Dielectric Materials for Electrical Engineering

Chapter 24

Polymeric Insulators in the Electrical Engineering Industry: Examples of Applications, Constraints and Perspectives 1

24.1. Introduction

From the electric power station to the final user, electricity is transported through the medium of high voltage networks, i.e. 1kV to 1,000 kV, and even to 1,200 kV. To ensure the security of electricity supply, the durability of the different electrical equipment used in these networks – transformers, circuit-breakers, lines and cables, etc. – is obviously essential.

Actually, the reliability of this type of product strongly depends on insulating structures and materials. These insulating pieces and structures also play a major role in technical performance and in the cost price of this equipment.

This chapter tackles the main aspects of the engineering of insulating materials for electrical engineering applications, by presenting the typical constraints for the use of high voltage equipment through examples of applications, and then by evoking the possible evolution of the insulation world.

For engineering aspects, the case of high voltage equipment or power transformers is particularly emphasized. However, cables or rotating machines, (such as generators or motors) which are not discussed here, have the same problems and therefore very similar structures, even though thermal or environmental stresses are a bit different.

As for the evolution perspectives, we shall answer the question of optimization of electrical behavior and the ...