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Breakdown in a Dielectric Liquid

Nature Physical Science volume 229, pages 184–185 (1971)Cite this article

Abstract

WHEN a dielectric liquid is suddenly subjected to a high electric stress, it retains its insulating properties for a certain length of time and then instantaneously (that is, within a nanosecond) becomes a very good conductor when the discharge path is established. In order to observe this phenomenon it is necessary to use a test cell which is an integral part of a carefully matched coaxial system1, otherwise spurious oscillatory phenomena appear. (Indeed, photographs have been published in the literature in which the true step function response is almost completely masked by such oscillations.)

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The City University, St. John Street, London, EC1

    K. D. METZMACHER & J. E. BRIGNELL

  2. the European Organization for Nuclear Research, CERN, Geneva

    K. D. METZMACHER

Authors
  1. K. D. METZMACHER
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  2. J. E. BRIGNELL
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METZMACHER, K., BRIGNELL, J. Breakdown in a Dielectric Liquid. Nature Physical Science 229, 184–185 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1038/physci229184b0

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