Finite difference method for electric field optimization in high voltage power transformer bushings using engineering simulation and 3D design program

Abstract

The electric field optimization minimizing the field strength on an electrode surface and providing its uniformity is important in designing high voltage power transformer bushings and other apparatus from the viewpoint of efficient utilization of the electric field space. The high voltage power transformer bushing with cylinder electrode system has been designed and tested in this investigation. It was found that the insulation method of the cylinder electrode was the most important factor to lower streamer initiation voltage. The optimized design uses both internal and external elements for electric stress grading at critical parts of the bushing. Applying optimization theory based on charge simulation method, the author developed a computation program for electric field automatic optimization in 3D dielectric axisymmetric field. The results of the computation realized some excellent electrode profiles with uniform electric field distribution. Moreover, the discrepancy from the electric field uniformity on 3D dimensional profile caused by applying it to an axisymmetric electrode was discussed. Then a new electrode with uniform field distribution was obtained by using the computation program for optimization.