SOME RESULTS ON THE ELECTRICAL BREAKDOWN OF LIQUIDS USING PULSE TECHNIQUES

Abstract

Polar and nonpolar organic liquids of relatively simple structure have been used as test liquids. To obtain reproducible results and to avoid the considerable errors due to minute solid particles an apparatus has been constructed in which the liquid may be distilled and the breakdown measurements made within a completely enclosed system and at pressures less than atmospheric when desired. Single, rectangular pulses of voltage were applied to a pair of highly polished, metal spheres immersed in the test liquids. Time delays in breakdown of the order of one microsecond, the exact value depending on the gap width, have been found for the liquids used. In the liquid state hexane and ethyl alcohol were found to have negative temperature coefficients of breakdown strength. The breakdown strength of benzene was found to depend on the cathode metal but was independent of the anode metal. A reduction in gap width gave rise to an increase in breakdown strength for benzene and n-hexane.