Partial discharge studies on high-temperature insulation materials for hybrid compulsion systems

Abstract

High-temperature insulation materials have been used extensively in power systems from power generation and conversion components like high-temperature steam turbines to transportation systems in space, marine and rail industries due to their excellent thermal, mechanical and dielectric properties as well as light weight. However, electrical characteristics of these high-temperature insulation materials for abovementioned applications have not been fully understood. In addition, needs of hybrid compulsion system is pushing rapidly the voltage and power ratings of cabling systems to a level that risk of partial discharges activities in the redesign of power cabling system and insulation material has to be carefully studied and contained. In this paper, model cable configurations insulated with high temperature materials such as PTFE, ETFE, FEP have been examined and their safe operation against common types of partial discharges under both applied AC and DC voltages in different environmental pressures has been investigated.