It is correct that there is no such thing as a breakdown voltage, as stated earlier. This becomes obvious since the units are given as V/m, which is represents Volts per meter, or Electric Field strength.

Also, unless one is measuring the field in between two plane parallel metallic plates, the Electric Field will, in general, not be uniform, I.e., the field strength (the amount of "pull" on an electron), will vary with position. This shape does matter, and sharply pointed emitters can cause breakdown at values considerably less than the maximum measured in a uniform field.

The Volts/meter relationship is also pressure-dependent, and this relationship goes nonlinear at low pressures (not enough charge carriers) following Paschen's law <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paschen%27s_law>. It also varies with humidity and other contaminants, which usually increase arcing.

73

Bob, K4TAX


On 6/2/2020 8:54 AM, [email protected] wrote:

The RMS voltage for 1000 watts into a perfect load is <250 volts. I suspect that Tony's 4,000 voltage limit is closer to what a quality PL-259 can actually handle. If the PL-259 is arcing, there is something very wrong with either the connector, the weatherproofing or the antenna.

John KK9A




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