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Recent innovations in HVDC extruded cable systems require the development of reliable and safe cable accessories. Cable accessories are made of several insulating materials and contain several interfaces. Interfaces made of different materials can cause electric field distortion and localized enhancement of the field. In addition, the internal temperature profiles of accessories differ depending on load conditions or installation environments, which may lead to an increase in or loss of interfacial pressure due to changes in the mechanical properties of materials. The loss of interfacial pressure degrades the contact state between materials. The micro voids formed due to pressure loss can cause partial discharge and tree, which in turn can lead to reduced lifespan and failure of the cable system. Therefore, it is necessary to study the electrical and mechanical characteristics of cable accessories considering various transient states. However, there is a limit to experimentally analyzing the actual structure. In this paper, electric field and mechanical stress for pre-molded cable joints were analyzed using an electrical model based on the conductivity of the material and a mechanical model based on elastic theory. Temperature fluctuations were simulated according to the sequence of the cable load cycle test, and time-varying electric fields and mechanical stresses were analyzed. From the simulation results, it was confirmed that the electric field and stress distribution in the joint continuously changed according to the heating and cooling periods. In addition, during the cooling cycle, the field strength at the interface near the conductor increased and the interface pressure decreased. In conclusion, it is important to ensure sufficient initial pressure so that the dielectric strength at the interface does not decrease even if there is a loss of interface pressure due to temperature fluctuations.

The internal pressure of a vacuum interrupter (VI) is increased by arc heat, ceramic cracking, gas leakage, and manufacturing defects. Accordingly, the dielectric strength of VI rapidly decreases. To improve the reliability of power transmission, efficient maintenance through the real-time monitoring of the vacuum degree is essential. However, real-time monitoring of the vacuum degree is difficult, and related research is scarce. Additionally, due to the insulation problems of this technology, there are few commercially available products. Therefore, this paper proposes a method for real-time monitoring of the vacuum degree and an insulation supplement design for a distribution class VI. First, dielectric experiments were conducted to identify the section in which the dielectric strength of the VI rapidly decreased according to the vacuum degree. Second, for real-time monitoring of the VI, several factors were proposed through the partial discharge in the VI, while the capacitance characteristics of the VI were calculated to improve the signal of the internal partial discharge. Finally, to supplement the dielectric problems of the solid insulation high voltage apparatus that occur when real-time monitoring technology is applied, the insulation supplement design was performed through the finite element method (FEM).

The calculation of the continuous allowable current of an underground cable is determined by various characteristics. To calculate the allowable current in cables with alternating magnetic fields such as AC, special phenomena such as the proximity effect and skin effect must be applied. However, there are no standards or research related to the calculation of the continuous allowable current of a DC power cable that does not have an alternating magnetic field. In this paper, a quantitative DC cable continuous allowable current calculation formula of direct burial laying was derived by applying the existing AC cable continuous allowable current calculation method to the DC system. We developed a calculation tool that can calculate the continuous allowable current of DC cables using the derived formula. Assuming the cable conditions (cable specification, laying conditions, soil characteristics, arrangement, and number of strands, etc.), a continuous allowable current simulation of DC cables was performed. In addition, the level of contribution to the continuous allowable current value was analyzed by classifying the parameter categories into major and minor factors in the order of influence on the allowable current among the determined calculated parameters. As a result, the effectiveness of the DC cable continuous allowable current calculation tool derived by performing the allowable current calculation simulation was evaluated, and the allowable current calculation method of the HVDC cable was established.

Bipolar lightning strokes are associated with multiple polarity electrical discharge with no current intervals in between, making their behavior quite peculiar. This work presents a fast front analysis of a mixed high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission link, evaluating the factors that influence the line transients due to shielding failures and backflashovers (BFOs), considering both overvoltage and repeated polarity reversal at the cable sending terminal. The research process includes a detailed modeling of a bipolar lightning stroke, frequency-dependent HVDC overhead, and underground transmission line sections. Noticeable findings include the occurrence of only a positive polarity insulator BFO for the adjacent and subsequent tower, despite the dual polarity of the lightning stroke with relatively small values for the lightning parameters. The influence of traveling waves on the insulator flashover performance of the line with varying parameters (such as the riser section length, the tower grounding impedance, and the location of the lightning stroke) is recorded and explained.

