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Corona Discharge : What is Corona Discharge?

Corona discharge is a luminous partial discharge from conductors and insulators due to ionization of the air, where the electrical field exceeds a critical value.

A high local electric field ionizes the air and causes a discharge. This process is accompanied by excitation of Nitrogen molecules, leading to emission of UV radiation. Buildup of ionization occurs only if electron is going fast enough, i.e. if electric field exceeds a critical value.

Corona Formation
corona PD formation
electron avalanche
electron avalanche

Thus a problem or defect in a component creating a local high electric field will show corona activity. Some molecules are not ionized but excited – emitting photons on relaxation.

Corona Creates Corrosive Materials: Ozone, Nitrogen oxides which in presence of water vapor yield Nitric acid.

Utilities are typically made aware of corona by complaints of faulty radio or television signals. Because corona are invisible in daylight with the naked eye, maintenance crews will investigate by aiming devices such a corona camera or radio antenna at suspected areas, and track corona.

Corona concerns

Corona has the following damaging and environmental disturbing effects:

      • Generation of corrosive materials, like ozone and nitrogen oxides that yields nitric acid under conditions of high humidity. These corrosive materials shorten the life span of high voltage lines and substations components.
      • Corona partial discharge causes damage to HV insulators, especially non-ceramic ( NCI) insulators.
      • Radio interference (RI/ RFI) mainly to AM transmissions.
      • Audio noise. Radio interference and audio noise may raise customer complaints.
      • Corona generates only little heat and therefore is not detected with thermovision cameras.
Corona on tie wire
Corona inspection in substation

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