ORIGINAL PAPER
Computer simulation and management of partial discharges in XLPE insulation of high-voltage power cable
1
Institute of Electrodynamics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Ukraine
2
Management Department, AGH University of Krakow, Poland
Submission date: 2025-06-14
Final revision date: 2025-07-08
Acceptance date: 2025-07-15
Publication date: 2025-09-30
Corresponding author
Polityka Energetyczna – Energy Policy Journal 2025;28(3):5-26
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
This study aims to investigate partial discharges (PD) occurring in micro-sized voids within the polymer insulation of high-voltage power cables, which serve as critical early indicators of internal insulation faults and potential failures. Accurate analysis and modeling of these PD phenomena are essential for improving the reliability and safety of power transmission systems. In this research, a detailed simulation of partial discharge behavior was conducted using MATLAB/Simulink software, focusing on the influence of void size, as well as the amplitude and frequency of the applied sinusoidal voltage, on PD characteristics. The simulation model incorporates key physical parameters to represent the micro-void environment and electrical stress conditions accurately. Key findings demonstrate that as the diameter of the gas-filled void increases, both the number of discharges within each voltage cycle and the charge transferred during individual partial discharges increase significantly.
Additionally, an increase in the amplitude of the applied voltage results in a greater number of discharges per period, indicating heightened insulation stress. The study also reveals a proportional relationship between voltage frequency and the average partial discharge current, where higher frequencies lead to increased PD activity. A novel aspect of this work is the ability to correlate partial discharge measurements obtained under high-frequency voltage conditions with those at the industrial standard frequency of 50 Hz. This correlation facilitates more accurate interpretation and prediction of insulation degradation and remaining service life in polymer-insulated cables and other high-voltage energy facilities.
FUNDING
This work was carried out within the project “Development of the theory and methods of the effect of non-sinusoidal voltages and currents and electrothermodynamic processes on the reliability and resource of modern power cable lines” (state registration No. 0123U100693).
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The Authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
METADATA IN OTHER LANGUAGES:
Polish
Symulacja komputerowa i zarządzanie wyładowaniami częściowymi w izolacji XLPE kabli wysokiego napięcia
symulacja komputerowa, zarządzanie wyładowaniami częściowymi, kable energetyczne wysokiego napięcia
Celem niniejszego artykułu jest zbadanie wyładowań częściowych (PD) występujących w mikroskopijnych pustkach w izolacji polimerowej kabli wysokiego napięcia, które stanowią kluczowe wczesne wskaźniki wewnętrznych uszkodzeń izolacji i potencjalnych awarii. Dokładna analiza i modelowanie tych zjawisk PD ma zasadnicze znaczenie dla poprawy niezawodności i bezpieczeństwa systemów przesyłu energii elektrycznej. W ramach niniejszych prac badawczych przeprowadzono szczegółową symulację zachowania wyładowań częściowych przy użyciu oprogramowania MATLAB/Simulink, koncentrując się na wpływie wielkości pustki, a także amplitudy i częstotliwości przyłożonego napięcia sinusoidalnego na charakterystykę PD. Model symulacyjny uwzględnia kluczowe parametry fizyczne, aby dokładnie odzwierciedlić środowisko mikropustki i warunki obciążenia elektrycznego. Kluczowe wyniki pokazują, że wraz ze wzrostem średnicy pustej przestrzeni wypełnionej gazem znacznie wzrasta zarówno liczba wyładowań w każdym cyklu napięcia, jak i ładunek przenoszony podczas poszczególnych wyładowań częściowych.
Ponadto wzrost amplitudy przyłożonego napięcia powoduje większą liczbę wyładowań w jednym okresie, co wskazuje na zwiększone naprężenie izolacji. W artykule wskazano również proporcjonalną zależność między częstotliwością napięcia a średnim prądem wyładowań częściowych, gdzie wyższe częstotliwości prowadzą do zwiększonej aktywności wyładowań częściowych. Nowatorskim aspektem tej pracy jest możliwość skorelowania pomiarów wyładowań częściowych uzyskanych w warunkach napięcia o wysokiej częstotliwości z pomiarami wykonanymi przy standardowej częstotliwości przemysłowej 50 Hz. Korelacja ta ułatwia dokładniejszą interpretację i prognozowanie degradacji izolacji oraz pozostałego okresu eksploatacji kabli z izolacją polimerową i innych obiektów energetycznych wysokiego napięcia.
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