Experimental setup for measurements of light emission and electrical parameters during the dc interfacial breakdown on contaminated electrolytic surfaces

The authors have realized an experimental laboratory set up designed to observe and analyze the electric flashover on a slightly conductive surface modelled by a ditch filled by an electrolyte. They emphasize the following features of the work: This device allows one to record nearly at the same time and in one event, the evolution of electrical and optical parameters. The first results confirm the complexity of the phenomena; it seems that the the discharge type could be varied during its lengthening. Modelling work is needed to explain these observations.