Pages: 274-283

Authors: Dragan V. Brajović, Miloš Lj. Vujisić, Mirko N. Stojkanović, Uroš D. Kovačević, and Aleksandra I. Vasić

Abstract

This paper investigates the stabilization of electrical discharges in gases by means of external ionizing radiation. Discharges in a gas-filled surge arrester model were studied in both passive and active regimes of the device. An originally developed model of the gas-filled surge arrester was used. Gas pressure and the interelectrode gap were the variable parameters in our measurements. Applied radiation types included a-particles, g-rays, X-rays, and neutrons. Measurements were performed under highly controlled laboratory conditions. The combined measurement uncertainty of the applied procedure was estimated as being under the 5% level. The results obtained are followed by a theoretical explanation. The crucial result is the conclusion that ionizing radiation does not necessarily degrade the gas-filled surge arrester's functionality but that it, rather, improves it under certain conditions.

Key words: passive and active properties, gas-filled surge arresters, ionizing radiation, neutron radiation

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