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Modeling and analysis of electric field distribution in air gaps, stressed by

breakdown voltages

Article · January 2004

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 International Conference WSEAS MMACTEE 2004
Athens 29-31 December 2004

Modeling and analysis of electric field distribution in air gaps,

stressed by breakdown voltages.
ATHANASIOS MAGLARAS, LEANDROS MAGLARAS
Electrical Engineering Department
Technological Educational Institute of LARISSA
T.E.I of LARISSA, 41110 LARISSA
GREECE.
[email protected], http://www.teilar.gr

Abstract: - This paper investigates the Modeling and Analysis of the electric field distribution in air gaps,
stressed by the breakdown voltages, under different geometries and arrangements, with Finite Element
Method. The influence on the electric field distribution, caused by the insertion of a dielectric insulated plate,
called Barrier, between the electrodes, is presented. The average, the maximum and the minimum value of the
field strength along the gap axis, when the breakdown voltage stresses the air gap are recorded and analyzed.
The results show that the distribution of the field in the gap axis is strongly affected by the geometry and the
arrangement of the gap. The average and the minimum value of the field strength along the gap axis, decreases
when the gap length increases, while the maximum value of the field strength or the Field Factor in the gap,
functions differently, strongly depending on the gap geometry. In a non-uniform field arrangement, such as
rod - plane, a charged dielectric plate, placed between the electrodes of the air gap, influences the distribution
of the electric field. The simulation results are compared with relative results of referent work.

Key-Words: - Breakdown Voltages, air gaps, numerical analysis, Field stregth, Barrier Effect.

1 Introduction the insertion of a dielectric insulated plate, called

The study of the field stregth distribution in electric barrier, between the electrodes in a non-uniform
fields, and especially in non-uniform electric fields electric field arrangement is presented. The simulation
like the fields in rod - plane and rod - rod air gaps, is results are compared with relative experimental or
of great importance in high voltages. One of the most theoretical results of referent research works [5], [7],
determinant factors of the dielelectric strength of the [9], [12].
insulating materials is the field strength distribution
inside the mass of the materials, when stressed by
high voltages. 2 Theoretical approach.
The experimental measurement of the field strength in Software Quick field developed by Terra Analysis has
small air gaps stressed by High Voltages is a very been used in the present paper, which is based on the
difficult process and not quite accurate. The insertion Finite Element Method in order to solve two-
of a measuring arrangement (e.g. a probe), especially dimensional problems, with plane and axisymetric
near the stressed electrode, is not an easy process and models. [1], [2], [3], [4], [17]
it affects the distribution of the field, influencing the
results. The analysis of the proper models of the air The program is based on Gauss’s and Poisson’s
gap electric fields using Laplace’s and Poisson’s equation:
equations for general 2 or 3-dimensional fields with a E= - ∇U (1)
theoretical - mathematical way is more accurate but in
some cases it leads to difficulties and is time
consuming. The most convenient way is to use ∇D=-ρ (2)
numerical procedures.
This paper investigates the Modelling and Analysis of
the electric field distribution in air gaps, stressed by or ∇2U=-ρ/ε (3),
the breakdown voltages, under different geometries
and arrangements with Finite Element Method. The
influence on the electric field distribution, caused by

A. Maglaras, L. Maglaras 1 T.E.I. of Larissa, Greece

 International Conference WSEAS MMACTEE 2004
Athens 29-31 December 2004

where ρ is the space charge density in C/m3, ε is

dielectric constant of the medium, U is the applied
voltage, and D=εE, is the dielectric displacement.
The electric charge density, and total Electric charge
in a particular surface S, or volume included in
surface S, is calculated by equations:

q = ∆Dn, and Q=∫sDn.ds (3)

The boundary conditions and especially the mesh
density used for the analysis are of great importance
for accurate results. Space charges have not been Figure 3. Rod - plate air gap with barrier
taken into account at present work.

