Dielectric Constant ( Relative

Permittivity)
Permittivity ( ) is the ability of the material to transmit the
electric field. Or, the ability of the material to store a charge.
Dielectric constant ( Relative Permittivity) r is the permittivity
of the dielectric relative to free space, air or vacuum.
= or
o = 8.85 *10-12 ( F/m )
Susceptibility e is the ability of the material to polarize when
exposed to electric field.
e = r - 1

Polarization
If a dielectric material is inserted between two
electrodes, electrons within the insulator are
unable to move and leave their atom. Instead,
electrons and their parent nucleus stretch
slightly away from each other forming
dipoles.
When dipoles align themselves with the
applied field, the material is said to be
polarized.

Capacitance
Capacitance C is the charge stored per volt.
Q
C
V

Capacitance increases with increasing the

value of r

Do we need high or low Permittivity?

This depends on the applications.
Higher value of permittivity is desired to
obtain higher capacitance for storing charge
applications.
lower value of permittivity are required in
electrical cable to decrease the discharge
current in the insulation system. But not
always the low permittivity get better
insulation.

Dielectric Strength( Breakdown Strength)

The maximum electric stress (Field) which the
material can withstand before breakdown (KV/cm)
Breakdown Voltage: The voltage at which the
dielectric starts conducting.
In high voltage applications, the dielectric strength of
insulating materials and the electric field developed in
them when subjected to high voltages are important
factors.
Insulation material should have high breakdown
voltage.

Factors affecting Breakdown strength

Magnitude and nature of applied Voltage
Pressure
Temperature
Humidity
Field configuration
Surface conditions of electrodes
Duration of the applied voltage

Causes of Insulation Failure

Presence of discharge
impurities
Increasing the applied voltage
Presence of moisture
Mechanical stresses
Increasing the temperature

Electric field and Voltage

The electric stress (field) which an insulating
material is subjected to is equal to the voltage
gradient,

E V

a
a
a
x
y z
x

Electric Field

dQ
E
4r

Gausss Law
The Electric Flux through any closed surface
is proportional to the total charge enclosed
within that closed surface.

E.dA
S

EA cos
is the angle between the field line and the
normal on the area.

Field Density ( Displacement Vector D)

Q
D E
A

Calculation of Electric field and

Capacitance
Parallel Plates Capacitors
Cylindrical Capacitance
Spherical Capacitance

Parallel Plate Capacitor

V ,
E
d

is the surface charge density.

The electric field is constant along the
insulator and is equal to,
V

The capacitance of the system is,

A
C
d

Cylindrical Capacitor ( Concentric)

Inside the conductor for r < a,
Q = 0, and so, E = 0,
Between a and b,

E
2r

is the charge per unit length.

In terms of the applied voltage Vab

ab

b
r ln
a

Cylindrical Capacitor
The voltage Vab can be written as,

dr
b

ln
2 r 2 a
b

ab

The capacitance of the system is,

Q 2L
C
V ln b
a

L is the length of the cable.

Spherical Capacitor

E
4 r
v

Q

v
v

Volume charge density.

Q 1 1
[ ]
V
4 a b
4
C
1 1
[ ]
a b
ab