Effect of Electrode Protrusions on Properties of Polyethylene as a Dielectric for Capacitors

Abstract

The electric field distribution within capacitors and cables is predominantly influenced by the geometrical profile of the electrodes. It is important to consider the presence of protrusions on the electrode surface, as they can significantly impact the electric field intensity. These protrusions can intensify the electric field, potentially leading to premature breakdown of the dielectric material. Hence, the presence of protrusions on the surface of electrodes in high-voltage capacitors holds immense significance and should be carefully considered in the design and manufacturing processes. In this paper, a capacitor model with protrusions is simulated in FEM-based COMSOL Multiphysics software. Electric field distribution is obtained and the effect of protrusion geometry on peak electric field is analyzed.