Metallic foreign objects in various types of power equipment may cause discharge problems. To achieve accurate multi-spectral monitoring of the discharge phenomenon caused by metallic foreign object, it is necessary to deeply understand its influence on the mechanism of optical radiation during discharge. Currently, research on the impact of metallic foreign objects on high-voltage discharge is mostly focused on the macro level, without delving into the micro-particle level to analyze its effect on the discharge mechanism, and the influence of metallic foreign object on optical radiation during discharge has not been thoroughly explored. To address these issues, this paper analyzes the characteristics of metallic foreign object's impact on the full-band optical radiation of discharge and its influence mechanism on the day-blind ultraviolet band through experiments and simulations.
A high-voltage discharge experimental platform was first constructed. Discharge images were captured using ultraviolet and high-speed cameras, and the emission spectra were measured with a spectrometer to investigate the influence of metallic foreign object on full-band optical radiation during discharge. The effect of metallic foreign objects on the generation of day-blind ultraviolet radiation was further studied. It was verified that the particle transitions responsible for producing day-blind ultraviolet radiation are mainly $\mathrm{N}_{2}\left(\mathrm{~A}^{3} \Sigma_{\mathrm{u}}^{+} \rightarrow \mathrm{X}^{1} \Sigma_{\mathrm{g}}^{+}\right)$ and NO-γ(A²Σ⁺(v′)→X²Π(v″)). Based on this, a two-dimensional plasma simulation model was constructed to investigate the effect of different quantities of large metallic particles and varying masses of metal shavings on the discharge process. The model was used to calculate the number densities of NO(A²Σ⁺) and $\mathrm{N}_{2}\left(\mathrm{~A}^{3} \Sigma_{\mathrm{u}}^{+}\right)$ particles under different conditions, and the simulation results were validated by comparing them with the measured spectra. The experimental and simulation results were then comprehensively analyzed to explore the influence of metallic foreign object on day-blind ultraviolet radiation during discharge.
High-speed camera reveals that metallic foreign object increases the chance of arc formation between the tip of the needle electrode and the metallic foreign object. From the spectrum of the 200-1000 nm band measured in the experiment, it is evident that the increase in metallic foreign object enhances the optical radiation across the entire spectrum generated by the discharge. However, this enhancement is selective to certain bands, with the ultraviolet and visible light bands responding more sensitively. Therefore, ultraviolet and visible light detection is more effective for monitoring discharges caused by metallic foreign objects.
Analysis of UV images, 240~280 nm spectra, and simulations shows that an increase in the metal foreign object causes an increase in the amplitude of the spectral curve of the sun-blind UV band, an increase in the number densities of NO(A²Σ⁺) and $\mathrm{N}_{2}\left(\mathrm{~A}^{3} \Sigma_{\mathrm{u}}^{+}\right)$ particles, and an increase in the rate of the chemical reactions in the discharge region; however, the spectral shape remains basically unchanged, which means that it does not affect the types of chemical reactions and the relative ratios among them. By combining the electric field simulation results, the reason can be analyzed as follows: the metal foreign object increases the strength and inhomogeneity of the electric field, promoting the excitation and ionization of particles. This leads to the production of more NO(A²Σ⁺) and $\mathrm{N}_{2}\left(\mathrm{~A}^{3} \Sigma_{\mathrm{u}}^{+}\right)$ particles, thus promoting the enhancement of the sun-blind ultraviolet radiation.
The results of this paper apply to discharge phenomena in air influenced by metallic foreign objects, and the influence of metal particles on discharge in SF₆ and its alternative gases will be further investigated in the future.