Robert J. Kleckner

Dynamics of a wire in positive corona discharge

This theoretical and experimental investigation studies the corona induced oscillation of a wire located near a ground plane. The corona is created by a high, positive dc, potential difference between the wire and the plane. The motion of 1.5 and 3.5 mil inch diameter wires is optically measured. The effects of voltage, mechanical tension, spacing, and several other primary operating parameters are explored experimentally. Neutral stability curves are determined. A theoretical model of the wire motion is presented. The model considers the high voltage driver circuitry, the conduction of current through air and the wire dynamics. The wire motion is obtained numerically. The model is linearized and a stability analysis is performed. The constraints on the operating parameters that are necessary for stable equilibrium are discussed. The results are compared to measured data.