Simulation of Temperature Distribution Behavior of High Voltage Cable Joints with Typical Defects

The cable joint is a very complex and sensitive part of the electrical cable. Defects in the cable joint and accessories cause deterioration and degradation of the insulation system because of improper performance, production, assembly, and bad installation. The defects in the cable joints may lead significantly to an increase in the temperature distribution. Some specific features and factors represent the cable's working state and the cable joint's temperature behavior. However, the power cable system strength relies on different characteristics such as a cavity, permittivity, size & shape, and cable position. The main purpose of this paper is to determine the temperature distribution behavior of the cable joint effectively and to resolve the shortcoming of the conventional thermal simulation model, based on the concept of heat transfer model and finite element method (FEM) by using COMSOL Software. First, an equivalent model of 11kV cable joint with XLPE and EPDM insulation layers has been designed. Second, the typical artificial particles, including air particles, semiconductor particles, metal particles, knife cut defect, and needle defect, were added to the cable's insulation. Third, the cable joint simulation with each typical particle and defect has been carried out to examine the temperature distribution behavior. The temperature distribution of each particle has been identified individually. The simulation result determines that each particle and defect's temperature distribution behavior has a different response, and the temperature effect change as the particles and defect change.