Electrically-small loop antennas are a complex topic, with many design concepts to consider, including: effective magnetic core permeability, antenna impedance, antenna radiation, surrounding medium effects, and optimization approaches. There is a plethora of literature available covering these subjects but many conflict, compete, or are overall lacking; this thesis seeks to compare and analyze literature then validate with measurements, allowing optimal design.

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O presente trabalho propÃe a implantaÃÃo de um novo modelo de chave fusÃvel para ser utilizado em locais com alto Ãndice de poluiÃÃo salina, para com isso reduzir significativamente as ocorrÃncias de falta indevida de chaves fusÃveis e assim melhorar os Ãndices de DEC e FEC. Foram utilizadas como experimento de campo as redes de distribuiÃÃo existentes nas cidades de Aracati, Fortim e IcapuÃ, nos quais se observou um excelente desempenho da chave fusÃvel com duplo isolamento para as situaÃÃes, nos quais existem um alto Ãndice de poluiÃÃo salina. A chave do tipo fusÃvel à um equipamento composto de elementos destinados à proteÃÃo do circuito contra danos e efeitos dinÃmicos resultantes de faltas no sistema de distribuiÃÃo de energia. A utilizaÃÃo da chave fusÃvel de duplo isolamento foi responsÃvel pela reduÃÃo das ocorrÃncias provenientes da poluiÃÃo salina no perÃodo seco. Para se chegar a esse modelo de chave fusÃvel foram desenvolvidos vÃrios protÃtipos, os quais tentam eliminar a corrente de fuga ocasionada pela poluiÃÃo salina. Com a utilizaÃÃo dessa nova chave fusÃvel pÃde-se constatar a preservaÃÃo dos elos fusÃveis e a diminuiÃÃo dos registros de operaÃÃes indevidas, que provocavam acrÃscimo no tempo de trabalho das equipes, perda de material e principalmente insatisfaÃÃo do cliente. Este trabalho enfatiza as principais caracterÃsticas deste novo modelo de chave fusÃvel no que concerne a confiabilidade e a seguranÃa no fornecimento de energia. / This paper proposes the implementation of a new type of switch fuse to be used in areas with high saline pollution, to reduce significantly the occurrences of lack of improper switch fuses and thereby improve the rates of DEC and FEC. Distribution networks were used as field experiment in the towns of Aracati, Fortim and IcapuÃ, in which there was an excellent performance of the switch fuse with double insulation for situations where there is a high rate of saline pollution. The switch, which is in the form of fuse, is a device composed of elements designed to protect the circuit from damage and dynamic effects resulting from faults in power distribution system. The use of double isolated switch fuse was responsible for the reduction of saline pollution occurrences in the dry season. To achieve this type of switch fuse, several prototypes were developed to try the elimination the leakage current caused by pollution saline. By using this new equipment, we could see the preservation of fuse links and the reduction of improper operations records, which caused an increase in working time of staff, loss of material and especially customer dissatisfaction. This paper emphasizes the main features of this new model of switch fuse when it comes to reliability and security of energy supply.

This work aims to provide an analysis and definitions of problems during the machining of electrical insulation composite materials. The main objective of this work is to put forward innovative alternatives in order to deal with technological conditions. The chosen alternative is then subjected to both testing and economic evaluation.

