Homogenizing Electric Field of Lightning in L.P.S. XLPE Descending Conductor

In this paper, behavior of MV cross-linked polyethylene insulation and homogenization of its electric field against the current flow, resulting from lightning stroke to arrest, is studied. In addition, it is shown that using two conductors with different structures field distribution can be homogenized and smoothed in the cable. A theoretical model is proposed for field distribution in the cable and the proposed cable. There is only a radial field (along x) inside a coaxial cable which its external conductor is grounded and varies with distance. That is, Schwager coefficient inside the coaxial cable is a function of this radius, and purpose of this study is to increase insulation breakdown voltage. For instance, if Schwager coefficient reaches 1, no insulation is required, and cable has a maximum breakdown voltage between middle conductor and external conductor. Therefore, by increasing Schwager coefficient, less insulation can be used. By reaching a Schwager coefficient of 58%, field inside the cable becomes homogenized and uniform; insulation can be used for the remained 42%. Now, if this insulation is made of refractory material, cable would provide high insulation strength. Among other advantages of refractory material, high melting point can be mentioned as a result of which they become pasty under critical and boundary conditions. One of the best insulations is XLPE or polyethylene with cross connections between its layers (cross-linked). In this study, critical and boundary condition for coaxial cable are applying lightning stroke of 1.2/50µsec. That is, wave front is 1.2ms and half wave front is 50µs. This current induces a voltage in devices including descending conductor between the aerial terminal of the arrester and ground connection of the arrester which might be several million volts. After obtaining field equations in the studied cable, characteristics of waveforms and creation of these waveforms are described in Simulink.