Electrostatic Grading Structures

Abstract

This note briefly summarises some data obtained in a couple of days’ work with electrolytic tanks on the optimum profiles for field grading electrodes. Symmetrical cases only were considered and Figure 12b-1 shows the nomenclature used for both the 1-D and 2-D cases. In each case the thickness of the slabs forming the two electrodes is chosen and the question is asked for a given separation of these, what the optimum profile is so that a minimum field enhancement exists around the edges. For the 2-D case a second question is what is the field enhancement in the centre of the electrodes. The electrolytic tank is a particularly powerful tool for this work, since even in the limited work noted here, some 20 configurations had to be optimised, each configuration requiring four or five attempts at the profile before a satisfactory one was obtained. Allowing for calibration, rechecks, etc., the actual time to determine these was about four hours.

First Printed as SSWA/JCM/706/66 AFWL High Voltage Notes Note 1 26 Jun 1970