2302 - 1

NINTH INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM

ON HIGH VOLTAGE ENGINEERING
August28 September 1, 1995
GRAZ CONVENTION CENTER
AUSTRIA, EUROPE
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RESIDUAL GAS PRESSURE
AND MICRODISCHARGE ACTIVITY IN VACUUM
W
Ziomek*,
ID Chalmers**
*
Pozna University of Technology, The Institute of Electrical Power Engineering
Pozna, POLAND
Experiments have been carried out in a vacuum circuit
breaker chamber in which microdischarge activity has been
investigated by means of a frequency spectrum analyser An
interesting phenomenon is reported in which, at a critical
pressure, there is an apparent sudden change in the form of
microdischarge activity. This critical pressure precedes the
pressure range in which vacuum gap loses its high electric
strength and therefore it is suggested that phenomenon reported
might be exploited in an in-situ procedure to test the integrity of
CB chambers.
1. Introduction
Vacuum insulating systems are used in numerous scientific
and technological applications. In the field of electrical power
engineering vacuum is mostly utilised as an insulating medium
for extinguishing chambers of circuit breakers. In the circuit
breakers the quenching capability and high electric strength of
vacuum are utilised. Unfortunately, after several years of service
the residual gas pressure within the sealed vacuum chamber can
increase due to microscopic leaks and outgassing, what can
dramatically decrease the insulating properties of the vacuum
gap.
For any high voltage vacuum system, it is impossible to
estimate the residual gas pressure using the breakdown voltage,
because for a set electrode distance the breakdown voltage
depends on numerous parameters characterizing the state of a
vacuum system. Moreover, each breakdown changes the
electrode surface and the breakdown voltage has a large scatter,
even after long conditioning process with, e.g. multiple
breakdowns. Therefore, here is no strict relation between the
breakdown voltage and the pressure. There are laboratoty
methods allowing the estimation of vacuum level in hermetically
closed objects, based on measurements of the field electron
emission , x-radiation, the influence of magnetic field on
ionisation current etc. [1,2,3], Unfortunately, these methods are
rather complicated and the measurements are exact for an
individual object only, moreover thorough calibrations are
required tbr each measurement. In this research the simple
method of the residual pressure estimation, using the frequency
spectrum analysis of the microdischarge current in a
prebreakdown State 15 proposed.
It is known that the predominant prebreakdown
phenomenon for a short vacuum gap of less than 1 mm is field
electron emission which gives a quasi-steady current of typically
(i0-J0-) A. For a long vacuum gap (over 10 mm) the
microdischarges are dominant which have a form of current
pulses each of which can last for tens of ms and have amplitudes
up to several hundred p.LA [4,5,6]. Thus, for a medium voltage
vacuum interrupter (12-60 kV) which has typically nominal
distance equal to 10 - 14 mm, microdischarges play the primary
role [7].
Microdischarges can be caused by: (i) a secondary
emission of positive and negative ions rejected from both
electrodes, (ii) the small particles removed from one electrode
and striking the second one, (iii) an explosive destruction of the
microprotrusion by thermal action of electron current. Other
mechanisms are also possible, but the most important is self-
sustaining nature of microdischarges, resulting from a
collisionless transport of the particles between the electrodes and
a secondary emission of the particles from the electrodes.
Therefore we assumed that the residual gas pressure, which has
the influence both on a probability of collisions during the
particle flow between the electrodes as well as on intensity of a
secondary emission from the electrodes, is related to the
microdischarge activity.
Mlcrodischarges appearing inside the vacuum chamber are
accompanied by a flow of the pulsed current in an external
circuit and an electromagnetic field (RE interference) in
surrounding space. Thus, to estimate the intensity of
microdischarges we can utilise one of the following
measurement methods in an aspect of frequency: (I) wide-band
method of measurements the partial discharge apparent charge
appearing in a high voltage circuit, and (2) narrow-band method
which uses the frequency spectrum measurements both in a high
voltage circuit and the surrounding air via antenna [8,9]. It was
decided to observe the frequency spectrum of the prebreakdown
current over a pressure range and attempt to identii, the
parameters characterising the microdischarge current spectrum
which might be used to determine a residual pressure within a
sealed vacuum chamber.
