Simulation and Computational Study on the Structural Design of the Buffer Layer of Smooth Aluminium Sheathed Cable

Smooth aluminium sheathed cable can effectively avoid the corrugated aluminium sheathed cable buffer layer and aluminium sheathed cable poor electrical contact defects, but at present the optimum parameters for its aluminium sheathed cable thickness and gap control is not clear. In this paper, the operational thermal expansion of 220 kV 1200 mm
²
smooth aluminium sheathed cable is calculated, while a four-point bending three-dimensional simulation model is established to analyze the compressible thickness of the buffer layer, the gap between the aluminium sleeve and the buffer water-blocking layer, and the design requirements of the aluminium sheath. The results show that the compressible thickness of the buffer layer of 220 kV 1200 mm
²
smooth aluminium sheathed cable is recommended to be designed as 2.0~2.5 mm for absorbing the thermal expansion, and the thickness of the aluminium sheath is recommended to be designed as 2.0 mm. The study solves the problem of ambiguity in the design parameters of smooth aluminium sheathed cable, and provides guidance for the structural optimisation of cables.