Pulse Electrical Strength of Polymer Dielectric Films

The pulsed electrical strength of PP and PET films has been investigated. It has been established that the breakdown of these films is possible both at the front and at the plateau of the pulse. A jump in the durability of the films has been recorded during the transition from breakdown at the front to breakdown at the plateau of the pulse. It has been shown that the processes preparing the electric breakdown of the films develop faster at the front, and not at the plateau of the pulse. A possible physical mechanism explaining this effect has been discussed.