How can corona discharge be increased?

The increase of corona discharge can indeed be associated with the ionization of surrounding air. This phenomenon occurs when the electric field strength around a conductor exceeds a certain threshold, leading to a breakdown of air molecules and allowing them to become ionized. When air is ionized, it becomes more conductive, and this facilitates the movement of electrical charge, which contributes to the increase in corona discharge.

Ionized air means that free electrons are available, enhancing the ability of a conductor to discharge electricity into the environment. This process is often noticed in high-voltage systems, where the ionization can occur naturally under certain conditions, such as high humidity or temperature changes, which promote the ionization process. Therefore, ionization plays a crucial role in augmenting the corona discharge effect.

On the contrary, increasing voltage can affect the threshold for initiating corona discharge, but it is not the sole mechanism for increasing it once ionization has already started. Reducing temperature might lead to a denser air state which inhibits the flow of electric charges and prevents easy ionization. Utilizing insulating materials will further impede electrical flow and reduce the likelihood of corona discharge occurring.