KE 40503 High Voltage Engineering

Breakdown in Liquids Liquids

BEE 3243 Electric Power Systems Module 1

Breakdown in Solids and Liquids: Introduction

Practical insulation structures usually consist of combination of solid and liquids and / or gaseous dielectrics. As we learnt from the breakdown of gaseous mechanisms, formation electron of avalanches is responsible for a rapid growth of current associated with the electrical failure of gaseous media. But this not the case for the liquid and solid insulations.

BEE 3243 Electric Power Systems Module 1

Breakdown in Solids and Liquids: Introduction

Numerous investigator have studied the breakdown of liquid and solid dielectrics for decades. But the findings and theories postulated by such investigators cannot be reconciled to produce acceptable general theories explaining breakdown mechanisms in liquid or solid media. The state of knowledge in this area is still very crude and inconclusive.

BEE 3243 Electric Power Systems Module 1

Part 1

**Breakdown / Failure in Liquid Dielectrics**

BEE 3243 Electric Power Systems Module 1

Liquid Dielectrics: Introduction

Liquid dielectrics, particularly hydrocarbon oils, are used in insulating media in high voltage equipment (e.g. oil immersed transformer, oil circuit breaker, power capacitor / resistor / inductor etc.) In comparing with the gaseous dielectrics, liquid dielectrics have higher densities (more volume). In comparing with the solid dielectrics, liquid dielectric fill the space to be insulate more easily (maximum space usage). Moreover, liquids are better coolants and have self-arc quenching capabilities should an arc be set up in them (therefore have higher Vb level than that of air).

Oil as the Choice of Dielectric Material in Power Transformers

BEE 3243 Electric Power Systems Module 1

Oil immersed transformer

Transformer oils

Oil as the Choice of Dielectric Material in Power Transformers

BEE 3243 Electric Power Systems Module 1

Outdoor type oil filled circuit breaker

Indoor type oil filled circuit breaker 7

Oil as the Choice of Dielectric Material in Power Cables

BEE 3243 Electric Power Systems Module 1

Oil filled power cables 8

BEE 3243 Electric Power Systems Module 1

Oil as the Choice of Dielectric Material in Power Cables

Oil as the Choice of Dielectric Material in Capacitors

BEE 3243 Electric Power Systems Module 1

Oil filled capacitors 10

BEE 3243 Electric Power Systems Module 1

Problem with Liquid Dielectrics

In application, liquid insulators are used less frequently than either gases and solids, hence their insulating potentials remain under exploited. There is less significant activity in liquid than solids. This is largely because early studies allowed reasonable models of behaviour to be established, and there is lot less competition in material development and engineering. One of active interest at present is the replacement of mineral oils in transformers with vegetables oils, to reduce environmental impact.
11

BEE 3243 Electric Power Systems Module 1

Problem with Liquid Dielectrics

Solids range from crystalline materials to semi-crystalline polymer blends with in-organics fillers, and thus very complicated, but give a great deal of versatility. Liquids on the other hand are on a molecular scale more dynamic, but typically more homogenous (uniform in composition) Perhaps of this molecular freedom, experiment results from liquids are more diverse (varies) and often their behaviour is harder to predict. It is also harder to keep liquid clean and free from moisture.

12

BEE 3243 Electric Power Systems Module 1

Conduction Process Lead to Failure in Liquid Dielectrics

Can be categorised as: a) Process seen in liquids b) Movement of oils and particulates contamination c) Cavity formation d) Chemical reaction

13

BEE 3243 Electric Power Systems Module 1

a) Conduction Process Seen in Liquids

Conduction in liquids is largely by ions. High field conduction maybe through electrons injected from the cathode, and thus avalanches mechanism are proposed around this. Dissociation of molecular species to form charged ions may also play a part. However, in commercial application it is not generally held that such mechanisms applies since the field required are well above observed critical field values. Unlike solid, particulate defects can enter at liquid at any time. This might be metallic particles, carbonised materials from discharges or degraded insulation, and maybe, most importantly, water molecules. 14

BEE 3243 Electric Power Systems Module 1

b) Conduction due to Movement of Oil and Particulate Contaminant

Can be categorised into four mechanisms

Dielectrophoresis Thermal convection Electroconvection Static electricfication

15

BEE 3243 Electric Power Systems Module 1

Problem: Dielectrophoresis in Liquids

Dielectrophoresis (force is exerted on dielectric particle when it is subjected to a non-uniform field) can lead to collection of metallic (high permittivity) particles at high stress regions. This resulting in enhanced fields and localised discharges thereby leading ultimately to insulation failure. Such mechanisms can also lead to forced coalescence between droplets of water in oils (thereby forming large drops from number of smaller ones).
16

BEE 3243 Electric Power Systems Module 1

Problem: Electroconvection in Liquid

In electroconvection process, space charge generated in the liquid is subject to mechanical forces from the applied electric field. This produces movement in the oil, and is a mechanism for space charge movement and particles defect mobility. This also may cause further damage through partial discharge and hence material degradation.

17

BEE 3243 Electric Power Systems Module 1

Problem: Static Electrification in Liquids

Static electrification (electrostatic charge) may occurs when liquid dielectric are moving across a surface of material. Usually occurs for oils or water cooled systems. Water benefit of being able to dissipate charges by ionic conduction, whereas ions tends to have a longer life in oils. When oils is force to a metallic structures (e.g. from windings, cores, enclosures etc.), molecule picks up positive and negative charge. The oils deposits negative charges on solid insulation surfaces, retaining the positive charge. This will creates fields within windings which can lead to failure. Thus the correct choice of oils and flow conditions is essential in transformer design.
18

BEE 3243 Electric Power Systems Module 1

d) Conduction due to Cavity Formation

Because of viscous nature of liquids, mechanical perturbations (e.g. flow changes) may lead to bubbles (cavities) being formed. The cavities may likely formed/trapped during services (maintenance work, when manufactured), evolution of gasses through discharges at the electrodes surface or ionisation decomposition in the bulk. Rapid changes in temperature and pressure might also lead to cavities. These will lead to growth of the void and increase the discharge intensity, and failure may follow.
19

BEE 3243 Electric Power Systems Module 1

d) Conduction due to Chemical Reaction

Local partial discharges permeated (spread) in liquids may create high permittivity chemical compounds, in which will increase / lead to the breakdown process. Thus, chemical analysis of transformer and cable oils can be used to indentify if discharges are taking place. If this seen to be the case, the greatest strength of liquids come into play, as the oils now may need to be replaced with a new one. This is a maintenance standard procedure in a cable and or transformer. Clearly the oil which impregnates pressboard or paper is not replaced, so damage in this material will often lead to failure.

20

BEE 3243 Electric Power Systems Module 1

Note References
Subir Ray, An Introduction to High Voltage Engineering, Prentice Hall India, 2004 Haddad & Warne, Advance in High Voltage Engineering, IET Power and Energy Series, 2004 S.M.Rowland, Breakdown in Gaseous, Solid and Liquid Dielectrics, MSc. Lecture Note, The University of Manchester, 2006

21