Stabilization of gas-filled surge arrester’s characteristics by use of ionizing radiation

• Main Authors: Brajović Dragan V., Vujisić Miloš Lj., Stojkanović Mirko N., Kovačević Uroš D., Vasić Aleksandra I.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: VINCA Institute of Nuclear Sciences 2012-01-01
• Series: Nuclear Technology and Radiation Protection
• Subjects: passive and active properties; gas-filled surge arresters; ionizing radiation; neutron radiation
• Online Access: http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/1451-3994/2012/1451-39941203274B.pdf

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 α-particles, γ-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.