Soil Response to High Voltage Discharge

ABSTRACT EXPLORATORY laboratory studies investigated the effects of electrical circuit and soil parameters on high voltage capacitive discharges through soil. Up to a critical electric field, the discharge waveform was characteristic of an overdamped R-L-C circuit, with no specimen damage. Above the critical field, a current filament formed through the soil, the resistance dropped dramatically, a very large and high frequency current was observed, and the specimen was violently disrupted. Soil moisture and porosity were significant in determining the critical electric field. Small capacitors had to be charged to higher voltages (but less energy) than did large capacitors to produce filamentation.