Utilizing as a Crest-voltmeter the Lichtenberg's figure obtained on the rotating film, which was connected in parallel with the gap under test, the writer investigated the dis charge chacter of var ous gaps subjected to impulse overvoltages.The value of the impulse voltage was chosen high as to afford the discharge in the test gap before its peak value has been reached. The peak value of the impulse voltage employed was about 13 K. V. and its wave front upts 8 K. V. was estimated (refering to the paper of A Leon'iewa) to have the steapness corresponding to the wave length of 42 meter.
From the experiments, following results are obtained.
(1) Under the equal impulse over-voltage supply, the impulse ratio referred to the continuously applied a c. brealc-down voltage becomes the higher, the shorter the gap length.
(2) When the gap leagths are adjusted so as to discharge at equal value of continuously applied voltage, the sphere gap and neellegap give the nearly equal impulse ratio for egual impulse over-voltage. Wide difference in dis charge character betw. F. W. Peek's experiments, which are made at critical voltages, and mine at midway of rise of impulse over-voltage should be noted and deserves to further study.
(3) As to the impulse voltage discharge between the uusymmetrical electrodes, the characteris'ic curves relating to the breakdown voltage and the gaplen th are similar for both pos. & neg discharges, with those obtained under rectified pulsating D. C. Voltage.
Tn both casea, the curves cross at about 22m.m. gap-length and at shorter distances the spark-over voltage is larger when the pt. is pos. & smaller when it is neg., for longer spacings the reverse being the case. (June. 1926)
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