Abstract: | This paper describes results of the discharge luminescence and discharge magnitude measurements performed on the insulation materials exposed to partial discharge. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) with an artificial needle shape void were used as the treeing specimens. The discharge luminescence is observed by image intensifier, and the luminous image is processed by computer. At the same time, the discharge magnitude distribution in relation to phase angle of the applied voltage was measured by a partial discharge measuring system. The mechanism of electric treeing was discussed by not only the measurement of the discharge pulses but also the local luminescence intensity of partial discharge. As a result, the luminescence intensity analysis showed the relation between tree growing length and void length when maximum luminescence intensity moved from the void area to the tree area. Both tree growth and maximum luminescence intensity at the tree area increase with constant ratio. The discharge luminescence intensity at the tree area increases significantly depending on the discharge magnitude in the specific phase angle area in positive and negative. |