Fast electro‐thermal simulation of short‐circuit tests

Abstract

Abstract-Low-and medium-voltage connectors are designed for a service life of more than 30 years, during which they have to withstand extreme conditions, so it is primordial ensuring their thermal performance. Mandatory standardized short-circuit tests are required to homologate electrical connectors which are conducted in singular and scarce laboratories, so it is essential to dispose of fast and accurate simulation tools to predict the thermal performance of the equipment during the design stage. This paper focuses on the application of a fast and accurate simulation method to reproduce the transient thermal behavior and to estimate the transient temperature rise and the subsequent cooling of power connectors during short-circuits. To minimize the computational burden, this paper proposes a fast FDM (finite difference method) approach, based on one-dimensional reduction of the analyzed geometry. To improve accuracy, key three-dimensional information is retained, such as the convective coefficients, the incremental resistance or the cross-section of each node. Results attained by means of the proposed method are validated against experimental results conducted in a high-current laboratory, thus corroborating the usefulness and accuracy of the proposed method. The methodology exposed in this paper can be applied to many other hardware for power lines and substations.

On-Line Remaining Useful Life Estimation of Power Connectors Focused on Predictive Maintenance

“…The aluminum material is EN AW-1050A aluminum according to the EN 573-3:2014 standard [ 34 ], whereas copper material is Cu-ETP according to the EN 13601:2014 standard [ 35 ]. To optimize the contact between the connector and the conductor, the barrel is compressed by means of a hexagonal crimping tool (69 MPa BURNDI EP-1HP) [ 36 ] and the inner surface of the aluminum barrel is covered with contact grease withstanding 140 °C.…”

Time Series RUL Estimation of Medium Voltage Connectors to Ease Predictive Maintenance Plans

“…The connectors are made of copper and aluminum and are designed to be connected to 120 mm 2 aluminum stranded conductors. During installation, the stranded conductors are crimped within the aluminum barrels of the connectors [31] using an hexagonal crimping tool, model BURNDI Y35-BH EP-1HP (max compression force 120 kN) (Manchester, UK) with a remote compression head of 120 kN force. The current loop used in this work has been created by bolting the connectors to each other using M10 bolts, which were tightened by applying a torque of 35 Nm.…”

Application of reduced scale tests to improve the thermal performance of high-voltage substation connectors

“…During the short-circuit test, since the short circuit is a very fast phenomenon, the adiabatic assumption applies [19], [30]. By considering an adiabatic process, it is assumed no heat transfer, and thus the effects of conduction, radiation and convection are neglected, and thus,…”