Simulations for Investigating Effect of Non-Uniform Space Charge Distributions on PEA Measurement

Quantitative analysis and understanding of space charge phenomenon in high-voltage direct current (HVDC) dielectric materials is a critical aspect of ensuring the reliability of HVDC systems. The presence of space charge in dielectrics enhances local electrical fields and thus is a key factor affecting insulation performance. It causes insulation degradation, accelerates aging, and in the most severe scenarios, cause electrical breakdown. Consequently, measuring space charges is vital to comprehend the processes that contribute to insulation failure. The most widely used space charge measurement technique is Pulsed Electro-Acoustic (PEA) method. Modeling methods have been employed in the past researches on various software to understand the impact of different PEA kit’s design parameters on the output signal. However, these studies have considered a uniform geometry of space charge layer within the sample under consideration. As HVDC technology evolves, there is a growing need to comprehensively characterize and understand space charge behavior. Thus, this research focuses on considering non-linear geometries of space charge distributions in the PEA models and its impact on the PEA output signal.