Considerations on diverse physical phenomena leading to return voltage on insulators

A brief short circuit is not sufficient to relax the entire spectrum of stress accumulated in an insulator during a long time polarization. Following neutralization, return voltage appears. This phenomenon used as routine characterization tool some areas electrical engineering. Several experimental results are detailed here supporting interest this electrostatic technique laboratory tool. For instance, sensitivity may be applied follow ageing cables for aircraft industry, well monitor interfacial polarization build-up at high temperature on polarized alumina plates. It has also been demonstrate photoelectret effect polyimide films, which described. We analyze diverse physical processes that responsible voltage: slow dipolar relaxation processes, polarization, heterogeneous conductivity and injected space charge motion.