3. The simulated models.

The models that have been drawn and analyzed are
typical sphere –sphere, rod - plane and rod - rod air
gaps arrangements, of different geometries. The
sphere electrode is an almost full sphere or a
hemisphere; the rod electrode is a cylinder long
Figure 4. Rod - rod air gap
enough, with a small diameter, and a hemisphere tip.
The plate electrode is a disk plate, with a relatively The average value of field strength, along the axis of
big diameter. One electrode of each arrangement is an air gap is defined as the applied voltage V, divided
stressed by high voltage and the other is grounded. In by the length of the gap G.
some arrangements an insulating dielectric barrier is
located between the electrodes. The insulating barrier Eav = V/G (V/m) (5)
is a disk plate perpendicular to the axis of the gap,
with a very small thickness (less than 1 mm), located The field factor (or efficiency factor) n is a net
in a distance L from the stressed electrode. The number, produced by the division of the maximum
dielectric constant of the barrier is εrb. field stregth Emax along the axis of the air gap,
All the models are axisymetric with a spherical divided by the average field strength Eav of the gap.
boundary surface. The radius of the boundary sphere
is large enough (at least 10 times the arrangement n= Emax/Eav (6)
dimensions) in order to eliminate errors. The
boundary Dirichlet condition is V=0. [1], [17] For two spheres the field factor is calculated from
equation: [4]

n=(G/(R+1)+sqr((G/R+1)^2+8)/4, (7)

or n=G/2R if G>>R (8)

Figure 1. Sphere - sphere air gap For a rod – plate gap from equation: [4]

n=2*G/(r*ln(4G/r) if G>>r (9)

where G is the gap length, R is the sphere radius, and

r the rod tip radius

3.1 MODELS OF AIR GAPS WITHOUT

BARRIER.

Figure 2. Rod - plate air gap Sphere – sphere, rod – plate and rod - rod
arrangements, with different dimensions of the

A. Maglaras, L. Maglaras 2 T.E.I. of Larissa, Greece

 International Conference WSEAS MMACTEE 2004
Athens 29-31 December 2004

sphere, the plate and the rod, different length of the From fig 5 and 6 it results that in the rod-plate
air gap and no barrier between the electrodes, have arrangement the field is much more inhomogeneous
been modeled and analyzed. The field distribution than in the rod-rod and sphere-sphere arrangements.
along axis of the gap is demonstrated in figures With the same value of average field strength, the
below, in relation to the breakdown voltages. Most of maximum value of the field strength is much more
the values of breakdown voltages are measurement higher in the rod-plate air gap, and especially in the
data from experimental referent work [5], [6], [7], [8], arrangement with grounded plate. In the rod-plate
[9], [11], [12] air gap with grounded rod, the field is less
inhomogeneous. The inhomogeneity of the field
ELECTRIC FIELD DISTRIBUTION ALONG THE is one of the basic reasons for the breakdown
AXIS IN AIR GAPS OF DIFFERENT GEOMETRIES. voltage to have different values for different
Eav=1. arrangements and the same gap length. This is shown
in figure 7, for 3 different air gap arrangements.
6
Ffield strength E/Eav

5
BREAKDOWN VOLTAGES OF AIR GAPS
4 Sphere- sphere
70
3 Rod - rod
2 Rod - plate 60

1 plate-
BREAKDOWN VOLTAGE KV

50
plate
0
0 12.5 25 37.5 50 40
sphere-
Distance from rod mm sphere
30

20
rod -plate
Figure 5. The field strength distribution along the axis 10
of the gap for three basic small air gap arrangements:
sphere-sphere, rod-rod and rod-plate. Eav=1 for all 0

three gaps. Results are from the F.E. Analysis

5

11

13

15

17

19

AIR GAP LENGTH mm

AIR GAPS OF DIFFERENT GEOMETRIES. RELATIVE

MAXIMUN FIELD STRENGTH IN FUNCTION WITH GAP
LENGTH Figure 7. Values of breakdown voltage for
10
sphere-sphere, plate-plate, and rod – plate
9 small air gaps
8
MAXIMUM FIELD

