A study of the physical mechanisms and the perturbations created by the attachment of an arc to a conducting cylinder

The typical phenomena related to voltage shock excitation of a suspended cylinder are analyzed in comparison with previous interpretations. The respective role, on the external electric field and on the internal voltage transients, of capacitive currents, streamers, leaders and arc transitions are emphasized. The rationale for voltage shock excitation aircraft testing is deduced from the conclusion of the study. Use of a medium-voltage fast rise-time Marx generator (300 kV, 50 ns) rather than a high voltage slow rise-time one (1.4 MV, 1 micron) is recommended.