Mass Impregnated PPLP cable, which is applied to various high-voltage direct current (HVDC) projects due to its excellent dielectric and temperature properties, has a problem wherein voids are formed inside the butt-gap due to cavitation. However, there has been no previous research into technology for void defect identification and insulation diagnosis on HVDC MI-PPLP cables. In this paper, to propose an insulation diagnosis method for void defects in HVDC MI-PPLP cable, the direct current (DC) void discharge patterns were analyzed according to the specimen temperature and the magnitude of applied voltage using the pulse sequence analysis method. In addition, to confirm the pre-symptoms of dielectric breakdown in MI-PPLP cable due to DC void discharge, partial discharge patterns were analyzed continuously until dielectric breakdown occurred. From the experimental results, DC void discharge patterns of the same shape were obtained regardless of the specimen temperature and the magnitude of applied voltage. In addition, it was confirmed that new insulation aging patterns were generated as electrical and thermal aging occurred due to the continuous DC void discharge. Therefore, it is demonstrated that identification and insulation diagnosis of void defects in HVDC MI-PPLP cable is possible through the obtained DC void discharge and insulation aging patterns.

A converter valve unit, which converts Alternating Current (AC) to Directing Current (DC) and DC to AC, is one of the key elements of high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission. The insulation design of a converter valve unit should be considered for air clearance according to the DC superimposed overvoltage and the insulator that maintains the insulation performance and the corona shield to suppress DC corona discharge. There is no prescribed standard for the insulation design of a converter valve unit. Moreover, insulation performance under an applied DC voltage has not yet been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, it is necessary to study the insulation design method of the converter valve unit. In this paper, consideration of the insulation design method on a ±200 kV converter valve unit in an HVDC converter hall is performed. The finite element method (FEM) is used to simulate the 3D model. Additionally, the safety factor (SF) is applied in accordance with the dielectric test in IEC 62271-1. As a result, an insulation design process on the converter valve unit is proposed and the insulation design is carried through the design factors. It is confirmed that design factors on the air clearance, insulator and corona shield have a significant effect on a highly reliable insulation design.

The dielectric strength and gel time of epoxy composites vary with the mixing ratio of epoxy resin, hardener, additives, filler, etc., and especially the gel time affects the productivity and economics of ultra-high-voltage (UHV) equipment. However, previous studies focused only on the dielectric strength of epoxy composites for the reliability of UHV equipment. Therefore, a study considering both the dielectric strength and gel time of the epoxy composite is required. In this paper, the characteristics of the gel time and dielectric strength of the epoxy micro-composites according to the mixing ratio of silica (SiO2) and alumina (Al2O3) micro-fillers without changing the mixing ratio of epoxy resin and hardener are analyzed. Experimental results show that the gel time decreased and the dielectric strength increased as the mixing ratio of the SiO2 micro-filler increased. Therefore, it is concluded that the gel time can be controlled by changing the mixing ratio of micro-fillers without changing the mixing ratio of the epoxy resin and hardener. In addition, experimental data can be used as basic data for economical production considering both the reliability and productivity of UHV power equipment.

The superimposed transient electric field generated by polarity reversal causes severe stress to the high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cable insulation. Especially for polymeric insulation materials, space charge accumulation is prominent, which strengthens local electric field intensity. In order to avoid the risk of dielectric breakdown resulting from an intensified electric field caused by space charge behavior, several numerical analyses have been conducted using the Bipolar Charge Transport (BCT) model. However, these studies have only considered a unidirectional electric field assuming only steady state operating conditions, and there are few works that have analyzed space charge behavior during transient states, especially for the polarity reversal period. In order to analyze the charge behavior under polarity reversal, it is necessary to establish the boundary condition considering the direction and intensity of the field. Therefore, in this paper, we proposed a modified model connecting the steady state to the polarity reversal state, and the transient electric field was investigated depending on the electric potential zero duration. Since space charge behavior is influenced by temperature, different load currents were considered. From the simulation results, it was observed that the capacitive field was dominant on the electric field distribution during the polarity reversal. In addition, the long electric potential zero duration and high load currents could contribute to form a homo-charge at the conductor within the time of polarity reversal, resulting in a noticeable decrease in the maximum electric field intensity.