7
3.1.1. The sphere - sphere air gaps.
STRENGTH
Emax/Eav

6
5
4
3
The sphere– sphere air gaps are the gaps with the less
2 inhomogeneous electric field distribution along the
1 axis of the gap (figure 8).
0
10 20 30 40 50 60
The models, which have been analyzed, are models
GAP LENGTH mm with sphere diameters of 100 and 250 mm. The
breakdown voltage of the gap increases almost
ROD-ROD. ROD DIAMETER 10 mm
linearly with the gap length, while the field strength
ROD-PLATE GAP. ROD DIAMETER 10 mm. PLATE GROUNDED distribution depends mainly on the gap length.
ROD-PLATE GAP, ROD DIAMETER 10 mm, ROD GROUNDED The maximum value of field strength at breakdown
SPHERE - SPHERE GAP. SPHERE DIAMETER 45 mm
voltage changes slightly with the gap length (figure
9). In the sphere – sphere air gaps the field along the
axis is almost homogeneous. The very small
Figure 6. The maximum value of field strength along inhomogeneity of the field depends mainly on the gap
the axis of the air gap for three basic air gap length, and secondary on the sphere diameter
arrangements: sphere-sphere, rod-rod and rod-plate. The values of breakdown voltage are from referent
Results are from the F.E. Analysis work.

A. Maglaras, L. Maglaras 3 T.E.I. of Larissa, Greece

 International Conference WSEAS MMACTEE 2004
Athens 29-31 December 2004

SPHERE SPHERE AIR GAP. SPHERE DIAMETER 100 SPHERE SPHERE AIR GAP. SPHERE
mm. DIAMETER 100 mm.
GAP STRESSED BY BREAKDOWN VOLTAGE
35 140
FIELD STRENGTH ALONG THE AXIS OF

4000 120

MAXIMUM FIELD STRENGTH ON

31

BREAKDOWN VOLTAGE KV/cm

BREAKDOWN VOLTAGE KV
AXIS OF THE GAP FOR THE
3500 G=5 mm 100
1G=10 m
THE GAP KV/m

3000 27
80
G=20 mm
2500 G=30 mm
60
g=40mm 23
2000
G=50mm 40

1500 G=80 mm 19
20
1000
15 0
15

45

75

9
0

0.

0.

0.

10 20 30 40 50
0.

0.

0.

DISTANCE FROM STRESSED ROD GAP LENGTH G mm

ALONG THE AXIS OF THE GAP, DIVIDED
BY GAP LENGTH G Eav Emax Emin Vb

Figure 8. Sphere-sphere air gap. Field strength Figure 10. Sphere-sphere air gap. The maximum, the
distribution along axis of the gap is shown for minimum, and the average field strength along the
different lengths of the gap, when the gap is stressed axis of the gap are shown in relation to the breakdown
by the breakdown voltage. Sphere diameter is 100 voltage of the gap (Vb). Sphere diameter is 100 mm.
mm. Results from the F.E.Analysis.

SPHERE SPHERE AIR GAP. SPHERE DIAMETER 250 mm.

The values of breakdown voltages are measurement
data from experimental referent work. The maximum
35 400 and the minimum field strength along the axis of the
350 gap are from the Finite Element Analysis of models
30 like the one in fig 11.
BREAKDOWN VOLTGE KV
FIELD STRENGTH ALONG

300
AXIS AT BREAKDOWN
VOLTAGE KV/cm

250
25

200

20
150

100
15
50

10 0
25 50 75 100 125 150 175
GAP LENGTH mm

Emax Emin
Eav Vb
Πολυωνυµική (Emax)

Figure 9. Sphere-sphere air gap. The maximum, the

minimum, and the average field strength along the
axis of the gap are shown in relation to the breakdown
voltage of the gap (Vb). Sphere diameter is 250 mm.
The values of breakdown voltages are from referent
work.

The maximum value of field strength (between 30 Figure 11. Sphere–sphere air gap model. Field
and 33 KV/cm) appears on both electrodes. It depends strength distribution. The continuous lines are
mainly on the sphere diameter and changes slightly equipotentials, and the arrows lengths are
with the gap length. The average field strength proportional to the field strength values. Colors
decreases almost linearly with the gap length are in connection with the density of the field.

