Eur. Phys. J. Appl. Phys. 30, 117-123 (2005)
https://doi.org/10.1051/epjap:2004222

Electrostatic force measurements in positive unipolar wire-to-plane corona discharges in air

BonPhysics B.V., Laan van Heemstede 38, 3297 AJ Puttershoek, The Netherlands

Corresponding author: victor@bonphysics.nl

Received: 12 July 2004
Revised: 21 September 2004
Accepted: 22 October 2004
Published online: 21 December 2004

Abstract

Measurements of electrostatic force generated in the drift region of a positive unipolar wire-to-plane corona discharge in air are compared with numerical simulations. The generated force does not depend on the ion mobilities, preventing the influence of uncertainty and variation of these parameters. A method is described to simulate the voltage and charge distribution for a wire-to-plane set-up. This method enables the determination of the transition between unipolar and bipolar discharges. In the experimental set-up breakdown electric field of air reduces with increasing discharge current.