Examination of the paper insulation and copper stress braiding during stripdown of a number of Current Transformers (FMK type 400kV) has revealed the presence of dark deposits. Copper foils are often interspersed within layers of paper insulation and mineral oil found in transformer windings. The dark deposits were often found in association with these foils, affecting several layers of paper in addition to the layer in contact with the copper foil. This thesis describes the research undertaken to identify these deposits and establish a mechanism for the transportation through the paper layers. Preliminary investigation using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in conjunction with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) has shown these dark deposits to be copper based. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to show that the transport of the copper deposit through the paper insulation was working under the influence of a diffusion controlled process, related to Fick's law. Laboratory studies in support of work designed to eliminate the problem have shown that corrosion of copper occurs in mineral oils containing a trace of oxygen. This corrosion is non protective in character and leads to migration of copper into adjacent layers of paper. It has been shown that the transport of copper through several layers of paper can be measured by XPS and that the concentration from one paper winding to the next declines in accord with Fick's law for non-steady state diffusion. Measurements of surface concentrations by XPS correlate well with measurements made with atomic absorption spectroscopy on solutions of extracts of the contaminated paper. The laboratory measurements have allowed determination of the diffusion coefficients and activation energy for the transport process and thus give a basis for interpretation of the diffusion profiles found in the transformer in terms of time and temperature of operation. The diffusion process is temperature dependant. The results have been used to produce long term prediction curves.

High voltage rotating machines play a significant role in generation and use of electrical energy as the demand for power continues to increase. However, one of the main causes for down times in high voltage rotating machines is related to problems with the winding insulation. The utilities want to reduce costs through longer maintenance intervals and a higher lifetime of the machines. These demands create a challenge for the producers of winding insulations, the manufacturers of high voltage rotating machines and the utilities to develop new insulation materials which can improve the life of the equipment and reduce the maintenance cost. The advent of nanotechnology in recent times has heralded a new era in materials technology by creating opportunities to significantly enhance the properties of existing conventional materials. Polymer nanocomposites belong to one such class of materials that exhibit unique combinations of physical, mechanical and thermal properties which are advantageous as compared to the traditional polymers or their composites. Even though they show tremendous promise for dielectric/electrical insulation applications, there are no studies relating to the long term performance as well as life estimation of the nanocomposites. Considering this, an attempt is made to generate an understanding on the feasibility of these nanocomposites for electrical insulation applications. An epoxy based nanocomposite system is chosen for this study along with alumina (Al2O3) and silica (SiO2) as the nanofillers. The first and the foremost requirement for studies on polymer nanocomposites is to achieve a uniform dispersion of nanoparticles in the polymer matrix, as nanoparticles are known to agglomerate and form large particle sizes. A laboratory based direct dispersion method is used to process epoxy nanocomposites in order to get well dispersed samples. A detailed microscopy analysis of the filler dispersion using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) has been carried out to check the dispersion of the nanofiller in the polymer. An attempt is made to characterize and analyze the interaction dynamics at the interface regions in the epoxy nanocomposite by glass transition temperature (Tg) measurements and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy studies. The values of Tg for the nanocomposites studied decreases at 0.1 wt% filler loading and then starts to increase gradually with increase in filler loading. This Tg variation suggests that there is certainly an interaction between the epoxy chains and the nanoparticles. Also no new chemical bonds were observed in the spectra of epoxy nanocomposite as compared to unfilled epoxy. But changes were observed in the peak intensity and width of the –OH band in the spectrum of epoxy nanocomposite. This change was due to the formation of the hydrogen bonding between the epoxy and the nanofiller. The thermal conductivity of the epoxy alumina and the epoxy silica nanocomposites increased even with the addition of 0.1 wt% of the filler. This increase in thermal conductivity is one of the factors that make these nanocomposites a better option for electrical insulation applications. The dielectric properties of epoxy nanocomposites obtained in this investigation also reveal few interesting behaviors which are found to be unique and advantageous as compared to similar properties of unfilled materials. It is observed that the addition of fillers of certain loadings of nanoparticles to epoxy results in the nanocomposite permittivity value to be lower than that of the unfilled epoxy over the entire range of frequencies [10-2-106 Hz] considered in this study. This reduction has been attributed to the inhibition of polymer chain mobility caused by the addition of the nanoparticles. The tan values are almost the same or lower as compared to the unfilled epoxy for the different filler loadings considered. This behavior is probably due to the influence of the interface as the strong bonding at the interface will make the interface very stable with fewer defects apart from acting