LOW PARTIAL DISCHARGE HIGH VOLTAGE CONNECTOR AND METHODS

Various techniques are provided for displacing air from partial discharge sensitive regions of a connector of a low partial discharge high voltage connector to other regions of the low partial discharge high voltage connector where electrical flux is reduced. A plug member is mated with a receptacle member to provide the connector, with a seal member disposed in a cavity provided by the plug member and/or the receptacle member. In response to the mating, the seal member is compressed at an initial contact region between an innermost layer and an outermost layer of the seal member. In response to the compressing, air is forced radially inward toward the innermost layer and radially outward toward the outermost layer away from the initial contact region to reduce partial discharge associated with the connector. Additional methods and systems are also provided.