Computer Simulation of Partial Discharges in Voids inside Epoxy Resins Using Three-Capacitance and Analytical Models

Area of Science:

• Electrical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Polymer Science

Background:

• Epoxy resins are crucial insulating materials in high-voltage (HV) electrical assets like power transformers and hydrogenerators.
• Assessing the condition of epoxy resin insulation under HV stress is essential for reliable operation.
• Understanding epoxy resin characteristics and the impact of nano-fillers is key for insulation system improvements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review epoxy resin applications and characteristics as insulating materials.
• To summarize improvements in epoxy resins using nano-fillers.
• To detail models for simulating partial discharges (PD) in solid dielectrics like epoxy resins.

Main Methods:

• Review of theoretical background and state-of-the-art for three-capacitance and analytical PD models.
• Critical analysis of modeling procedures, assumptions, and proposed improvements.
• Simulation of a case study using a modified three-capacitance model and an analytical model.

Main Results:

• Simulation results for PD rate, q-φ-n diagrams, and electric charge align reasonably with literature data.
• Capacitance models, while implementable in circuit simulation packages, are computationally intensive.
• The modified three-capacitance model, though less precise than finite element or analytical models, provides results consistent with real-world data.

Conclusions:

• Both modified capacitance and analytical models offer valuable insights into PD behavior in epoxy resins.
• Simulation accuracy is balanced against computational cost, with analytical models generally offering higher precision.
• Further research can refine PD modeling for more accurate condition assessment of epoxy resin insulation.