Electrostatic discharges from charged cylindrical bodies to grounded or floating surfaces

Most of the studies carried out on the hazards related to electrostatic dis charges (ESD) assume that the breakdown strength of air, at atmospheric pre ssure, is 30 kV/cm. The authors have developed numerical techniques for a m ore accurate estimation of the conditions in which a self-sustaining discha rge can occur between conductive bodies of different shapes and sizes. An a nalysis is presented of three ESD events involving charged cylindrical bodi es in the proximity of grounded or floating surfaces. The voltage at breakd own, the critical charge that triggers the discharge, the charge exchanged between the two bodies, and the energy transferred in the discharge are eva luated as functions of various geometric parameters. The interpretation of the results provide a better understanding of the multitude of factors whic h determine the probability of a discharge and the relative severity of suc h an event in various technical systems.