Characteristics of lightning impulse breakdowns in inhomogeneous $SF_6$ gas gap

불평등전장에서 $SF_6$ 기체의 뇌임펄스 절연파괴특성

V-p characteristics and the discharge luminous characteristics in inhomogeneous $SF_6$ gas gap under the positive and negative lightning impulse voltages are presented. The test gap was composed of the plane-to-plane with a needle-shaped protrusion. The applied voltage and the predischarge current were measured by the electric field sensor and the shunt of 50 ${\Omega}$, respectively. The light emission signals were observed by a photomultiplier tube, and a high-speed camera. In a consequence, the dielectric strengths of $SF_6$ gas gap under positive lightning impulse voltages were independent of the gas pressure. In the presence of the positive polarity, the branches of discharge channel were created and the directions of the discharge paths were random. On the other hands, the discharge paths of the negative polarity were more thicker and brighter.