Calculation of electric field distribution at high voltage cable terminations

Crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) insulated power cables are used for transmission and distribution of electrical power. Such cables are subjected to extensive high voltage testing for performance evaluation and quality control purposes. During such testing, the cable ends have to be prepared carefully to make a proper end termination. Usually deionized water terminations are used for this purpose. Alternatively conductive paint is used to prepare such a termination. This paper presents a method of calculating the voltage distribution across such a resistive termination when subjected to AC voltage testing. The proposed method is used to determine the effect of different design parameters on voltage and stress distribution on such cable ends. The method is simple and can be used to explain undergraduate/ graduate students the importance of stress control at a cable termination which is critical part of such cables.