Lightning and Switching Impulse Strength of Insulating Materials in Tape Arrangements Within Liquid Nitrogen

In addition to AC or DC voltages, superconducting electrical equipment must withstand transient overvoltages. Up to a voltage level of 245 kV, equipment has to be tested for its lightning impulse (LI) withstand voltage. Above 245 kV, the test for switching impulse (SI) withstand voltage must also be performed. These transient overvoltages are particularly demanding for compact bifilar coil windings used in resistive superconducting fault current limiters. Therefore the aim of this study is to investigate the LI and SI strength of insulating materials in tape arrangements in liquid nitrogen. Polyimide (PI), a porous insulating paper (Grade 4) and the mixed polymer PPLP (polypropylene laminated paper) in the thickness range of 125 to 130 µm are part of the investigation. The results for LI and SI show the highest values of the dielectric strength for PPLP with 203 kV/mm and 240 kV/mm. PI achieves the second highest values with 194 kV/mm as LI strength and 226 kV/mm as SI strength. With Grade 4, the lowest values are measured at 166 kV/mm and 148 kV/mm, which are, however, surprisingly high for a conventional insulating paper. Additionally, Grade 4 is the only material with a higher LI strength than SI strength. Compared to the AC strengths, the values of the impulse strengths are higher for all materials investigated, with the exception of PI, where the AC strength is in the same range as the SI strength.