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EEE 512 – High Voltage & Switchgear
Engineering Fields
Lecturer: E. Usen
Date: April 2025
1. Concept of Fields
A field is the spatial distribution of a quantity that may or may not change
over time. The theory of "action at a distance," introduced by Michael
Faraday, describes how forces like gravity act without direct contact. Gravity
serves as a natural example—its field attracts masses toward the Earth.
Types of fields in high-voltage engineering:
Electric Fields: Caused by voltage differences between electrodes.
Magnetic Fields: Caused by currents flowing through conductors.
Importance of Electric Fields:
Excessive electric field magnitudes can degrade insulating materials
(gaseous, liquid, solid).
Induced voltages can appear on ungrounded objects near energized
high-voltage conductors.
Natural Example:
Thunderclouds induce fields that may lead to charges on transmission
lines, and changing fields induce currents.
Magnetic Fields:
Do not directly affect insulating materials.
Cause induced voltages via changing currents (e.g., lightning).
Lead to overvoltages that may result in insulation failure.
A time-varying electric field induces a magnetic field (and vice versa),
forming an electromagnetic field, which propagates travelling waves
(e.g., from lightning surges).
2. Electrostatic Fields
The space around energized high-voltage components is filled with electric
fields, sharing the same frequency as the applied voltage.
3. Uniform Fields
When a voltage is applied across two parallel plates of large dimensions:
The field is uniform (field strength E is constant).
Equipotential lines are equidistant.
Field lines show the direction of force on a positive test charge.
Edge effects (not always considered) increase field strength at
electrode edges.
4. Non-Uniform Fields
When electrodes are curved or shaped, the field strength varies across the
region:
Higher field strength occurs near smaller-radius (inner) conductors.
Example: SF₆ gas-insulated systems (concentric cylindrical
configuration).
Electric field strength at a distance r from the center can be calculated
using geometric relations.
5. Conductors above Flat Surfaces, Cylinders, Spheres
Used to model electric field behavior in typical overhead line and substation
configurations.
6. Electric Field Strength for a 3-Phase Line
Mathematical modeling and analysis are used to determine electric field
strength in power transmission configurations.
7. Capacitance Formulas
Relevant to high-voltage design and insulation behavior, especially in multi-
conductor systems.
8. Bundled Conductors and Grading
Used to manage electric fields, reduce corona loss, and enhance
performance in high-voltage transmission lines.
9. Thermal Fields
Important in evaluating heating effects in conductors and insulators under
high current conditions.
10. Field Analysis Methods
Modern methods use numerical digital field simulation packages.
Primary methods:
Finite Element Method (FEM)
Boundary Element Method (BEM)
Charge Simulation Method (CSM)
11. High Voltage Insulating Materials
Electric insulation is needed between conductors with voltage difference:
When field strength exceeds a threshold, breakdown occurs.
Air is the most common insulating gas (e.g., overhead lines).
SF₆ (sulphur hexafluoride): Electronegative gas used in GIS for
better insulation and self-recovery.
12. Gases as Insulators
Normally non-conductive under ambient conditions.
Under high electric fields, ionization occurs, resulting in electrical
discharge.
Spark discharges and lightning are examples.
13. Ionization
Initiated by cosmic rays producing free electrons.
These electrons are accelerated and collide with gas molecules.
If kinetic energy exceeds ionization energy, atoms become ions.
Other ionization processes include:
o Thermal Ionization
o Photo Ionization
14. Avalanche Formation
A chain reaction initiated by a single electron under a high field.
Fast-moving electrons lead, followed by slow positive ions.
Requires initiating electrons; non-self-sustaining.
15. Electronegative Gases and De-ionization
Electronegative gases (like SF₆) suppress discharge via de-ionization.
Improve insulation and reduce flashover risks.
16. Townsend Discharge
Townsend’s second ionization coefficient (γ): Number of electrons
released at cathode by impact of a single ion.
Critical in understanding gas breakdown mechanisms.
17. Flashover of Uniform Gaps (Paschen's Law)
Relationship between breakdown voltage, pressure, and gap distance.
Applicable to uniform electric fields between flat electrodes.
18. Flashover of Non-Uniform Gaps
Flashover can occur at lower voltages due to high local field strength
(e.g., sharp edges).
Positive polarity increases susceptibility.
Corona precedes full flashover.
19. Corona Discharges
Occur at sharp points or small-radius electrodes.
Self-sustaining and localized.
Causes:
o Electromagnetic interference
o Power loss
o Insulation degradation (UV radiation)
20. Liquid and Solid Insulating Materials
Dielectric materials with polarization properties.
Better theoretical performance than gases, but affected by impurities
and defects.
Dielectric constant (εr): Relative permittivity.
Higher εr → higher capacitance.
Used in capacitor design.
21. Losses in Dielectrics (tan δ)
Represent energy loss due to dielectric heating.
Important in insulation performance and efficiency analysis.
22. Typical Solid Insulating Materials
Intermolecular distances allow better performance.
Breakdown mechanisms:
o Thermal Breakdown
o Treeing (internal discharges)
o Tracking (external arcing)
23. Summary of Insulating Materials
Air: Common, self-recovering
SF₆: Electronegative, compact GIS use
Liquids: Good but limited by impurities
Solids: Effective but limited by breakdown phenomena
Thank you
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