I Abstract
th
ISH
**
University of Strathclyde, Centre for Electrical Power Engineering
Glasgow, UNITED KiNGDOM
N
N
2. Experimental
2302 - 2
All investigations were carried out fbr dc voltage of
positive polarity. A Glassman supply of 100kv was used to apply
high voltage to the vacuum gap via a series resistance of 50 Ml
to reduce the current in the event of breakdown. An
investigated object was the vacuum chamber of a medium
voltage interrupter (Vacuum Interrupters, UK), electrodes were
made of Cu-Cr sintered material. The vacuum chamber had a
mechanical device for an electrode adjustment in the range 0 to
16 mm. The current pulses caused by microdischarges were
measured using the Hewlett-Packard Spectrum Analyser, which
enabled digital measurements of a frequency spectrum in the
range from 0 to 1.5 GHz. The pulses were measured as the
voltage across the 200 12 series resistor being fed into the
spectrum analyser. The analyser was protected against
overvoltage by the semi-conductor suppressor.
Rum
The residual gas pressure inside the vacuum chamber was
varied using a turbomolecular pump (Baizers) working together
with a rotary pump. The vacuum line was connected to the
bottom plate of the chamber through a drilled hole. Two valves
were used: one to restrict the pumping rate, and the other, a
precision needle valve, to introduce atmospheric air into the
chamber. The pressure was measured using the Penning gauge,
and varied in the range of 1Th 4- 100 p
The aim of this investigation was to find a relationship
between the microdischarge activity and the residual gas
pressure. The following sequence was chosen: the chamber was
evacuated to the pressure of i- Pa and next the pressure
was increased to 0.4-0.6 Pa. During the increase of residual
pressure several measurements of the frequency spectrum were
done at each step taking a 60 a exposure of microdischarge
activity at an applied voltage of 65 kV and 70 kV. Procedure
described above was repeated several times for gaps of 4, 6, 8,
10, 12 and 14mm.
3. Results and discussion
Figure 2 shows typical recordings from the frequency
spectrum analyser for microdiacharges in 10-mm vacuum gap at
pressures of 2 mPa, 225 mPa, 410 mPa and 430 mPa with an
applied voltage of 65 kV and a total observation time of 60 s. It
appears, that for pressures up to just below 410 mPa , the
microdischarge pulses are fairly evenly spread over the complete
frequency range and that there is little, if any, effect of pressure
on either the pulse height or the frequency content. With
vacuum gaps ranging from 4 mm to 14 mm similar results are
obtained with the total number of microdischarge pulses varying
from one experiment to the next with no clear dependence upon
electrode separation but, as would be expected, consistently
increasing with an applied voltage.
H*T 11 HZ
SM 2 WHo
.
rrcs is
kft
STOP 01100 MHZ
MOM 1. MHz SUP 211
.q MO. 11tTEH iS 411
prAs
LOG
, ..J.
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LkJLA.::r:i.::::.I,
VA
Fr
CORP

M - -
Fig.2. The frequency ipeclrzim of microdischarge pulses;
measuring voltage of 65 kV, electrode dIstance 10 mm,
counting linie 60 s, the pressure of 2 mPa, 225 mPa, 410
mPa and 430 mPa respectively.
At around 410 mPa at 10mm gap there is observed the onset of
a more active microdiacharge regime in which the frequency
profile is dramatically changed with an apparent absence of any
high frequency content above 900 MHz. With increase in
pressure to 430 mPa, microdischarge activity suddenly ceases.
The pressure range over which the latter limited-frequency
activity can be observed is very narrow and is quite possible to
fail to observe and record it if the pressure is increased or
decreased too rapidly.