as charge trapping centres. From a practical application point of view, the surface discharge resistant characteristics of the materials are very important and this property has also been evaluated. The resistance to surface discharge is measured in the form of roughness on the surface of the material caused by the discharges. A significant enhancement in the discharge resistance has been observed for nanocomposites as compared to unfilled epoxy/ microcomposites, especially at longer exposure durations. The partial discharge (PD) measurements were carried out at regular intervals of time and it is observed that the PD magnitude reduced with discharge duration in the case of epoxy alumina nanocomposites. An attempt was made to understand the chemical changes on the surface by conducting the FTIR studies on the aged surface. For all electrical insulation applications, materials having higher values of dielectric strengths are always desired and necessary. So AC breakdown studies have also been conducted. The AC breakdown strength shows a decreasing trend up to a certain filler loading and then an increase at 5 wt% filler loading for epoxy alumina nanocomposites. It has been also observed that the type of filler as well as the thickness of the filler influences the breakdown strength. The AC dielectric strength of microcomposites are observed to be lower than the nanocomposites. Extensive research by long term aging studies and life estimation are needed before these new nanocomposites can be put into useful service. So long term aging studies under combined electrical and thermal stresses have been carried out on unfilled epoxy and epoxy alumina nanocomposite samples of filler loading 5 wt%. The important dielectric parameters like pemittivity, tan  and volume resistivity were measured before and after aging to understand the performance of the material under study. The leakage current was measured at regular intervals and tan  values were calculated with duration of aging. It was observed that the tan  values increased drastically for unfilled epoxy for the aging duration considered as compared to epoxy alumina nanocomposites. The life estimation of unfilled epoxy as well as epoxy nanocomposites were also performed by subjecting the samples to different stress levels of 6 kV/mm, 7 kV/mm and 8 kV/mm at 60 oC. It is observed that the epoxy alumina nanocomposite has an enhanced life which is nine times the life of the unfilled epoxy. These results obtained for the nanocomposites enable us to design a better material with improved dielectric strength, dielectric properties, thermal conductivity, resistance to surface discharge degradation and enhanced life without sacrificing the flexibility in the end product and the ease of processing. Dry type transformers and stator winding insulation need to be cast with the above material developed and tested before practically implementing these in the actual application.

La conception et la validation d’un nouveau moteur électrique nécessitent d’examiner les comportements dans le temps des différents matériaux d’isolation électrique face aux multiples contraintes qu’ils subissent. Les caractérisations au cours des vieillissements thermiques, hygrothermiques, thermomécaniques et électriques, ont porté sur les matériaux seuls , avec un focus particulier sur les résines d’imprégnation : une à base de polyesterimide et une à base d’époxy chargé, mais également sur les systèmes d’isolation électrique complets. Les autres matériaux sont l’émail des fils de cuivre, constitué de polyesterimide et de polyamide-imide, et deux papiers d’isolation tri-couches à base de Nomex® et de Kapton® pour l’un, et de Nomex® et de PET pour l’autre. Des caractérisations physico-chimiques (suivi de masse, spectroscopies IR et diélectrique, microscopie optique) et mécanique (flexion 3 points) ont permis de mettre en évidence des mécanismes de dégradations des matériaux lors des vieillissements thermiques et hygrothermiques tels que la perte d’adhérence de l’émail ou bien la délamination de la résine époxy. La caractérisation électrique des motorettes par des mesures de décharges partielles, a permis une évaluation des impacts des différents vieillissements et également de les corréler avec certains comportements des matériaux. L’influence de la forme d’onde sur la TADP a été étudiée. Il n’apparait aucune différence significative dans nos conditions entre des mesures sous signaux sinusoïdaux et sous signaux carrés. Les simulations de champs électriques sur les motorettes sont en accord avec les tensions d’apparition de décharges partielles (TADP) mesurées et avec l’influence de la température sur ces TADP. / Design and validation of a new electric motor require an examination of the behavior of the electrical insulating materials under different stresses. Characterizations were performed during aging, thermal, hydrothermal, thermomechanical and electrical, both on the materials, with a special focus on the impregnating resins: a polyesterimide and a filled epoxy, and on models of the electrical system. Other materials have also been characterized such as the enamel covering the copper, with a formulation based on polyesterimide and polyamide-imide, and two 3-layer insulating papers based on Nomex® and Kapton® for the first and on Nomex® and PET for the second. Physicochemical analyses (mass loss, IR and dielectric spectroscopies, optical microscopy) and mechanical characterizations (3-points bending) allowed the identification of the degradation mechanisms during thermal and hydrothermal aging. The effects of the applied stresses on the motorettes were evidenced by measurements of partial discharges. Correlations with the observed behaviors of the materials were underlined, such as the loss of enamel adhesion or the delamination of the epoxy resin. The influence of the waveform on the PDIV has also been studied and it revealed no significant difference between sinus wave and square wave. Simulations of electric fields on the motorettes are in agreement with the measurements of partial discharge inception voltages (PDIV) and with the influence of temperature on these PDIV.