A. Maglaras, L. Maglaras 4 T.E.I. of Larissa, Greece

 International Conference WSEAS MMACTEE 2004
Athens 29-31 December 2004

3.1.2 The rod – rod air gap. 3.1.3. The rod-plate air gap.
Although the rod-rod air gap is a symmetric A rod-plate air gap is a non-symmetric
arrangement, the electric field between the rods is arrangement. The electric field between the
much more inhomogenous than in the sphere- electrodes is more inhomogenous than in other
sphere arrangement. The grade of inhomogeniety air gaps. The grade of inhomogeniety depends on
depends mainly on the rod dimensions and the rod and plate dimensions, as well as on the
secondary on the gap length. The experimental gap length. The F.E. Analysis results, in relation with
results for the breakdown DC and AC voltages the experimental results for the values of breakdown
and the F.E. Analysis results for the field strength voltages in the small rod – plate air gaps stressed by
values are shown in the figure 12. AC voltages are shown in the figure 14.

ROD - ROD AIR GAP. ROD DIAMETER 10 mm ROD - PLATE AIR GAP. ROD 6.5 m m , PLATE
50 m m
Eav DC FIELD FACTOR
50 80

Emax DC

5
45

25

35

55

69

89

04
BREAKDOWN VOLTAGE KV
FIELD STRENGTH

1.

1.

1.

1.

1.

2.
70
40
20000 30000 Vb
35 Emin DC
60 18000
KV/cm

30 25000

BREAKDOWN VOLTAGE V
Eav, AC 16000

FIELD STREGTH V/cm

25 50
14000 Eav
20 20000
40 Emax, AC 12000
15
10000 15000
10 30 Emin AC Em ax
8000
5
10000
0 20 Vb DC 6000
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 4000 Em in
5000
AIR GAP LENGTH cm Vb, AC 2000
0 0
5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Figure 12. Rod –rod air gap.. The maximum, the AIR GAP LENGTH mm
minimum, and the average field strength along the
axis of the gap, in relation to the breakdown voltage Figure 14. The average, the maximum, and the
(Vb) of the gap, for DC and AC voltages. Rod minimum value of field strength along the axis of a
diameter 10 mm rod – plate air gap, at breakdown AC voltages.

The average and the maximum value of field strength It is obvious that in the small rod-plate air gaps, the
decrease when the gap length increases up to 8 cm, average and the minimum field strength values
and then tend to achieve steady values, decrease strongly when the air gap length increases,
The model, which has been analyzed with the Finite while the maximum field strength has an almost
Element Analysis, is shown at figure 13. steady value.

Plate

Rod 1 Rod 2 Rod

Figure 13. Rod –rod air gap model. Field strength Figure 15. Rod – plate air gap model. Field strength
distribution distribution

A. Maglaras, L. Maglaras 5 T.E.I. of Larissa, Greece

 International Conference WSEAS MMACTEE 2004
Athens 29-31 December 2004

3.1.4. The plate-plate air gap. barrier. The distribution of the electric charge on the
A plate-plate air gap is a symmetric arrangement with barrier influences greatly the field distribution in the
an almost homogeneous electric field along the axis gap. The influence depends on the magnitude and the
of the gap. duration of the voltage. In case of an impulse voltage
Plate - plate air gap. Plate diameter 50 mm
of very short duration the accumulated charge
produces a high voltage, about equal to the rod
26 35 voltage at the center of the barrier.. [5], [6], [7], [8],
Eav [14], [17].

BREAKDOWN VOLTAGE KV
FIELD STREGTH KV/cm

24
30 KV/cm
The field strength distribution in the gap changes and
22
25 Emax this influences the value of the breakdown voltage of
20 KV/cm
20
the gap. The influence depends on the gap length and
18 Vb max the position of the barrier in the gap. This is called
KV
16
15
the Barrier Effect. [5], [7], [9], [10], [11], [15].
14 10
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

AIR GAP LENGTH mm

Figure 16. The average (Eav), the maximum (Emax),

value (Emin) of field strength along the axis of a plate
– plate air gap, at breakdown voltages, are shown.

