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Recent study has found excellent bulk and surface insulation property of Si 3 N 4 ceramic which make it potential to serve as key insulation component in various energy transmission apparatus. Charge accumulation at gas-solid interface is a critical insulation property but few relevant study on Si 3 N 4 can be found. This contribution has investigated the surface charge property of Si 3 N 4 ceramic compared to traditional insulation polymer under different electrical-thermal stress. Through its comparison with the electric field distribution, the main source of the surface charge accumulation is analyzed, indicating that the superior surface charge suppression performance of Si 3 N 4 lies on its low carrier density and conduction barrier, which considerably prevent charge injection and suppress the normal electric field which drives the charge to the gas-solid interface. The proposed mechanism is also validated by the characterization on conducting and space charge property for Si 3 N 4 as well as dynamic simulation on surface charge accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As trapping sites for surface charges, the surface trap is an important factor affecting the insulation performance of the epoxy–SF6 interface, which is closely related to the microstructure and its evolution. However, existing studies often ignore the effect of the degradation of the epoxy surface on the surface traps and charge accumulation during the long-term service of the insulation system. In this study, the surface physicochemical evolution and its influence on surface traps of a typical epoxy–SF6 insulation structure were researched under a DC-temperature gradient condition, and an evolution mechanism of surface traps was proposed. The results show that the free radicals introduced during the material degradation process increase the density and depth of both positive and negative charge traps on the epoxy surface. The effect of free radicals formed by the cleavage of epoxy molecules on the electronic orbital and molecular electrostatic potential of epoxy molecules is the intrinsic reason for the evolution of surface trap evolution. This work may help to understand the long-term evolution mechanisms of the physicochemical characteristics of the epoxy–SF6 interface in DC field and may provide a theoretical basis for the long-term failure mechanism revealing and the insulation performance enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface charges have significant impact on the evolution of surface dielectric barrier discharge (SDBD). In this work, the role of residual surface charges on repetitively nanosecond pulsed SDBD in atmospheric air is investigated using a two-dimensional fluid model, based on the assumption of preserving the distribution of surface charges at the end of the previous high voltage (HV) pulse. In the bipolar mode when the polarity of residual surface charges is opposite to that of the current HV pulse, a lower breakdown voltage and more deposited energy can be observed, showing an obvious enhancement of SDBD. In the unipolar mode, residual surface charges suppress the development of discharges and energy deposition. It is found that more residual surface charges are accumulated during the negative pulsed discharge, which have a more pronounced effect on the subsequent positive pulsed one. This is explained by the fact that the negative surface streamers directly contact the dielectric and charge it, while the positive surface streamers float above the dielectric, forming a ion-rich region near the surface. The results in this work demonstrate the mechanism of how residual surface charges affect discharge dynamics, which can be utilized to regulate energy deposition in SDBDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The charge accumulation phenomenon at the gas–solid interface under the co-action of DC electric field and temperature gradient is of great significance, but its long-time evolution characteristics are still unclear. In this work, the accumulation and dissipation characteristics of the surface charge on the epoxy-SF6 interface within 216 h were obtained, indicating that, (a) the normal surface electric field is increased by the temperature gradient along the gas–solid interface, which results in a prominent increase in the surface charge density; (b) there are different evolution processes of surface charge in high and low temperature regions under the co-action of DC-temperature gradient, and the increase of the charge trap density caused by the degradation of solid material is considered to be an important reason for the charge evolution; (c) the total charge dissipation ratio within 600 s decreases with the increase of charging time in DC electric field, and the surface charge dissipates mainly to the gas side of the interface; (d) the large amount of charge accumulated at the interface distorts the surface electric field at the triple junction points. The total electric field strength at the low-temperature tri-junction point increases by 35.5%, while the direction of the tangential field at the high-temperature tri-junction point reverses during the long-time co-action of the DC-temperature gradient. The results of this work may be helpful to understand the long-time charge evolution characteristics of the gas–solid interface under the DC-temperature gradient and to reveal the failure mechanism of the gas–solid interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The micron metal particles are inevitably produced in long-term operation condition of high voltage direct current SF6 insulated apparatus, which could frequently cause the surface discharge. Degradation of long-term surface discharge will be a severe threat to the insulation strength. Aiming at this problem, the surface charge accumulation and flashover voltage of epoxy itself before and after discharge degradation by particles were compared in this paper. The composition after degradation was measured by EDS and FTIR. The microstructure was observed by SEM. The roughness was measured as well. The trap distribution was measured by SPD. The mechanism of degradation and its effect on insulation characteristics were analyzed. The results show that the surface charge accumulation increase three times after degradation. Additionally, flashover voltage decreases 19% after degradation. The smoothly surface after degradation decrease the trap energy level for 14%, which might be the change reason of surface charge accumulation and flashover voltage. This paper can offer as a reference for the effect of micron metal particles on insulation degradation in SF6 gas insulated equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DC wall bushing is one of the key equipment in high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission project. At present, post insulators based on epoxy composites are widely used for supporting insulation in SF6-insulated apparatus. However, the flashover