Analysis of electric field and partial discharge characteristics of cable joint stress cone dislocation defects

Abstract

Abstract The mechanisms governing electric field and partial discharge (PD) under stress cone dislocation remain unclear. This study employs the finite element method to explore the relationship between the electric field, externally applied voltage, and length of dislocation. Subsequently, the correlation between voltage and electric field is determined. The relationship between voltage and PD is established through PD tests conducted under stress cone dislocation conditions. By considering the influence of voltage, the association between the electric field and PD is established, revealing the mechanism of PD initiation by electric field distortion in joints. The findings suggest that the lifetime and reliability were increased by wrapping semi‐conductive self‐adhesive tape around the exposed cross‐linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation layer. The electric field at a specific location is approximately proportional to the applied voltage. However, the slope is influenced by the composite insulation interface and the radial distance of the copper conductor. When crossing the interface between the XLPE insulation layer and the accessory insulation layer, the slope decreases significantly. The threshold for electric field PD is determined by examining the electric field distribution and the PD inception voltage during testing. When the voltage is sufficiently high, significant electric field distortions can occur at multiple points in the joint, potentially leading to concurrent PDs at several locations.

Keywords

• cable insulation
• electric fields
• partial discharges