Computational methods for the analysis of explosions in oil-insulated electrical equipment

Two methods are presented for analyzing the dynamic response of electrical equipment tanks completely filled with oil under fault conditions liable to cause explosions. Both methods simulate the same infinite cylindrical model subjected to an eccentric arc, but differ in their approach. The first is based on an analytical formulation of a thin-walled shell containing an incompressible liquid; the solution is obtained by superimposing orthogonal components and numerically integrating the equations of motion. The other approach is more general and involves the use of the highly specialized software PISCES adapted for arc-induced excitation. The method can be applied, after modifications, to the analysis of partially filled equipment such as distribution transformers. Comparison of the computer results provides a means of mutually validating the two methods and thus indicates that the use of PISCES may be extended to complex models with a more representative tank configuration