High Voltage and Electrical Insulation Engineering

A novel fundamental approach to the behavior of dielectrics in high voltage engineering

High voltage engineering is the study of dielectric materials, involving physical models to describe how an electric field affects the performance of insulation. It is characterized by the interaction of an electric field with an atom under different conditions. This one-of-a-kind resource features a novel, valuable approach to describing the field-dependent behavior of dielectrics and electrical insulation systems when subjected to high voltage. Based on the advanced-level courses conducted at Technical University Dresden, Germany, and Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, India, the book provides the knowledge necessary for an economical, dependable, and optimum design of insulation systems for all high voltage power apparatus used in power systems.

The contents begin with the description of fundamental terminology commonly used in the area of high voltage engineering. This is followed by the classification of electric fields and the techniques of field estimation. Then the performance of gases, liquids, solids, and vacuum as dielectrics under different field conditions is described. Unique features of this resource include:

• Detailed descriptions of the three types of electric fields on the basis of the Schwaiger Factor

• Introduction of the new concept of Weakly Nonuniform Field

• Classification and explanation of three types of Coronas: Star, Streamer, and Leader

• A new approach to explaining the mechanism of the lightning phenomenon

• Separate, detailed chapters on electric fields, lightning and ball lightning, and the insulating properties of a vacuum

• In-depth coverage of the performance of sulfure hexaflouride gas and its mixtures applicable to the design of Gas Insulated Systems

Graduate-level students and teachers, as well as scientists and engineers involved in highvoltage and insulation engineering and research and development, will appreciate this simple and systematic approach to the subject. Industry and utility personnel will rely on this resource to better understand the practical problems encountered with high voltage installations and equipment.