Simulation of Electrical Tree Breakdown Process in Epoxy Resin with Phase Field Modeling

Abstract

The supporting insulation components of high-voltage GIL/GIS and cable terminals and other power equipment are usually cast with epoxy resin/alumina mixture, which frequently leads to breakdown and disintegration under complex operating conditions, which seriously threatens the safe and stable operation of power system. In this paper, the research progress of numerical simulation of electrical tree deterioration is introduced, and the phase-field simulation model of epoxy resin composites is established. The effects of temperature gradient and filler distribution on electrical tree are discussed. The simulation model can predict the breakdown time in epoxy and its composite.