faults caused by surface charge accumulation can be a severe threat to the long-term operation of the post insulators under dc field. Therefore, the issue of charge accumulation on epoxy post insulators in HVDC wall bushing and its effect on flashover has been widely concerned. Aiming at this problem, the flashover characteristics of epoxy samples in SF6 gas under polarity reversal conditions with dc voltage prestressed for 10–600 min were measured in this article. The flashover process is analyzed through surface charge distribution measurement and electric field computation. The results show that with the increase of prestressed time, the accumulated negative charge density could reach $-14.8\,\,\mu \text{C}/\text{m}^{{2}}$ , which led to a 12% increase in maximum field strength. As a result, the polarity reversal flashover voltage could decrease by 12% and the flashover time delay could decrease by 84.6%. This article can offer as a reference for the effect of surface charge accumulation on flashover in SF6 gas-insulated equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • All the measurement were conducted on an actual well-built GIS/GIL platform. • Quantitative influence of surface charge on the flashover voltage are put forward. • Impacting mechanism of surface charges on flashover voltage is proposed. • The conclusion could provide guidance for the insulation design and fault diagnosis. Abstract Under AC, DC and switching impulse voltages, the surface charges accumulated on the basin insulators of Gas Insulated Substation (GIS) or Gas Insulated Metal Enclosed Transmission Line (GIL) could distort local electric field and even reduce the surface flashover voltage. In order to quantitatively measure the influence of surface charge accumulation on flashover voltage of insulator in actual GIS/GIL apparatus, a high-precision 3D surface charge measurement platform and a reasonable model were established for flashover tests in reference to the insulation design and flashover properties of actual 220 kV GIS basin insulator. The surface charge accumulation dynamics and corresponding flashover voltages of the built models under different conditions were captured and analyzed. The results indicate that, as the density of accumulated surface charges increases under either AC, DC or switching impulse voltage application, the surface flashover voltage would decrease from 62.1 kV to 55.7 kV, namely a margin of 10.3% under AC voltage application. In the context of DC voltage, there appears a 22.8% flashover voltage drop, from 61.0 kV to 47.1 kV. While for the case of switching impulse voltage, the charge accumulation reduced the flashover voltage to 52.9 kV with a 13.6% decline from 61.2 kV. Based on the simulation and theoretical calculations, the 'enhanced electric field zone' was identified to justify the influencing mechanism of surface charges on flashover voltage. The research results could contribute to optimal insulation design and fault diagnosis of basin insulator in GIS/GIL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have found that the surface flashover strength of oil-impregnated insulation paper can be improved by the modification of nanoparticles. To reveal the working mechanism, this paper presents an experimental study on the effects of TiO2 nanoparticles on streamer propagation process at the surface of oil-based nanofluid-impregnated insulation paper under lightning impulse voltage. The results show that the surface flashover voltage of nanofluid-impregnated insulation paper is significantly increased by 34.6%. Streamer characteristics including shape and length at the surface of oil-impregnated insulation paper were investigated using the schlieren technique. It is indicated that streamer characteristics are dramatically changed by the addition of TiO2 nanoparticles. For nanofluid-impregnated insulation paper, streamers with more but much shorter branches tend to develop into adjacent nanofluid rather than clinging to the paper compared to that for pure oil-impregnated paper. The reason responsible for the shape dissimilarity lies in the change of electrical force due to the permittivity difference between oil and paper. Furthermore, more shallow traps introduced by nanoparticles contribute to the faster surface charge dissipation of nanofluid-impregnated paper, reducing the charge accumulation at the streamer head and suppressing the electric field distortion. Thus, it is hard for streamers to develop at the surface of nanofluid-impregnated paper, resulting in an increase of surface flashover strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) equipment observes surface charge accumulation under DC or AC voltage in real operation, which could distort the electric field and incur flashover eventually. With a 3D high-resolution surface charge measurement system established on actual 220 kV GIS basin insulator, the present research captured the surface charge distribution characteristics of the insulator under DC and AC voltage through high-precision probe scanning on the insulator surface. The test results show that: 1) Surface charge demonstrates obvious polarity effect under DC voltage. Under positive DC voltage, there accumulated mainly positive surface charges. Under negative DC voltage, the polarity of accumulated surface charges is all negative. Regardless of charge polarities, the surface charge density increases as the voltage amplitudes mounts and the voltage application duration prolongs. 2) Surface charge accumulation also takes place under AC voltage application. All charges are negative and distribute in a uniformed manner but in smaller density comparing to the DC scenario. As the voltage amplitudes increase, the surface charge density first increases, then decreases and finally reaches a near saturation state. As voltage application goes on, the surface charge accumulation becomes more obvious. Above all, the insulation issues in relation to surface charge accumulation require due attention in the application and maintenance of GIS equipment, and the present research attempts to provide useful reference for the optimal design of GIS/GIL insulators. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper presents experimental research on creeping discharge characteristics of TiO2 nanofluid-impregnated pressboards (NPs) under sustained ac voltage. It was found that NPs possess higher resistance to creeping discharge than that of pure oil-impregnated pressboard. The results of permittivity and surface charge accumulation and decay characteristics reveal that the modification of nanoparticles can not only make the electric field more uniformly distributed at the interface of nanofluid/pressboard due to a better matching in permittivity but also significantly increase the surface charge decay rate via a trapping and detrapping process in shallower traps. Thus, the creeping discharge characteristics of NPs are greatly improved by the modification of TiO2 nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]