At the breakdown voltage the maximum Field

Strength is nearly constant. The average field strength
decreases, since the Field factor increases

3.2 Air gaps with Barriers.

The electrical insulation of power apparatus is
generally made of composite dielectrics. A basic
Figure 17. Rod – plate air gap stressed by high
composite insulation arrangement is that of a
voltage. Electric charge is accumulating and
dielectric plate, called barrier, placed between a high-
distributing on the barrier.
potential rod electrode and a grounded plane or rod
electrode in gas. The influence of the Barrier to the
distribution of the electric field and thus to the FIELD STREGTH ON THE ROD AND THE BARRIER
AND FLASHOVER VOLTAGE OF THE ARRANGMENT
discharge and the breakdown voltage of the gap is
2 23
called the Barrier Effect. [5], [6]. The experimental
1.5 22
study of the Barrier effect dates back to 1920’s.
STREGTH
RELETIVE

VOLTAGE
FLASHOV
FIELD

E/Eav

The dielectric barrier, when placed between the 1 21

ER

KV

electrodes separates the air gap in two different parts. 0.5 20

The first part between the stressed electrode and the 0 19

5 10 20
barrier behaves like a rod - plate arrangement and the
DISTANCE FROM ROD TO BARRIER L mm
second between the barrier and the grounded
electrode behaves like a plate – plate arrangement. Πολυωνυµι κή (Relative Field stregth behind the barrier)

The surface of the barrier facing the rod electrode, Πολυωνυµι κή (Relative Field stregth on the rod)

which is usually the stressed electrode, is called front Πολυωνυµι κή (Flashover voltage KV)

surface of the barrier. The rear surface of the barrier is

the surface that faces the other electrode, which is Figure 18. Rod – plate air gap 50 mm long. Values of
usually the grounded electrode the field strength on the rod and behind the barrier
When an air gap with a barrier is stressed by high along the axis, for different positions of the barrier in
voltage, corona space charges drift through the air to the gap, in connection to the values of the breakdown
the barrier and accumulate on the surface facing the voltage.
stressed rod electrode (front surface, figure 17). If
there is enough time, the charge is distributed firstly It follows from figure 18 that the values of field
on the front surface of the barrier linearly, and then strength on the rod and on the barrier increase as the
uniformly on the surface and the whole body of the barrier is coming closer to the plate, while the

A. Maglaras, L. Maglaras 6 T.E.I. of Larissa, Greece

 International Conference WSEAS MMACTEE 2004
Athens 29-31 December 2004

breakdown voltage of the arrangement decreases.

ROD PLATE 100 mm LONG. A BARRIER AT
Values of breakdown voltages are from referent work, DIFFERENT POSITIONS BETWEEN THE
and values of field strength from F.E. Analysis. ELECTRODES IS UNIFORMLY CHARGED.
[12],[14].
200 5.00E-06

BREAKDOWN VOLTAGE (KV/cm).

CHARGE AT BREAKDOWN
160 4.00E-06
ROD - PLATE AIR GAP 100 mm, WITH DIELECTRIC

FIELD STRENGTH AT

VOLTAGE (C)
BARRIER AT DIFFERENT POSITIONS BETWEEN

VOLTAGE (KV)
120 3.00E-06
THE ELECTRODES. THE ELECTRIC CHARGE IS
LINEARLY DISTRIBUTED ON FRONT SURFACE OF
80 2.00E-06
THE BARRIER, TAKING ITS MAXIMUM VALUE AT
THE CENTER OF THE BARRIER.
250 2.00E-06 40 1.00E-06

200 1.60E-06 0 0.00E+00

FIELD STRENGTH

AT BREAKDOWN

VOLTAGE KV

BREAKDOWN
10 30 50 70 90
CHARGE AT

VOLTAGE C
VOLTAGE

150 1.20E-06
KV/cm

DISTANCE FROM ROD TO BARRIER (mm)

100 8.00E-07 Vb KV
Eav KV/cm
50 4.00E-07
FIELD STRENGTH BEHIND THE BARRIE KV/cm
FIELD STRENGTH ON ROD KV/cm
ELECTRIC CHARGE ON BARRIER C
0 0.00E+00 Π λ ή (FIELD STRENGTH ON ROD KV/ )
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
DISTANCE FROM ROD TO BARRIER mm
BREAKDOWN VOLTAGE
FIELD STRENGTH ON ROD Figure 20. Rod – plate air gap 100 mm long. The gap
FIELD STRENGTH BEHIND THE BARRIER
CHARGE ON BARRIER
Πολυωνυµική (CHARGE ON BARRIER)
is stressed with DC voltage. [7]

