Electrical Stress Distribution in Three-Core Belted Power Cables

A charge simulation method is used to calculate the stress distibution in a three core belted power cable having circular conductors. Each conductor is represented by Nc infinite line charges arranged in a circular pattern inside the conductor. The sheath is represented by Ns infinite line charges arranged in a circular pattern outside the sheath. Values of Nc and Ns are slected so that the percentage potential error is below 1% even when inter conductor spacing is very small. The variation of stress with location, time and cable parameters is studied in the entire cable crossection. The locations of maximum stress points are determined and magnitudes of these stresses are calculated using typical cable design parameters. The results are presented in a normalized format so that they can be readily applied.