In commercial liquids, which are not pure, the presence of suspended foreign particles has a significant impact on the overall breakdown strength.
When an electric field is applied across such a commercial liquid, the suspended particles align themselves depending on their permittivities. If the permittivity of the suspended particles is more than the liquid, eg. paper particles, the particle will experience a force towards the area of higher stress.
If the permittivity of the particle is lesser than that of the liquid, eg. gas bubbles, the particle will experience a force towards the area of lower stress.
This results in the particles aligning themselves in a region. As they accumulate, they may bridge the two electrodes and cause a breakdown.
When an electric field is applied across such a commercial liquid, the suspended particles align themselves depending on their permittivities. If the permittivity of the suspended particles is more than the liquid, eg. paper particles, the particle will experience a force towards the area of higher stress.
If the permittivity of the particle is lesser than that of the liquid, eg. gas bubbles, the particle will experience a force towards the area of lower stress.
This results in the particles aligning themselves in a region. As they accumulate, they may bridge the two electrodes and cause a breakdown.