Partial Discharge Pulse Propagation and Attenuation in Power Cable Insulation: Simulation in Finite Element Method

Abstract

Travelling wave method is commonly used for partial discharge (PD) location since the past. However, for a long cable, the attenuation of PD pulse propagation could be significant. This is due to more energy loss during the propagation of pulse, which can affect the sensitivity of the PD source location within cable insulation. In this work, PD pulse propagation along cable insulation from the defect site was modelled using finite element analysis (FEA). The model was used to simulate the electric field distribution in the cable insulation due to the PD pulse propagation and to calculate the attenuation constant. The effect of cable length and PD source location in the cable insulation on the attenuation constant was also studied. Through this work, a better understanding of PD pulse propagation and attenuation constant using the FEA model geometry that has been developed can be attained.