PERFORMANCE OF A 16.7-M AIR ROD-PLANE GAP UNDER A NEGATIVE SWITCHING IMPULSE

Experimental results of the development of a negative discharge in a 1 6.7 m rod-plane air gap are presented. Similarities with the cloud-to- earth discharge are found and some characteristic parameters are compa red. Use of an image converter linked to two still cameras allows quit e accurate analysis of the discharge propagation. Information relative to the space leader inception is provided. The current pulse shapes a re related to the mechanisms of propagation and the thermal channel di ameter of the discharge in the vicinity of the rod, which is measured with the help of schlieren records.