Inner insulation structure optimization of UHV RIP oil-SF6 bushing using electro-thermal simulation and advanced equal margin design method

The iso-margin method based on the classical analytical equations is widely used in the development of extra high voltage (EHV) bushing. Therefore, its effectiveness and feasibility have been fully validated. However, with the theoretical formula, it is difficult to evaluate the influence of stray capacitance and temperature on the internal electric stress of the ultra high voltage (UHV) bushing. It's necessary to further improve the traditional iso-margin method. Firstly, the basic principle of iso-margin method has been briefly described. After that, the E-field distribution of condenser bushing was investigated on the Finite Element Method (FEM) computing platform. Then, the mathematical model of the advanced equal margin design method was established. Furthermore, this paper presents the program flow of optimization which combines the simulation of electro-thermal coupling process and the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. The proposed methodology was applied to the design of the prototype of the UHV resin impregnated paper (RIP) oil-SF ₆ bushing, which realizes the uniform axial E-field distribution of the bushing condenser. Meanwhile, the partial discharge margin between adjacent foils can be equal. Moreover, the hot-spot temperature is lower than the operation limiting temperature of the RIP material. The bushing condenser was fabricated according to the optimal structure design. The prototype of bushing has passed through all the type tests. In this paper, the FEM electro-thermal coupling simulation and the advanced equal margin design method were applied to the inner insulation structure optimization of the UHV RIP oil-SF ₆ bushing. Meanwhile, the proposed methodology provides some theoretical guidelines for the future research and development of other types of bushing on the UHV level.