharge. Breakdown takes place at 106 to107.
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Field Emission Theory

Cathode Heating Mechanism

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Clump Mechanism
This theory has been developed on the following assumptions (i) A loosely bound particle (clump) exists on one of the electrode surfaces (ii) On the application of high voltage , this particle gets charged, subsequently gets detached from mother electrodes and is accelerated across the gap (iii) The breakdown occurs due to a discharge in the vapour or gas released by the impact of particle at the target electrode.
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Clump Mechanism

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