Static Gap question.

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Original poster: "Luke" <Bluu-at-cox-dot-net> 

I have looked around at the types of static gaps and have a couple thoughts 
of my own.
But let me see if I get this right.

Assumptions.
The versions using the copper pipes in parallel to on another work well 
because they allow lots of surface area for the gap to cool thus quenching 
it rapidly?

Gaps like the hyperbaric do not use the large surface area but the good 
quenching is assisted by the high volume of air?


Question 1.
If the gap is cooled off sufficiently and the gap is quenched well say by 
large amounts of air is there any other benefit to using a larger surface 
area for the spark gap?

And question 2.
The JavaTC program estimation of the arc distance in relation to potential 
is based on the surfaces of the spark gap being curved like as in large 
dia. balls or pipes in parallel.
This assumes the distance between electrodes is not greater than the 
diameter of the electrodes.

Would the same approximate distances be obtained for said voltage if flat 
electrodes were used parallel to one another?  Say like two 1” dia. discs 
separated by ½”.  Would that have a breakdown voltage close to the 
breakdown voltage of two 1” dia. copper pipes in parallel to one another?


Thanx

Luke Galyan
Bluu-at-cox-dot-net