Abstract
This paper presents a finite element simulation by COMSOL Multiphysics package to investigate the temperature distribution inside three-phase, three-core, 33 kV underground power cables (UGC) through a coupled electromagnetic-thermal modelling. The simulations are very controlled and fine realistic details can be added to the model such as the temperature conductivity dependence of any metallic layer and armour permeability. Distributions of magnetic field, current density, resistive losses and temperature inside UGC different layers are calculated at different operating conditions. The exponential increase in conductor temperature with increasing the conductor current limits the single-phasing operation of such cables. Therefore, they must be derated, otherwise their lifetime will be reduced exponentially. Finally, the effect of current harmonics on the temperature distribution inside the insulation material and hence its lifetime is calculated using MATLAB. It is found that higher steady-state conductor temperatures are expected for cables with larger conductor cross-sectional areas, using aluminium core rather than copper, or using 6-pulse rectifiers rather than a higher pulse types.
Highlights
Significant growing demand of electrical power has been a great challenge in transmission and distribution systems over the years due to the progressive increase of power consumers
Accurate modelling is, in general, more difficult to obtain for underground power cables (UGC) than that for overhead transmission lines due to the complexity of geometrical configuration of UGCs, which leads to high sensitivity of cable parameters to errors
Advanced diagnostic and simulation techniques can be used for accurate assessment of UGC insulation condition and monitoring the probable reasons related to failure process of the insulation system (Moore 1997)
Summary
Significant growing demand of electrical power has been a great challenge in transmission and distribution systems over the years due to the progressive increase of power consumers. Underground cables (UGCs) are widely used by utilities to transmit and distribute electric power at corresponding different voltage levels from generating stations to urban areas in order to provide an environment-friendly and reliable pathway for this power flow. This leads the utilities to evaluate the performance of UGCs considering their design, reliability, lifetime, manufacturing and installation costs. The simulation of the coupled electromagnetic-thermal model of UGCs can provide a simple tool to identify any increase in temperature due to the normal and abnormal operating conditions, which could be harmful and may shorten its lifetime over the long-term operation
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