Partial Discharge Characteristics Comparison between MV Underground Cable and MMEI Cable for Envisaged Wide-Body All-Electric Aircraft

Achieving net-zero emissions in the aviation sector requires full electrification, with all-electric aircraft (AEA) relying on high-power-density electric power systems (EPS). Medium voltage DC (MVDC) is preferred over low-voltage systems due to its efficiency and reduced system mass for wide-body AEA. Power cables face significant thermal challenges, particularly at a cruising altitude of 12.2 km, where the low pressure (18.8 kPa) limits convection heat transfer. Factors like pressure, surface emissivity, and ambient geometry affect the cable's temperature distribution, deviating from ground-level conditions. Our previous research introduced various Multifunctional Multilayer Electrical Insulation (MMEI) designs to address these challenges, with the ARC-SC-T-MMEI cable system emerging as an optimal solution. Fabricated via compression molding, it offers superior thermal performance, arc resistance, and EMI shielding. This study examines its partial discharge (PD) characteristics, comparing it with commercially available underground (UG) MV cables.