Numerical study of influential factors on partial discharges in HVDC XLPE cables

Abstract

PurposeFor the dramatically developed high voltage direct current (HVDC) power transmission, HVDC cables play a vital role in the power transmission across seas and connections with renewable power sources. However, the condition monitoring of HVDC cables is still a challenging research topic. This paper aims to understand the influence of external factors, namely, current, cavity location and material properties, on partial discharge (PD) characteristics in HVDC cable in a numerical way referring to the refined Niemeyer’s model.Design/methodology/approachThe influences of the three external factors are studied by a proposed numerical model for DC PDs based on the modification of a conventional PD model for AC voltage via a finite element analysis method.FindingsThe external factors can influence the discharge magnitude and discharge repetition rate via affecting the electrical conductivity of the material: DC PD is more frequent and with higher discharge magnitude when the cavity is closer to the conductor or the current through the conductor is higher. Both DC PD repetition rate and average discharge magnitude in long-term aged material are lower than virgin material. The effect of discharge on insulation degradation becomes decreasingly significant.Research limitations/implicationsThe current work is based on the numerical modelling of DC PDs. Further experimental validations and comparisons are essential for improving the model.Practical implicationsThe studies of the influence factors for PDs under HVDC voltage can benefit the research and practical power transmission on DC PDs, contributing the design and test of DC PDs in HVDC cables, exploring the understandings of the DC PDs’ mechanism.Originality/valueThis paper, to the best of author’s knowledge, first studies the influence factors on DC PDs based on the numerical modelling work.