Multiple valve unit (MVU), which converts AC to DC and DC to AC, is one of the key elements of high voltage DC (HVDC) transmission. Therefore, the insulation design of MVU against overvoltage should be considered for the stable and reliable operation of HVDC transmission system. Especially, the air clearance of MVU should be calculated based the switching impulse, since it is fatal to MVU in terms of electrical insulation. However, the previous studies were limited to wave front, and the air clearance of the switching impulse is specified only for an ultra-high voltage (UHV) above 750 kV. As a result, it is difficult to calculate the air clearance of MVU which must endure for a switching impulse under 750 kV. In addition, when the switching impulse introduced while the MVU is in normal operation, it is superimposed to DC and creates the most severe situation, but the studies on such subjects are also insufficient. Therefore, as a fundamental step to calculate the air clearance of MVU, the dielectric characteristics of switching impulse and DC superimposed switching impulse in air have been investigated. The experiments on switching impulse showed that the critical flashover voltage was varied according to the curvature of electrode in the gap distance, up to eight times of the electrode radius. However, beyond that gap distance, the critical flashover voltage became similar, regardless of the radius of electrodes. In case of the superimposed experiment, it was performed according to DC pre-stress level and the polarities of switching impulse. The results were most severe when the positive switching impulse was superimposed on the positive DC, and the peak voltage at which flashover occurs was independent of DC pre-stress.

Many geographical constraints and aesthetic concerns necessitate the partial use of cable sections in the High Voltage DC (HVDC) transmission line, resulting in a mixed transmission line. The overhead sections of mixed lines are exposed to lightning strikes. The lightning strikes can not only result in flashover of overhead line (OHL) insulators but can enter the cable and permanently damage its insulation if adequate insulation coordination measures are not taken. In this work, we have analyzed the factors that affect the level of overvoltage inside the cable by simulating a fast front model in PSCAD. It has been determined that surge arresters must be provided at cable terminals when the length of cable sections is less than 16 km to limit the core-ground overvoltage within the lightning impulse protective level (LIPL). The level of sheath-ground overvoltage is independent of the length of cable; however, it can be limited within LIPL by lowering the sheath grounding impedance to 1.2 Ω. Insulation coordination measures do not impact the likelihood of OHL insulators’ flashover. The flashover performance of OHL can be improved by lowering the footing impedance of the second tower closest to the cable terminals, which is otherwise most likely to flashover.

The current and voltage in High Voltage DC (HVDC) line is not pure DC but contain superimposed ripple components. The current ripple in core of HVDC cable magnetically induces a voltage in the sheath, whereas the voltage ripple causes the flow of charging current from core to sheath. The knowledge of sheath voltage is necessary to ensure compliance with the specification of utility companies. In this work, we have reported that the models available in commercial Electromagnetic Transient (EMT) simulation software erroneously introduce a DC bias in steady-state sheath voltage and sheath current. We have also demonstrated that by removing the DC bias accurate steady-state evaluation of sheath voltage and sheath current is possible. Additionally, we have analyzed the sheath voltage and currents in HVDC cable considering different cable lengths and sheath grounding schemes. It has been found that grounding the sheath at the terminal of HVDC cable can limit the sheath voltage to acceptable levels without causing substantial joule loss in the sheath.

The half bridge (HB) modular multilevel converter (MMC) technology is considered a breakthrough to mitigate the shortcomings of the conventional voltage source converter (VSC) in high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) grid application. However, interruption of the DC fault is still a challenge due to fast di/dt and extremely high levels of DC fault current. The fault interruption using a DC circuit breaker (DCCB) causes enormous energy dissipation and voltage stress across the DCCB. Therefore, the use of a fault current limiter is essential, and the superconducting fault current limiter (SFCL) is the most promising choice. Past literature has focused on the operating characteristics of DCCB or limiting characteristics of the SFCL. However, there is little understanding about the fault interruption and system recovery characteristics considering both DCCB and SFCL. In this paper, we have presented a comparative study on fault interruption and system recovery characteristics considering three types of fault limiting devices in combination with circuit breaker. The transient analyses of AC and DC system have been performed, to suggest the most preferable protection scheme. It has been concluded that, amongst the three fault limiting devices, the Hybrid SFCL in combination with circuit breaker, delivers the most desirable performance in terms of interruption time, recovery time, energy dissipation and voltage transients.

The influx of a switching impulse during DC steady-state operations causes severe electrical stress on the insulation of HVDC cables. Thus, the insulation should be designed to withstand a superimposed switching impulse. All major manufacturers of DC cables perform superimposed switching impulse breakdown tests for prequalification. However, an experimental approach to study space charge dynamics in dielectrics under a switching impulse superposed on DC voltage has not been reported yet. This is because, unlike the DC stress, it is not possible to study the charge dynamics experimentally under complex stresses, such as switching impulse superposition. Hence, in order to predict and investigate the breakdown characteristics, it is necessary to obtain accurate electric field distribution considering space charge dynamics using a numerical approach. Therefore, in this paper, a numerical study on the switching impulse superposition was carried out. The space charge dynamics and its distribution within the dielectric under DC stress were compared with those under a superimposed switching impulse using a bipolar charge transport (BCT) model. In addition, we estimated the effect of a superimposed switching impulse on a DC electric field distribution. It was concluded that the temperature conditions of dielectrics have a significant influence on electric field and space charge dynamics.

