Sandia National Labs Water-Dielectric Breakdown Data

Equation #1, #2, and #3 below are imperical equations, acquired from the journal article listed at the bottom of this analysis. The equations relate the electric field intensity to the temporal pulse width of a voltage signal. Equation #1 considers an infinite area capacitor. Equation #2, and #3, consider bounded area capacitors. Equation #1 is of recent data published by Sandia National Laboratories, whereas Equation #2, and #3, are considerable precedence created in prior art. The following unit specifications are used: E = MV/cm; t = microseconds; and A = cm^2.

Equation #1: E * t^(0.330 +/- 0.026) = 0.135 +/- 0.009; Produced by Sandia National Laboratories
Temporal Limits of equation #1: .011uS <= t <= .6uS
Distance limits of equation #1: 12.5mm <= d <= 220mm
Equation #2: E * t^(1/3) * A^(.058) = .230; Produced by Smith and colleagues
Equation #3: E * t^(1/3) * A^(1/10) = .3; Produced by AWRE at Aldermaston

Example #1 Produced by Equation #1
According to the equation, a capacitor of plates spaced 12.5 millimeters apart can have "voltage breakdown" induced at a magnitude of ~199 kilovolts given the following. The pulse width should be an average of .6 microseconds, which is a frequency of 1.667 megahertz. The latter values are averages; please note that tolerance should be considered due to the +/- aspect of the main equation.

Analysis of Example #1
Note that equation #1 specifically assumes an infinitely large capacitor; this is a standard physical concept. By referencing the behavior of Equation #2, and #3, it can be shown that the electric field magnitude, necessary to induce voltage breakdown, is inversely proportional to the area of the capacitor. Also, the distance between the anode and the cathode is inversely proportional the voltage needed to induce a specified electric field magnitude. Given Example #1, and the information set forth in Equation #2, and #3, calculations can be made for any size capacitor, of any anode/cathode spacing, that will provide reasonable information, if not conceivable estimates of the parameters necessary to induce voltage breakdown.

Please note that this page has changed recently and the following is a disclaimer. Upon further investigation, the implications of the recent Sandia National Labs article has limitations and constraining specifications beyond what was initially concluded; this does not diminish the value of Equation #1, but it does force the region of "voltage breakdown" into higher magnitude levels than origionally calculated. I will further investigate the precedent prior art equations #2, and #3, and will do subsequent analysis to determine the limitations, boundaries, and constraints contained within their research specifications. A precise specification must exist for equation #2, and #3, and if the range allows for the generation of values that are much lower in magnitude, as compared to equation #1, the implications and applications of the equations can be used to generate increasingly practical values, more so within the reach of the general public, as compared to the values produced by Equation #1.

Please Especially Note
"Voltage breakdown" is not electrolysis! "Voltage breakdown" uses pure water as an insulator, whereas electrolysis requires electrolyte. Please refer to the the 1'st and 2'nd laws of electrolysis for the precise parameters of an electrolytic reaction.



The above data is a breakdown of the Journal Article listed below. The experimentation was conducted at Sandia National Laboratories pertaining to the voltage breakdown of water. The data was created for the design of water based electrical insulation systems, but is pertinent otherwise. Since the data was captured by Sandia National Laboratories the nature of its source is extremely credible, thus allowing for the extraction of substantially meaningful values.

The Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet Above

A link to the Sandia National Labs Journal Article Where this Data Was Published

A Backup Permalink to the Article On This Server (PDF Format)

Capacitor Calculations (With these, calculations can be made to determine how much voltage, current, and frequency is required to implement Equation #1, #2, and #3 above.