Effect of Nano-MgO Doping in XLPE on Charge Transport and Electric Field Distribution in Composite Insulation of HVDC Cable Joint

Abstract

The space charge characteristics of cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) can be improved to some extent by doping the appropriate amount of nano-MgO. In this study, in order to explore the influence of nano-MgO on the space charge and electric field distributions of the composite insulation of high voltage direct current (HVDC) cable joints, the effect of nano-MgO concentration on the depth and density of the deep traps in MgO/XLPE was first analyzed. On this basis, the charge transport simulation model of a 320 kV HVDC cable joint was established with MgO/XLPE as the cable insulation, and the space charge and electric field distributions of the cable joint under different temperature conditions were simulated. It was found that the radial charge distribution in the joint shows different trends with the change of nano-MgO concentration. There is a significant difference in the charge density on both sides of the (MgO/XLPE)/EPDM interface, and the difference first decreased and then increased with the increase of concentration. When the nano-MgO concentration was 0.5 wt%, the number of charges in the radial direction is the fewest, and the maximum value is only 0.42 C/m−3. The radial electric field changed abruptly at the (MgO/XLPE)/EPDM interface, and it was homogenized to a certain extent with time. It was found that the highest electric field of the interface is at the root of the stress cone, which is the weakest point of the joint insulation. When the nano-MgO concentration was 0.5 wt%, the electric field at the root of the stress cone was found to be the lowest, with a value of 13.38 kV/mm. A comprehensive comparison shows that the joint can maintain better insulation when the concentration is 0.5 wt% compared to other concentrations. The results can provide a basis for further improving the insulation properties of HVDC cable joints through nano doping technology.