Molly Ayala
Electric discharge is a term used in science to describe the process of a flow of electric charge from one body to another. It can also refer to the excitation of atomic states in a gaseous medium when an electric current passes through it, as observed in sources such as fluorescent lamps. Electric discharge machining (EDM) is a manufacturing process that enables the machining of all electrically conductive materials, regardless of their hardness or strength. EDM is used in a variety of applications, including the manufacturing of complex 3D geometries, micro-gears, and other micro-parts. The term electric discharge is also used to describe the behavior of certain animals, such as electric eels, which emit weak electric discharges to sense their location and find shelter. It is also used to describe the electric shock produced by animals, such as the 860-volt shock of electric eels.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Electric discharge refers to the excitation of atomic states in a gaseous medium when an electric current passes through it. |
| Process | The process of the flow of electric charge from one body to another, the separation of charge inside a body, and the formation of clouds. |
| Applications | Electric discharge machining (EDM), spark gaps, arc welding, and the production of alloys and other products. |
| Examples | Lightning strike, electrical short-circuit, electric eels, and high-voltage insulation systems. |
| Measurement | Discharge inception voltage (Vi) and breakdown voltage can be measured. |
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What You'll Learn
Electric discharge machining (EDM)
EDM is particularly useful for manufacturing complex 3D geometries, especially when creating dies and molds. It can be used to cut through thick or thin metals with high-quality surface finishes and tight tolerances. Common materials for EDM include steel, stainless steel, and aluminum.
The EDM process involves several steps. First, an electrode with the desired geometry must be machined. Next, the desired shape is created by the tool eroding the material at a high power. This is followed by several finishing steps, each using a lower discharge energy than the previous.
A variant of EDM, micro-electric discharge machining (µ-EDM), is used for micro-machining applications, including the manufacturing of miniature gears and other micro-parts. The main objective of µ-EDM is to minimize the erosion of the workpiece in a single discharge, while standard EDM maximizes erosion. The µ-EDM process uses deionized water as a dielectric to prevent the formation of a white or recast layer, which can occur with mineral oils. It also employs a pulse generator that produces very small pulses, enabling the use of low discharge energies to remove small volumes of material. This allows for improved precision and design freedom, making it useful for applications in MEMS, biomedical devices, the automotive industry, and the defense industry.
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Electrical breakdown in liquids
Electric discharge refers to the excitation of atomic states in a gaseous medium when an electric current passes through it. Electric discharge machining (EDM) is a manufacturing process that enables the machining of all electrically conductive materials independent of their hardness or strength. The main application for EDM is the manufacturing of complex 3D geometries, especially the manufacturing of dies and molds. The process is based on the erosive effect of electrical discharges that are ignited between the tool and workpiece electrode.
Electrical breakdown or dielectric breakdown is a process that occurs when an electrically insulating material (a dielectric), subjected to a high enough voltage, suddenly becomes a conductor and current flows through it. All insulating materials undergo breakdown when the electric field caused by an applied voltage exceeds the material's dielectric strength. The voltage at which a given insulating object becomes conductive is called its breakdown voltage and depends on its size and shape, and the location on the object at which the voltage is applied. Under sufficient voltage, electrical breakdown can occur within solids, liquids, or gases (and theoretically even in a vacuum).
In oil-cooled and oil-insulated transformers, the field strength for breakdown is about 20 kV/mm, which is significantly higher than that of dry air (3 kV/mm). The use of high-frequency generators can minimize the influence of electrical breakdown on the subsurface of materials. Additionally, the µ-EDM process, a variant of EDM, uses deionized water as a dielectric to avoid the formation of a white or recast layer, which occurs with mineral oils. The low discharge energies used in the µ-EDM process allow for the manufacturing of micro-gears, micro-holes, and other micro-parts with improved precision and design freedom.
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Electrical breakdown in solids
Electric discharge refers to the excitation of atomic states in a gaseous medium when an electric current passes through it. Electrical breakdown or dielectric breakdown is a process that occurs when an electrically insulating material, or dielectric, is subjected to a high enough voltage and suddenly becomes a conductor. This can occur within solids, liquids, or gases, and even theoretically in a vacuum. However, the specific breakdown mechanisms differ for each type of dielectric medium.
In solids, electrical breakdown usually occurs when the electric field becomes strong enough to pull outer valence electrons away from their atoms. This process causes the electrons to become mobile, and the heat created by their collisions with other atoms releases additional electrons. This is different from the breakdown in gases, which occurs when the electric field accelerates the small number of naturally present free electrons to a high enough speed that they collide with gas molecules, knocking additional electrons out.
The breakdown in solids can be understood through early theories and more recent investigations. Early theories suggest a difference between thermal breakdown and electrical breakdown. In thermal breakdown, carrier multiplication is due to mutual feedback between the temperature rise caused by joule heating and thermal excitation. In electrical breakdown, carrier multiplication is due to electronic processes other than thermal excitation. More recent investigations have shown that electrical breakdown in solid dielectrics involves interrelated pre-breakdown processes, such as high-voltage polarization, defect formation, electron impact excitation, and electron impact ionization of luminescence centers and ions in the host crystal lattice.