-Cr 40 WITCH 10 dl
ICMG -
dLLLiiuuu
STOP 1SHS WHo
111111 1 MHZ SUP 25 ol.o
STAPI 142
PtS IS 0 MHz
Fig. 1. Experimental Setup; Rum - current limiting resistance,
Rm - measuring resistance
SIRS? Hz STOP SCSI WHo
RES Dli 0 MHz VIM 1 11HZ SlIP 211 .s.c
dO. RITES II dl
(AK
Is
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STOP 1SI 11HZ
SlIP 211 IoO
2302-3
.0 dO., I,TTcH .0 dO
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(
Fig.3. The microdischarge pulse level in the function of
pressure during 60 s observation time; measuring voltage of
65 kV, electrode distance 10 mm. A - normal microdischarge
activity region at 490 mPa, B - increased limited-frequency
activity of microdischarges at 500 mPa, C - the
microdlscharge extinction region at 530 mPa, D - the
normal microdischarge activity at 460 mPa
In Fig.3 the level of microdiseharge pulses as the function
of time at varying pressure for 10-mm gap at voltage 65 kV is
shown. The observation time was 60 s and the pressure was
varied around the microdischarge extinction region: the pressure
was increased from 490 mPa (A - normal microdischarge
activity region) through 500 mPa (B - increased limited-
frequency activity of microdischarges) to 530 mPa (C - the
microdiseharge extinction region) and next decreased to 460
mPa (D - the normal nucrodischargc activity). It can be seen that
during the transfer from the microdischarge extinction region (C
- 530 mPo)) to the, normal microdischarge activity region (D -
460 mPa) we lost the limited-frequency microdischarge activity
because the pressure was decreased too fast,
It must be emphasised that the results described above are
reproducible in terms of phenomena observed, although the
pressures corresponding to the various microdischarge activity
regimes can vary from one experiment to the next for nominally
identical conditions.
A further interesting observation is that there is a hysteresis
effect in evidence with the critical pressure for the
microdischarge current onset being consistently less than that for
extinction. The results for the experimental gaps d are shown in
Table 1 from which one might infer some dependence of both
onset and extinction pressurep upon thepd product.
Tab. 1. The values of cut-off and onset pressures for different
electrode distances
Distance d 1mm] Extinction Inception
pressure lisiPa] pressure [mPal
4 90050 10040
6 69050 65040
8 55050 50040
10 45050 41030
12 36040 33030
14
j
26040 20030
When we consider the mean free path A. for ion-ion
collision given by expression:
2=2.185.10-Si:
p
where: A. [mJ, temperature T[KJ and p/Pa],
for
p=O. 6
Pa and T=293 K we obtain A. = 10 mm (see Fig.4). It
can suggest that we observe some resonance of ions between
the electrodes because the mean free path of ions and the
electrode distance have the same order of magnitude and there
is a linear relation between the mean free path at the pressure for
the microdischarge extinction or onset and the electrode
distance.
I.e
C
Ii
0.
II
U.
0
Fig.4. Mean free path for ion-ion collision in the function of
pressure at 293 K
On the other hand, there is a reason to believe that the
critical pressures for the extinction and onset of microdischarge
activity may lie in or close to the range over which the electric
strength of the vacuum gap begins to fhil. It is well known that
as the pressure is increased, the breakdown voltage, Vb, of a
vacuum gap remains firly independer of pressure until some
critical level is achieved. The breakdownoltage then increases,
reaches a maximum and then decreases rapidly to the Paschen
minimum (exemplary breakdown characteristict are presented in
FigS).
1
I
0Hz SPAH 0 Hz
S 014. YOu 5 MHz 5Iup 19 I.e
ia-a
0.Hi 0.
Pre..ure tPa
2302 - 4
Fig.5. Relation between breakdown voltage and the residual
gas pressurefor 10 mm vacuum gap for electrodes made of
Al [10] under 60Hz ac voltage, stainless steel [11] under dc
voltage and Cu under 50 Hz ac voltage.
For the conditions of the present experiments, the Vi, vs. p
characteristics were not established although it is certain that for
the highest pressures used, the electric strength of the CB
vacuum chamber was still high (over 100 kV). Comparison with
published data suggests that the pressures where disappearance
of microdischarges is observed may correspond with those at
which the increase in breakdown voltage takes place. If this is
indeed the case, then the phenomenon reported here could
possibly be exploited in a simple procedure to test the integrity
of CB vacuum chambers.
