Umair Gaines
Electric discharge is the release and transmission of electricity in an applied electric field through a medium such as a gas. Electric discharge machining (EDM) is a manufacturing process that enables the machining of all electrically conductive materials, regardless of their hardness or strength. EDM has many applications, including in spark gaps in internal combustion engines, arc welding, and the production of alloys and other products. Electric discharge also occurs naturally on Earth, such as in lightning strikes and corona discharges.
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What You'll Learn
Electric discharge machining (EDM)
Electric discharge is the release and transmission of electricity in an applied electric field through a medium such as a gas. Several types of electric discharges occur naturally on Earth, including atmospheric lightning and corona discharges.
The EDM tool is guided very close to the workpiece, ideally without making physical contact. The process involves a series of rapid, recurring current discharges between two electrodes, separated by a dielectric liquid and subject to an electric voltage. The resulting sparks contribute to the removal of material from both the tool and the workpiece, forming small craters. The size of these craters can range from the nanoscale to hundreds of micrometers, depending on the technological parameters set for the specific job.
The erosive effect of electrical discharges was first observed by English physicist Joseph Priestley in 1770. Later, in 1943, Soviet scientists B. R. Lazarenko and N. I. Lazarenko investigated the erosion of tungsten electrical contacts due to sparking. They discovered that immersing the electrodes in a dielectric fluid allowed for more precise control over the erosion, leading to the invention of the R-C-type EDM machine for working with difficult-to-machine materials.
Commercial EDM capabilities have advanced significantly in recent decades, with increased feed rates and improved control over surface finishes. EDM machines typically fall into two broad categories of generators: those based on RC circuits and those based on transistor-controlled pulses. Strategies are being developed to address the issue of electrode wear, such as using a "Zero Wear" circuit to reduce the frequency of discharge starts and stops.
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Atmospheric lightning
An electric discharge is the release and transmission of electricity through a medium such as a gas. Atmospheric lightning is a type of electric discharge that occurs naturally on Earth. It is a giant spark of electricity in the atmosphere between clouds, the air, or the ground.
Lightning primarily occurs when warm air mixes with colder air masses, resulting in the atmospheric disturbances necessary for the polarization of the atmosphere. These disturbances result in storms, and when lightning and thunder occur in these storms, they are called thunderstorms. Lightning can also occur during dust storms, forest fires, tornadoes, volcanic eruptions, heavy snowstorms, and hurricanes.
Lightning involves a near-instantaneous release of energy on a scale averaging between 200 megajoules and 7 gigajoules. The air around the lightning flash rapidly heats up to extremely high temperatures of about 30,000 °C (54,000 °F) or 50,000 °F by some estimates, causing the air to explode outward. This explosion creates a shock wave that results in the sound of thunder, which can be heard up to 25 miles away from the lightning discharge.
There are three primary forms of lightning distinguished by where they occur: Intra-cloud (IC) or in-cloud, which occurs within a single thundercloud; Cloud-to-cloud (CC) or inter-cloud, which occurs between two clouds; and Cloud-to-ground (CG), which occurs between a cloud and the ground and is referred to as a lightning strike. While intra-cloud and cloud-to-cloud lightning are more common, cloud-to-ground lightning has the most direct effects on humans.
Upper-atmospheric lightning and ionospheric lightning refer to a family of short-lived electrical breakdown phenomena that occur above the altitudes of normal lightning and storm clouds. Transient luminous events (TLEs) are secondary phenomena that occur in the upper atmosphere in association with underlying thunderstorm lightning. Sprites, jets, and elves are some of the various types of TLEs that have been observed.
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Corona discharges
An electric discharge is the release and transmission of electricity in an applied electric field through a medium such as a gas. One example of electric discharge is a corona discharge, which is caused by the ionization of a fluid, usually air, surrounding a conductor carrying a high voltage.
Corona discharge occurs when the strength of the electric field (potential gradient) around a conductor exceeds the dielectric strength of the air, resulting in a breakdown of the air and the formation of plasma. This process is characterized by localized breakdown, which restricts the available reaction volume, and typically occurs at highly curved regions on electrodes, such as sharp corners, projecting points, edges of metal surfaces, or small-diameter wires. The high curvature results in a high potential gradient, leading to the creation of a plasma region around the electrode.
The phenomenon is often observed as a bluish or violet glow, referred to as St. Elmo's fire, and is accompanied by a hissing or cracking sound. It is commonly seen near ship masts or airplane wings during thunderstorms when the objects carry a significantly different charge from the surrounding air.
In high-voltage applications, corona discharge is considered an unwanted side effect due to the energy loss and power inefficiencies it causes. It can also lead to the generation of corrosive and toxic gases, such as ozone and nitric oxide. However, controlled corona discharges are utilized in various processes, including air filtration, photocopiers, and ozone generation for water disinfection.
To minimize the occurrence of corona discharge, engineers employ strategies such as improved insulation, the use of corona rings, and the design of high-voltage electrodes with smooth, rounded shapes to reduce the electric field strength.
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Spark gaps
An electric discharge is the release and transmission of electricity in an applied electric field through a medium such as a gas. Spark gaps are a key component of this process.
A spark gap is a device with two electrodes separated by a gas. When the ratio of the electric field strength to the pressure exceeds a certain level, the gap between the electrodes is filled with conductive plasma, and a spark is produced. This occurs when the electric field strength is high enough to cause the electrons in the gas to accelerate and collide with other atoms, creating a cascade of ionization that results in a spark.
Triggered spark gaps are a specialized type of spark gap with an additional means of triggering, such as a third electrode, to achieve low jitter. These devices are designed to minimize unintentional triggering while optimizing gas pressure to ensure reliable performance.
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Electric eels
An electric discharge is the release and transmission of electricity in an applied electric field through a medium such as a gas. Electric eels, which are not true eels but rather a type of knifefish, are a prime example of electric discharge in the natural world. They are known for their ability to generate powerful electric shocks of up to 860 volts, which they use for stunning prey, defence against predators, and communication with other electric eels.
The electric eel has a distinctive appearance, with a long, cylindrical body, a flattened head, and thick, scaleless skin that is typically brown or dark grey with a yellow or orange underside. They can grow to impressive lengths, with some individuals exceeding 2.5 metres. Despite their size, electric eels are poor swimmers, relying on the wave-like movements of their elongated anal fin to move through the water.
The electric eel's ability to generate electricity is due to the presence of specialised electric organs, namely the main organ, the Hunter's organ, and the Sach's organ, which together make up about 80% of the eel's body. These organs consist of modified muscle cells called electrocytes, which have both a positive and a negative side. When triggered, these electrocytes discharge powerful electric impulses into the surrounding water.
The electric eel's ability to produce electricity is not just for defence and communication but also plays a crucial role in its hunting strategy. They are nocturnal predators, primarily feeding on fish such as armoured catfish. Electric eels have been observed hunting in packs, herding schools of fish before launching joint strikes. Their electric shocks stun their prey, making it easier to capture and consume.
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Frequently asked questions
An electric discharge is the release and transmission of electricity in an applied electric field through a medium such as a gas.
Some examples of electric discharge include atmospheric lightning, corona discharges, spark gaps in internal combustion engines, and arc welding.
Electric discharge machining is a manufacturing process that enables the machining of all electrically conductive materials, regardless of their hardness or strength. EDM involves the erosive effect of electrical discharges ignited between a tool and a workpiece electrode, allowing for the creation of complex 3D geometries.
