Charging and behavior of a spherically conducting particle on a dielectrically coated electrode in the presence of electrical gradient force in atmospheric air

This paper discusses the charging and behavior of a spherically conducting particle on a dielectrically coated electrode in non-uniform dc and ac electric fields between non-parallel plane electrodes in atmospheric air. The charging mechanism of a particle resting on a dielectrically coated electrode is investigated by observing light emissions from partial discharges and by utilizing the dust figure technique. The charge acquired by a particle is estimated from the results of particle motion onset voltage measurement and direct measurement with a Faraday cage. The basic particle movement as well as particle-triggered breakdown characteristics under non-uniform electric field distribution along the electrode surface is also investigated. The results suggest that the effect of the electrical gradient force/dielectrophoretic force on particle motion on a dielectrically coated electrode should be adequately considered in the design of gas insulated systems (GIS). This is because a particle can move laterally on the coated electrode toward increasing electric field regions by the action of the electrical gradient force which is independent of the charge on the particle. Also the possibility of the particle charging and lifting at high field regions or reaching and adhering onto an insulating spacer further increases the risk of breakdown.