Calculation of Maximum Voltage Gradients Part II: Split Bundle Conductors

A mathematical expression is developed for determining the maximum voltage gradient on any conductor of a split-bundle conductor configuration. This expression is then applied to calculate the maximum voltage gradient of certain hypothetical configurations. The results show that for a constant cross-sectional area per phase, by splitting a conductor of an N-conductor bundle into p subconductors, thus forming an N X p-conductor split bundle, the maximum voltage gradient can be reduced, but not as much as if the N X p- conductor split bundle is converted into an (N X p)-conductor bundle.