The discussion clarifies the distinction between Corona Discharge and Dielectric Breakdown. Corona Discharge occurs under high electric fields but does not create a conductive channel, resulting in a weakly ionized non-equilibrium plasma with low current. In contrast, Dielectric Breakdown involves a well-conducting channel formed by ionized air, allowing for high current flow. Key characteristics include the energy levels of ionization (1-3 eV for corona) and the absence of sparks in corona discharge, which differentiates it from the more energetic and conductive nature of dielectric breakdown.
PREREQUISITESElectrical engineers, physicists, and students studying plasma physics or electrical discharge phenomena will benefit from this discussion.
Thermodynamically, a corona is a very nonequilibrium process, creating a non-thermal plasma. The avalanche mechanism does not release enough energy to heat the gas in the corona region generally and ionize it, as occurs in an electric arc or spark. Only a small number of gas molecules take part in the electron avalanches and are ionized, having energies close to the ionization energy of 1 - 3 ev, the rest of the surrounding gas is close to ambient temperature.