Capacitor dielectric question?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the suitability of ionized gas as a dielectric in capacitors. Participants agree that ionized gas acts as a conductor rather than an insulator, leading to high losses and making it an unsuitable dielectric material. The ionization allows current to flow, which is the principle behind devices like gaseous arrestors. Factors such as recombination and neutralization at the electrodes are also important to consider. Overall, ionized gas is not effective for use as a dielectric in capacitors.
trot
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How does the voltage on a capacitor vary if the dielectric is an ionised gas?
 
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This is relevant to my interests too. I want to understand this too. I can say that the ionized gas will have a force acting on it from the electric field which can cause position displacement like in an ion chamber. Because of that, you would have to consider things like recombination and neutralization at the capacitor's electrodes.
 
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trot said:
How does the voltage on a capacitor vary if the dielectric is an ionised gas?
I would say an ionized gas is not suitable as a dielectric. It's a conductor, making for a very lossy dielectric. But maybe I'm missing something here?
 
NascentOxygen said:
I would say an ionized gas is not suitable as a dielectric. It's a conductor, making for a very lossy dielectric. But maybe I'm missing something here?

agreed

as soon as the gas ionises it will pass a current. This is the principle of how gaseous arrestors work. 2 metal plates with a gas in between, when the voltage gets high enough to ionise the gas, it will provide a path for the current to flow

Dave
 
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