Optimization of the Electric Field Distribution at the End of the Stator in a Large Generator

Abstract

The electric field distribution at the end of a large hydro-generator is highly nonuniform and prone to corona discharge, which damages the main insulation and significantly reduces the service life of the hydro-generator. In order to reduce the thickness of the main insulation and the physical size of a large hydro-generator, it is necessary to understand the distribution of the electric field at the end of its stator bar. In this paper, the stator bar at the end of a large generator is simulated using the finite element method to determine the distribution of the potential, electric field, and loss at the rated voltage, as well as to elucidate the differences between the linear corona protection, two-segment nonlinear corona protection, and three-segment nonlinear corona protection structures. The influences of the arc angle, length of each corona protection layer, intrinsic resistivity of the corona protection material, and nonlinear coefficient are also analyzed. The results manifest that the angle of the stator bar should be 22.5°, the difference in resistivity between the two adjacent corona protection coatings should not exceed two orders of magnitude, and the resistivity of the medium resistivity layer should be nearly 106 Ω·m or 107 Ω·m, for an optimal design of the corona protection structure.