Shape optimization of HV barrier using parameter refinement

A gas insulated switchgear barrier with conical insulators from a cast epoxy resin was optimized to withstand surge wave stress. The field distribution across the insulator with a long creepage path and field distortion due to the deposition of charge on the insulator surface was calculated on a parametric geometry model by finite element technique. A fast improvement in insulator shape and surrounding electrodes was achieved using a method with orthogonal arrays constructed for few parameters level refinement at a reduced number of field calculations. The former optimization and test results verified this approach in modeling high voltage insulators in SF6 gas.