Studies on Investigation of a Stripe-shaped Destruction Mechanism of a Zinc Oxide Element

Abstract

To investigate a stripe-shaped destruction mechanism of a ZnO element used for a surge arrester, some breakdown tests were carried out. Applying a large impulse current to a ZnO element, a flashover trace was confirmed at the lateral face of the element. It was found that a trace of a stripe-shaped destruction was formed by a fact that AC current flew through the trace due to the flashover caused by a large impulse current.