Copper particle effect on the breakdown strength of insulating oil at combined AC and DC voltage

Abstract

Converter transformer is the key equipment of high voltage direct current transmission system. The solid suspending particles originating from the process of installation and operation of converter transformer have significant influence on the insulation performance of transformer oil, especially in presence of DC component in applied voltage. Under high electric field, the particles easily lead to partial discharge and breakdown of insulating oil. This paper investigated copper particle effect on the breakdown voltage of transformer oil at combined AC and DC voltage. A simulation model with single copper particle was established to interpret the particle effect on the breakdown strength of insulating oil. The experimental and simulation results showed that the particles distort the electric field. The breakdown voltage of insulating oil contaminated with copper particle decreases with the increase of particle number, and the breakdown voltage and the logarithm of particle number approximately satisfy the linear relationship. With the increase of the DC component in applied voltage, the breakdown voltage of contaminated insulating oil decreases. The simulation results show that the particle collides with the electrode more frequently with more DC component contained in the applied voltage, which will trigger more discharge and decrease the breakdown voltage of insulating oil.