When the gap is stressed with a DC voltage the

Figure 19. Rod – plate air gap 100 mm long. The gap phenomenon is more complicated. The duration of the
is stressed with impulse voltage of very short applied voltage is long enough, and there is plenty of
duration. The electric charge is linearly distributed on time for the electric charge to accumulate on the
the front surface of the barrier. [8] barrier uniformly. Of course the maximum value of
the voltage on the barrier cannot exceed the voltage of
From figure 19 it results that the field strength value the rod. From the analysis it follows that the
on the rod increases significantly, when the charged breakdown voltage takes place when the value of the
barrier is moved away from the rod. Practically the field strength behind the barrier along the axis is that
space charge and the electric current through the air of a correspondent plate - plate air gap, and rather
limit its value. smaller than it is expected to be for a homogenous
When the barrier is near the rod, the electric field field. Since the value of the field strength along a
between the barrier and the plate is inhomogenous direction perpendicular to the axis of the gap
and the maximum value of the field strength behind increases from the center to the periphery, it must be
the barrier along the axis is very high at the concluded that the breakdown spark does not follow
breakdown voltage. When the barrier is near the plate the axis of the gap, at least for the part between the
the electric field between the barrier and the plate is barrier and the plate.
less inhomogeneous, and the maximum value of the
field strength behind the barrier along the axis at the
Plate, V=0
breakdown voltage is almost the same with the Barrier, Vb<Vr
corresponding value for a plate-plate air gap. The
Rod, Vr
amount of the electric charge accumulated on barrier
at breakdown voltage increases as the barrier is
moved from rod to the middle of the gap, and then it
decreases significantly. This happens because the part
between the barrier and the plate becomes smaller and
its breakdown voltage decreases.

Figure 21. The model of rod plate air gap with a

charged barrier. The field density between the barrier
and the plate is very high.

A. Maglaras, L. Maglaras 7 T.E.I. of Larissa, Greece

 International Conference WSEAS MMACTEE 2004
Athens 29-31 December 2004

The analysis also showed that the field strength on rod Unhomogenen elektrischen Felde bei
increases very much, when the barrier is moved from verschiedenen, Spannungsarten . ETZ, vol. 33,
rod to the middle of the gap. When the barrier comes pp. 1161-1165.
near the plate the value of field strength on rod [6] Marx E (1930), Der elektrische Durchshlag
decreases again. von Luft im unhomogenen Feid . Arch. f. El.,
vol. 24, pp. 61f.
4. Conclusions [7] Roser, H. (1932), Schirme zur Erhohung der
From the analysis of the different arrangements of the Durchschlagapannung in Luft . ETZ, vol. 17,
air gap models in connection to the values of the pp. 411-412.
breakdown voltages the following conclusions arise. [8] Hidaka K., and Kouno, T., A (1982), Method
1) The distribution of the electric field in a rod – for measuring field in space charge by means
plate or rod – rod air gap is strongly affected by of Pockel’s device. J. Electrostatics vol. 11 pp.
the geometry (shape and dimensions) of the 195-211
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is worth observing that there is a significant Barrier effect on electrical breakdown in air.
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2) The breakdown voltage of the plane gap Barrier effect in small and medium air gaps.
arrangements increases with the gap length, VII International Symposium on High Voltage
especially in the arrangements of rod-rod and engineering, Dresden, pp. 157-160
rod-plate air gaps, in a not linear way. The [11] Topalis, F. V., and Stathopulos, I. A . (1992),
Values of breakdown voltage of air gap Barrier effect on electrical breakdown in non-
arrangements with a barrier depends on the uniform small and medium air gaps. VI
position of the barrier in the gap. The average International Conference on Dielectric
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A. Maglaras, L. Maglaras 8 T.E.I. of Larissa, Greece

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