Clamp Design for Distribution Line Covered Conductor

Cover conductors are widely used in distribution networks to reduce the potential for temporary disturbances. However, in its application, it is often found that covered conductors break due to a series of processes initiated by the occurrence of high voltage stress. High voltage stress causes pinholes in the insulating material of the covered conductor. Broken-covered conductors tend not to be detected by relays and can be a hazard to the environment. For this reason, this paper discusses the method of preventing pinholes by changing the existing conductor binding system into a clamp system. Several combinations of materials are simulated to obtain the smallest stress value on the covered conductor material to minimize the potential for pinholes. The simulation is carried out using the finite element method with a 2D model of the cross-section of the insulator, clamp equipment, and cover conductor. The results showed that the smallest voltage stress value in the clamp method could be obtained if the clamp material uses a layer of semiconductor material and XLPE material.