| dc.description.abstract | High-voltage (HV) cable systems are the foundation for the transmission of electricity, but they are susceptible to partial discharges (PD), particularly at joint locations, which can cause insulation failure leading to breakdown.
This thesis investigates the potential of advanced laser scanning techniques, combined with simulations and calculations, to predict and mitigate such discharges by identifying the voltage levels at which they initiate. The predicted voltages were compared with empirical testing results to validate the methodology used.
Utilizing a HandySCAN BLACK™|Elite handheld 3D scanner, the study generated detailed 3D models of deliberately implemented cuts in cable insulation. These models were analyzed to derive the depths of the cuts, which were used in electric field simulations to calculate the Field Enhancement Factor (FEF), quantifying the increase in electric field intensity due to the defects. Subsequent calculations of Partial Discharge Inception Voltage (PDIV) were based on these FEFs and Paschen’s Law to predict the voltage at which PD would initiate.
Empirical tests measured the PDIV of the physical cable end, validating the accuracy of the simulation model through comparison. The findings confirm the effectiveness of using 3D laser scanning for defect detection and subsequent simulations and calculations for PDIV estimations, indicating significant enhancements in HV cable installation processes and quality control. | |
