High voltage testing of short samples of 110 kV high temperature power superconducting transmission cables with the HAIhKE facility

Basic components of a high temperature superconducting power transmission cable were developed in the framework of a R&D program under the leadership of the Siemens Corporation. For the test and selection of the high voltage insulation, a liquid nitrogen impregnated solid dielectric, the HAIhKE (Hochspannungs-Anlage zur Isolationsprufung an hochtemperatursupraleitenden Kabelkurzproben fur die Energietechnik) test facility was designed, constructed and taken into operation. High voltage tests were performed on 1 m short samples similar to the standard IEC 840 for conventional power cables with this facility. Under consideration of the space limitations, AC voltages to 200 kV/sub rms/ and standard lightning impulse voltages to 475 kV peak were applied to these test samples at liquid nitrogen temperature. In addition, examinations on impregnation behaviour, partial discharge, permittivity and dielectric loss were performed. The electrical and cryogenic investigations lead to the electrical Insulation selection for a one phase 50 m prototype cable test at the Siemens (today Pirelli) cable factory.