%0 Journal Article %T Stabilization of gas-filled surge arrester¡¯s characteristics by use of ionizing radiation %A Brajovi£¿ Dragan V. %A Vujisi£¿ Milo£¿ Lj. %A Stojkanovi£¿ Mirko N. %A Kova£¿evi£¿ Uro£¿ D. %J Nuclear Technology and Radiation Protection %D 2012 %I VIN?A Institute of Nuclear Sciences %R 10.2298/ntrp1203274b %X This paper investigates the stabilization of electrical discharges in gases by means of external ionizing radiation. Discharges in a gas-filled surge arrester model were studied in both passive and active regimes of the device. An originally developed model of the gas-filled surge arrester was used. Gas pressure and the interelectrode gap were the variable parameters in our measurements. Applied radiation types included ¦Á-particles, ¦Ã-rays, X-rays, and neutrons. Measurements were performed under highly controlled laboratory conditions. The combined measurement uncertainty of the applied procedure was estimated as being under the 5% level. The results obtained are followed by a theoretical explanation. The crucial result is the conclusion that ionizing radiation does not necessarily degrade the gas-filled surge arrester¡¯s functionality but that it, rather, improves it under certain conditions. %K passive and active properties %K gas-filled surge arresters %K ionizing radiation %K neutron radiation %U http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/1451-3994/2012/1451-39941203274B.pdf