The breakdown in solids can also be understood by examining the breakdown voltage, which is the voltage at which an insulating object becomes conductive. The breakdown voltage depends on the size and shape of the object, as well as the location on the object at which the voltage is applied. For example, in a solid insulator, if the voltage is low enough, the breakdown may remain limited to a small region, called a partial discharge. However, if the voltage is high enough, the breakdown can lead to a continuous electric arc if protective devices fail to interrupt the current flow.
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Ionization of the surrounding atmosphere
Electric discharge refers to the excitation of atomic states in a gaseous medium when an electric current passes through it. This can be observed in sources such as fluorescent lamps, where the electric current excites the atoms of the gas inside the lamp, causing them to emit light.
An important aspect of electric discharge is the ionization of the surrounding atmosphere. This process involves the creation of electrically charged particles, which can have a significant impact on the atmosphere and various scientific applications.
The ionosphere, a part of the Earth's upper atmosphere from about 48 km to 965 km above sea level, plays a crucial role in atmospheric ionization. It is ionized by solar radiation, particularly "soft" and "hard" X-rays, and solar flares, which release high-energy protons that penetrate the atmosphere near the magnetic poles, increasing ionization. This ionization follows a diurnal cycle, the 11-year solar cycle, and exhibits seasonal variations due to changes in solar radiation received at different times of the year.
The ionization process in the ionosphere is primarily driven by photoionization, where photons of short wavelength and high frequency are absorbed by atmospheric gases, ejecting electrons and creating charged particles. These charged particles include negative electrons and positive ions, which can further react with neutral gases to form more stable ions. The electrical mobility of these ions contributes to the conductivity of the atmosphere, with smaller molecular ions exhibiting greater mobility.
Additionally, atmospheric ionization is influenced by natural and anthropogenic sources of ionizing radiation, such as galactic cosmic rays, radioactive gases, and nuclear reactors. These sources can impact the chemical composition of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere, affecting the regional surface climate.
Understanding the ionization of the surrounding atmosphere during electric discharge is essential for various applications, including electric discharge machining (EDM). EDM is a manufacturing process that utilizes the erosive effect of electrical discharges to shape conductive materials. By controlling the discharge energies, precise microscopic parts, such as micro-gears and micro-holes, can be created.
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Electric eels and electric discharges
Electric discharge refers to the excitation of atomic states in a gaseous medium when an electric current passes through it. This is observed in sources such as fluorescent lamps. Electric discharge machining (EDM) is a manufacturing process that enables the machining of all electrically conductive materials independent of their hardness or strength.
Electric eels are fascinating creatures that have long intrigued scientists with their ability to generate powerful electric organ discharges. With three pairs of electric organs, they can produce two main types of discharges: low voltage and high voltage. These organs, made up of modified muscle cells called electrocytes, contain proteins that play a crucial role in the eel's electrical capabilities. The main organ, in particular, can discharge at an impressive voltage of at least 600 volts, making it the most powerful of all electric fishes.
The electric eel's ability to generate such high-voltage discharges has earned it the title of the animal with the highest voltage discharge of any known animal. This is especially notable given their small size—they can produce electrical discharges when they are as small as 7 cm in length. The development of these organs begins with the main organ, followed by Sachs' organ and then Hunter's organ.
The discharges from the electric eel serve two main purposes: electrolocation and stunning prey or deterring predators. Sachs' organ, with a discharge of nearly 10 volts at a frequency of around 25 Hz, is believed to be used for electrolocation. The main organ, supported by Hunter's organ, is responsible for stunning prey or defending against threats. The eel can enhance the effectiveness of its discharge by curling up and making contact with its prey at two points along its body.
Interestingly, electric eels do not shock themselves during the discharge process. This may be because the severity of an electric shock depends on the amount and duration of the current flowing through a given area. The eel's current only flows for about 2 milliseconds, and a large portion of it dissipates into the water through the skin, reducing the impact on its internal structures. This unique ability to generate and control electrical discharges makes the electric eel a captivating and powerful creature in the animal kingdom.
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Frequently asked questions
Electric discharge is the process of the flow of electric charge from one body to another. It is also the process of separation of charge inside a body, such as inside clouds.
Spark gaps are used in internal combustion engines to ignite the fuel/air mixture. They are also used to switch heavy currents in a Marx generator and to protect electrical apparatus.
EDM is a manufacturing process that enables the machining of all electrically conductive materials independent of their hardness or strength. The process is based on the erosive effect of electrical discharges that are ignited between the tool and workpiece electrode.
The pulse generator in the µ-EDM process produces very small pulses of a few microseconds or nanoseconds, enabling the use of low discharge energies to remove small volumes of material. This allows for the manufacturing of micro-gears, micro-dies, micro-holes, and micro-slots.
Researchers suspect that electric eels communicate via low-voltage electric discharges to orchestrate their attacks.
