Phase-resolved pulsed electro-acoustic technique to detect space charge in solid dielectrics subjected to AC voltage

The PEA technique has been modified to study the space charge development in solid dielectrics subjected to ac electric field. Narrow (5 ns) electrical pulses are applied at various phase angles of the ac waveform. Special software, developed to precisely synchronize the pulse generator with the high voltage supply, applied the narrow pulses at 0 degrees phase angle and then in steps of 10 degrees till 360 degrees. By processing the PEA data at various phase angles of the ac waveform, without resorting to complex mathematical analysis, the electric field at which charges are injected into the polymeric insulation was determined. The Phase Resolved PEA technique can also provide the dynamics of space charge development under ac fields.