Modelling of partial discharge behaviour in a cavity within the solid dielectrics

The identification and performance assessment of an insulation system within high voltage equipment is very significant. The central phenomenon to be subjected in insulation diagnostics and performance assessment is partial discharge (PD) measurement. Insulation degradation due to various physical factors such as voids, cracks, ageing and premature failure present within it is always linked to PD occurrence. Even though PD does not root immediate insulation failure and result in breakdown, it indicates the presence of an imperfection within the insulation which can affect its long term performance. The intention of this effort is to design and simulate the PD activity inside the cavity of various solid dielectric materials namely, Polycarbonate, Silicone Rubber and Silicon Carbide insulation exposed to high electric fields in various shapes of cavities (cylindrical, spherical and unsymmetrical) using a industrial simulation tool named COMSOL (Communication Solution) Multiphysics, and interface it with MATLAB. In this work, the simulations of PD activity within cavities in the insulation have been performed for different shapes and position of voids present in various insulating materials.