Simulation of Heat Generation in a Novel T-Clamp for High-Voltage Transmission Lines Based on Multi-Physics Coupling

In this paper, a novel T-clamp is designed to address the heat generation problem of clamp over-heating in high-voltage transmission lines. By comparing with the widely-used parallel groove clamp, a three-dimensional finite element analysis model is created in COMSOL to simulate and calculate the temperature distribution and heating generation power of the T -clamp from different current power flows, contact resistance and ambient temperature and relative humidity. The simulation results indicate that the heat generation power of the T -clamp is about one-sixth times in comparison to the parallel groove clamp under different current distribution conditions. Also, across all scenarios of current input, when the main line on the left side and the branch line each input 150A and 50A and the output is on the opposite side of the main line, in which the T -clamp is optimal. When the bolt torque increases, the contact resistance and heat generation power decrease. The heating power of T -clamp is about one-fifth times higher compared to that of parallel groove clamp when using same torque. The environmental humidity has little influence on the heat generation of the clamp. Furthermore, the temperature rise of the T - clamp is about 5°C, which is approximately 0.5°C lower than that of the parallel groove clamp at different environmental temperatures. The new designed T -clamp is experimentally verified to be simple installation and adaptable, capable of maintaining relatively lower heat generation and temperature rise even in the long-term use.