Masters Degrees (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)
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Browsing Masters Degrees (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) by browse.metadata.advisor "Bekker, Nelius"
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- ItemInvestigation into the influence of electrode material on the IEC Inclined Plane test procedure (IEC 60587) when applied for Direct Current (DC) voltages(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2021-03) Swinny, Raphael; Bekker, Nelius; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The inclined plane test (IPT) for testing the tracking and erosion resistance of polymer insulating materials is well established for AC conditions. Numerous researchers have used the standard AC test procedure and adapted it for DC application by applying both polarities of DC. Most researchers identify the amplitude and polarity of the applied DC voltage, conductivity and flow rate of contaminant, material properties of the samples under test, and erosion of the steel electrodes under DC energization as critical factors affecting the outcome of the tests. This research investigated the extent and effect of steel electrode erosion under DC energization, making use of the IEC 60587 test procedure, adapted for DC application. AC and DC inclined plane tests were conducted using standard steel electrodes as specified by IEC 60587. In addition, special carbon glass electrodes, with dimensions similar to that of the standard steel electrodes, were introduced into the test to ascertain whether this type of electrode material would eliminate/reduce the impact of steel electrode erosion. Tests were conducted at 4.5kV AC and ± DC, at a contaminant flow rate of 0.6 ml/min, using standard HTV Silicone Rubber samples with 51 % weight ATH filler. Results confirmed substantial erosion of the steel electrodes particularly under DC + energisation. The substitution of carbon glass for steel as an electrode material overcame the problem of electrode erosion, however tests conducted using the carbon glass electrodes were found to be much more aggressive in terms of material degradation. This is attributed to the reduced thermal conductivity of the carbon glass electrodes. Lastly, contaminant flow rate was found to be one of the biggest factors affecting the repeatability of the IPT, whether conducted under AC or DC.