THE MORPHOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR OF THE WATER TREE

The internal structure of water trees is examined in detail, particula rly the nonuniformity of their internal structure. The quantitative sp ace distribution of 'bouquets' and microcavities is given. Based on th e fact that the water tree is composed of a number of microcavities fi lled with liquid, we analyze the behavior of water trees, i.e. the die lectric properties of the zone of the water tree and its influence on the distribution of the electric field. Then, an interpretation for th e development of the water tree is proposed and a possible cause of wa ter tree-induced breakdown is suggested.