Paschen Law Calculator Philippines

Paschen's Law:

\[ V_b = \frac{B \cdot p \cdot d}{\ln(A \cdot p \cdot d) - \ln(\ln(1 + \frac{1}{\gamma_{se}}))} \]

Pressure (p):

Torr

Distance (d):

Gas Type:

Breakdown Voltage (V_b):

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1. What is Paschen's Law?

Paschen's Law describes the breakdown voltage necessary to initiate an electric discharge in a gas between two electrodes as a function of pressure and gap distance. It's fundamental in designing high-voltage equipment and understanding gas discharge phenomena.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses Paschen's Law:

\[ V_b = \frac{B \cdot p \cdot d}{\ln(A \cdot p \cdot d) - \ln(\ln(1 + \frac{1}{\gamma_{se}}))} \]

Where:

\( V_b \) — Breakdown voltage (V)
\( p \) — Pressure (Torr)
\( d \) — Distance between electrodes (cm)
\( A, B \) — Gas-dependent constants
\( \gamma_{se} \) — Secondary electron emission coefficient

Explanation: The equation shows that breakdown voltage depends on the product of pressure and distance (pd), with a minimum breakdown voltage at a specific pd value.

3. Importance of Breakdown Voltage Calculation

Details: Accurate breakdown voltage calculation is crucial for designing electrical insulation systems, high-voltage equipment, and plasma devices. It helps prevent unintended electrical discharges.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter pressure in Torr, distance in cm, and select the gas type. All values must be positive. The calculator provides breakdown voltage for standard conditions in the Philippines.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the Paschen minimum?
A: The minimum voltage at which breakdown can occur for a given gas. For air at STP, it's about 327V at pd ≈ 0.57 Torr·cm.

Q2: How does altitude affect breakdown voltage?
A: Higher altitudes (lower pressure) generally increase the required breakdown voltage for the same gap distance.

Q3: What are typical values for different gases?
A: Air: ~3000V/mm at STP, SF6: ~8900V/mm, Hydrogen: ~2000V/mm (all at standard conditions).

Q4: Does electrode material matter?
A: Yes, through the secondary emission coefficient (γ), but this calculator uses typical values for each gas.

Q5: How accurate is this calculator?
A: It provides good estimates for uniform fields and standard conditions. Real-world applications may require adjustments.