University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka

Faculty of Engineering
Department of Electrical Engineering
B. Sc. Engineering Honours Degree Course
Semester 5 Examination
EE3012 – HIGH VOLTAGE ENGINEERING I

Time Allowed: 2 Hours May 2012

Additional Material
Graph Paper will be provided if required.

Instructions to Candidates
This paper contains 3 questions in 4 pages.
This examination accounts for 70% of the module assessment.
Total marks for the paper is 70 marks.
The maximum marks attainable is indicated in square brackets.
Answer All Questions.
This is a closed book examination and only authorised Calculators will be permitted.

Technical Information for candidates

-7
Permeability of free space  = 4 10 H/m
-12
Permittivity of free space o = 8.854 10 F/m
8
Velocity of light in free space = 2.998 10 m/s
 This page is intentionally left blank.

EE3012 High Voltage Engineering I – May 2012 University of Moratuwa Page 2 of 4

Question 1
(a) At what voltage would corona inception occur in a 3, 50Hz, transmission line with 18
mm dia. ACSR conductors spaced 2m apart, if the ambient temperature is 28oC. Derive
any equations used. [5 marks]
(b) Briefly explain the Townsend’s breakdown process for gaseous dielectrics and determine
an expression for the spark breakdown criteria. [5 marks]
In a certain Townsend type discharge, the following measurements were made.
d (mm) 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 10 12 14 16
I (pA) 20 22 27 34 42 47 84 110 160 267 450
Determine the values of the Townsend’s first and second ionization coefficients. [5 marks]
Describe briefly with the aid of suitable diagrams, equations and/or examples, where
appropriate, the following:
(c) The avalanche process in the breakdown of gaseous dielectrics. [2 marks]
(d) The breakdown of liquids below intrinsic strength due to 3 types of impurities. [3 marks]
(e) The breakdown of solids below intrinsic strength due to thermal causes in the presence of
the applied voltage. [3 marks]
(f) The time lag characteristic of spark breakdown for an impulse waveform. [2 marks]

Question 2
(a) Derive from first principles, expressions for the insulation resistance and the capacitance
of a single core cable per unit length. [8 marks]
(b) Derive an expression for the thermal resistance of the cable, per unit length, between 2
radii r1 and r2 with thermal conductivity k. [4 marks]
A 220 kV, 50 Hz three phase system has a single phase cable buried in the ground at a
depth of 1.5 m below the surface. If the diameter of core is 38 mm, diameter over
insulation is 90 mm, relative permittivity of insulation is 4.2, and the thermal resistivity
of insulation is 5.4oC-m/W determine the thermal resistance of the cable. [3 marks]
(c) The insulation of a single phase, 76kV high voltage cable has a critical breakdown stress
of 180 kV/cm (peak) and a relative permittivity of 4.0. The supply transformer is centre
tapped so that both 76 kV and 38 kV are available. If the conductor radius is 9 mm,
determine the radii of the sheath and the intersheath required for optimum dimensions of
the cable. Take a safety factor as 2 in the design. [10 marks]

EE3012 High Voltage Engineering I – May 2012 University of Moratuwa Page 3 of 4

Question 3
(a) Using suitable sketches describe the conduction occurring in insulators, semi-conductors
and conductors, using the energy band theory. [3 marks]
(b) Using suitable diagrams, describe the 3 components of the total polarization in a
polyatomic gas. [3 marks]
(c) A capacitor is made with a dielectric material with a pure conductivity  and a complex
relative permittivity of (r' – j r"), sketch the equivalent circuit of the capacitor, and
identify its components. [3 marks]
If the cross-section of the material is A and the thickness t, determine an expression for
the complex admittance of the equivalent circuit. [3 marks]
Hence determine the resistance and capacitance values of the equivalent circuit. [4 marks]
(d) Briefly describe the thermal classification of insulating materials [4 marks]

[END OF QUESTION PAPER]

EE3012 High Voltage Engineering I – May 2012 University of Moratuwa Page 4 of 4