Electrical precipitators sparking potential

When corona occurs, current starts to flow in the secondary circuit and some dust particles are precipitated. As potential is increased, current flow and electric field strength increase until, with increasing potential, a spark jumps the gap between the discharge wire and the collecting surface. If this "sparkover" is permitted to occur excessively, destmction of the precipitator s internal parts can result. Precipitator efficiency increases with increase in potential and current flow the maximum efficiency is achieved at a potential just short of heavy sparking. 

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