Development of all solid compact connection system for high voltage equipment - effect of thin air layer on breakdown strength of solid - solid interface

In order to reduce construction cost of substations and to become more environmentally benign, we have been proposing the All Solid Insulated Substation as a next generation substation, in which the high voltage section like busbars and transformer windings are insulated by the solid insulating materials such as epoxy resin and silicone rubber. In the All Solid Insulated Substation, compact connection systems between each piece of power equipment have to be developed for the reduction of the volume and area of the substation. From these viewpoints, this paper introduces the concept of the All Solid Insulated Substation and describes basic experimental investigation for the development of the compact connection system.