Partial Discharge Inception Voltage: Precise and Robust Numerical Estimation Based on Extensive Dielectric Spectroscopy Measurements

This paper provides a robust experimental-simulation approach in predicting the partial discharge inception voltage (PDIV) for aeronautical applications. First, two polymers used as insulators in aeronautic components have been selected in this work, a polyimide and a polyetheretherketone. To study the electrical behavior of these materials, extensive dielectric spectroscopy measurements are carried out for different electric fields, temperatures and frequencies (E, T, and
$\boldsymbol{f}$
). Then, a needle-plane configuration is adopted for PDIV modeling using finite-element method (FEM). As the model is strongly dependent upon the accurate estimation of the electric field, dielectric characterizations results are integrated in simulations to improve the precision of calculations. Thereafter, the PDIV can be estimated with the aid of Townsend's theory. Finally, a comparison between measured and computed PDIV values is presented and discussed.