4. Conclusions
I. The spectrum analysis of microdischarge activity in
vacuum insulating systems can be treated as a useful tool in
estimation the state of vacuum.
2. There appears to be no immediately-obvious
relationship between the microdischarge characteristics and
residual gas pressure in a vacuum gap such that the residual
pressure over a wide range could be inferred from observations
of the microdischarges activity.
3. For vacuum gaps in the range 4 - 14 mm, there is a
critical pressure at which micradischarge activity abruptly
increases and then decreases to extinction with further increase
in pressure. Furthermore this increased activity has a completely
different frequency spectrum from that obtaining at lower
pressures. After further investigation this might provide the basis
of a procedure for in-situ testing of vacuum CB chambers.
4. Further investigation should be carried out involving
control of the electrode surface conditions and residual gas
species in order to determine the effect of these variables upon
the phenomena reported here.
References
[1] K I Lucek, I W Pearce Apparatus and Method for
Measuring The Pressure Inside A Vacuum Interrupter, US
Patent Office, No 3.263.162.26, July 1966
[2] F R Frontzek, D Konig, K Heinemeyer Electrical Methods
for Veriing Internal Pressure of Vacuum Interrupters after
Long-time Service, IEEE Trans.no Electr.Insul., Vol.28,
No4, pp.6 35 -641, August 1993
[3] F R Frontzek, D Konig Measurements of Emission Currents
Immediately After Arc Polishing of Contacts. Method of
Internal-pressure Diagnostics of Vacuum Interrupters, IEEE
Trans.no Electr.Insul., Vol.28, No4, pp.700-705, August
1993
[41
A.Selzer Switching in Vacuum: A Review, IEEE
Spectrum, Vol.6, pp.26-37, 1971
[5] R V Latham, High Voltage Vacuum Insulation; The
Physical Basis, Academic Press, London, New York, Sidney,
1981
[6] 0 A Mesyats, D I Proskurovsky, Pulsed Electrical
Discharge In Vacuum, Springer-Vezlag 4Berlin, Heidelberg,
New York, London, Paris, Tokyo, 1989
[7] W Ziomek, H Mocicka-Grzesiak Relation of Breakdown
voltage and Prebreakdown Mlcrodischarge Parameters in
Vacuum, IEEE Trans.on Electr.Insul., Vol.28, No4, pp.481-
487, August 1993
[8] W.Ziomek, H. Medcicka-Grzesiak Radio-frequency
Interference Generated by High Voltage System with
Vacuum Insulation, XVIth Int.Symp.on Discharges and
Electrical Insualtion in Vacuum (Moscow-St.Petersburgh,
Russia), conf.proc.: USA - SPIE Proceedings Series -
vol.2259, 23-30 May 1994
[9] W Ziomek, I D Chalmers, H Mocicka-Grzesiak Analysis of
RE Interference in Vacuum Insulating Systems by Means of
Analog and Digital Measuring Methods, to be published in
Proc. of 9th International Symposium on High Voltage
Engineering, Graz, Austria, 1995
[10] T K Ganju, K D Srivastava Effect of Ambient Gas
Pressure on 60Hz Breakdown in Vacuum, VIIth
lnt.Symp.on Discharges and Electrical Insulation in Vacuum,
Novosibirsk, USSR, August 1976, pp.165-168
[11 ]Ch M Cooke Residual Pressure and Its Effect on Vacuum
Insulation, Proc.of llnd Int.Symp.on Insulation and High
Voltages in Vacuum, MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA,
7-8 Sept.1966, pp.181-19 3
Addresses of authors:
Dr WZiomek
Pozna University of Technology
The Institute of Electrical Power Engineering
3a Piotrowo Str., 60-965 Poznah, POLAND
Prof. ID Chalmers
University of Strathclyde,
Centre for Electrical Power Engineering
204 George Str. Glasgow, 011 XW, UK
1.000E041.000E03 0.01 0.1
Pressure [Pa]
to
- Cu SSt. --
Al