The eventual goal of high-voltage direct-voltage (HVDC) systems is to implement HVDC grids. The modular multilevel converter (MMC) has been identified as the best candidate for the realization of an HVDC grid by eliminating the shortcomings of conventional voltage source converter (VSC) technology. The related research has focused on efficient control schemes, new MMC topologies, and operational characteristics of an MMC in a DC grid, but there is little understanding about the fault handling capability of two mainstream MMC topologies, i.e., half bridge (HB) and full bridge (FB) MMCs in combination with an adequate protection device. Contrary to the existing research where the fault location is usually fixed (center of the line), this paper considered a variable fault location on the DC line, so as to compare the fault interruption time and maximum fault current magnitude. From the point of view of fault interruption, AC and DC side transient analyses were performed for both MMC topologies to suggest the appropriate topology. The simulation result confirmed that the fault handling performance of an HB-MMC with a DC circuit breaker is superior due to the smaller fault current magnitude, faster interruption time, lower overvoltage magnitude, and lesser stresses on the insulation of the DC grid.

Mass-impregnated (MI) cables have been used for many years as cables in high-voltage direct current (HVDC) systems. In line commutated converter (LCC) HVDC systems, polarity reversal for power flow control can induce significant electrical stress on MI cables. Furthermore, the mass oil and kraft paper comprising the impregnated insulation have significantly different coefficients of thermal expansion. Load fluctuations in the cable lead to expansion and contraction of the mass, creating pressure within the insulation and causing redistribution of the impregnant. During this process, shrinkage cavities can form within the butt gaps. Since the dielectric strength of the cavities is lower than that of the surrounding impregnation, cavitation phenomena in impregnated paper insulation are considered a factor in degrading insulation performance. Consequently, this study analyzes the electrical conductivity of thermally aged materials and investigates the transient electric field characteristics within the cable. Additionally, it closely analyzes the formation and dissolution of cavities in MI cables during polarity reversal based on a numerical model of pressure behavior in porous media. The conductivity of the impregnated paper indicates that it has excellent resistance to thermal degradation. Simulation results for various load conditions highlight that the interval of load-off time and the magnitude of internal pressure significantly influence the cavitation phenomenon. Lastly, the study proposes stable system operation methods to prevent cavitation in MI cables.

The number of XLPE cables being used near or beyond their design life is increasing. The importance of timely cable replacement is necessary. Therefore, research is actively being conducted using VLF Tan δ diagnostic technology to assess the insulation condition of cables. Present studies lack in measuring and analyzing the VLF Tan δ of service-aged XLPE cables. Additionally, there is a research gap considering the operating environment. Therefore, it is needed to diagnose and analyze the insulation condition of the same service-aged cable when it is operated in a different environment. This paper assesses and analyzes the insulation condition of cables installed in the BFP, cooling tower, and deaerator booster pump of a combined heat and power plant. Each cable was evaluated by measuring the VLF Tan δ, the dielectric breakdown test of the cable, and the tensile strength, elongation at break, crystallinity, and dielectric strength of the XLPE specimens. Additionally, the correlation between the VLF Tan δ and other characteristics was also analyzed. It was found that degradation progressed in the order of the BFP, the cooling tower, and the deaerator booster pump. Therefore, it was confirmed that even for the same cable, deterioration varies depending on the installation location.

Corona discharge is a phenomenon wherein gas on the surface of electrical equipment is ionised. Severe ionisation can lead to insulation breakdown and cause equipment damage. Consequently, non-contact portable devices are employed to detect corona discharge in real time while the electrical equipment is pressurised. Recently, several devices capable of visualising corona discharge phenomena occurring in the ultrasonic region have been developed. However, these devices are primarily used for scanning purposes to verify the occurrence of partial discharge, as detailed guidelines for operating the equipment in real-world field conditions are yet to be established. Therefore, this study proposes a measurement technique for utilising ultrasonic corona imaging diagnostic equipment in the field. This technique involves the use of corona discharge electrodes and aged epoxy insulator samples. First, the performance of the ultrasonic corona imaging diagnostic equipment based on environmental conditions was evaluated by varying the distance, frequency, temperature, and humidity using the corona discharge electrodes. Then, parallel measurements were conducted with a high-frequency current transformer sensor on epoxy insulator samples subjected to simple ageing, cracking, and partial surface damage, and the results were analysed. Finally, an efficient measurement technique, including equipment operation procedures, was proposed by integrating the measurement results.