Polymers are widely used as insulating materials in high voltage power apparatus because of their excellent electrical insulating properties and good thermomechanical behavior. However, under high electrical stress, polymeric materials can get deteriorated which can eventually lead to the failure of the insulation and thereby the power apparatus. Electrical treeing is one such phenomena whereby dendritic paths progressively grow from a region of high electrical stress and branch into conducting channels in a solid dielectric. The propagation of electrical trees is of particular interest for the power industry as it is one of the major causes of failure of high voltage insulation especially in high voltage cables, cast resin transformers as well as rotating machines. To improve the life time of the electrical insulation systems there is a need to improve the electrical treeing resistance of the insulating material for high voltage application. With the development of nanotechnology, polymer nanocomposites containing nano sized particles have drawn much attention as these materials are found to exhibit unique combinations of physical, mechanical and thermal properties that are advantageous as compared to the traditional polymers or their composites. Literature reveals that significant progress has been made with respect to the mechanical, optical, electronic and photonic properties of these functional materials. Some efforts have also been directed towards the study of dielectric/electrical insulation properties of these new types of materials. Considering the above facts, the present research work focuses on utilizing these new opportunities which have been opened up by the advent of nanocomposites to develop tree resistant insulating materials for high voltage power applications. Electrical treeing is a common failure mechanism in most of the polymeric insulation systems and hence electrical treeing studies have been carried out on two types of polymers (viz. polyethylene used in high voltage cable and epoxy used in rotating machines and resin cast transformers) along with three different types of nano-fillers, viz. Al2O3, SiO2 and MgO and with different filler loadings (0.1, 1, 3, 5 wt%). Furthermore, considering the fact that electrical treeing is a discharge phenomenon, the partial discharge characteristics during electrical tree growth in polymer nanocomposites was studied. As morphological changes in the polymer influence the electrical tree growth, the influence of nano-particle induced morphological changes on the electrical treeing has also been studied. Above all, an attempt has also been made to characterize and analyze the interaction dynamics at the interface regions in the polymer nanocomposite and the influence of these interface regions on the tree growth phenomena in polymer nanocomposites. A laboratory based nanocomposite processing method has been successfully designed and adopted to prepare the samples for treeing studies. Treeing experimental results show that there is a significant improvement in tree initiation time as well as tree inception voltage with nano-filler loading in polymer nanocomposites. It is observed that even with the addition of a small amount (0.1 and 1 % by weight) of nano-particles to epoxy results in the improvement of electrical treeing resistance as compared to the unfilled epoxy. In fact, different tree growth patterns were observed for the unfilled epoxy and epoxy nanocomposites. Surprisingly, even though there is not much improvement in tree inception time, a saturation tendency in tree growth with time was observed at higher filler loadings. To understand the influence of nano-particles on electrical treeing, the interaction dynamics in the epoxy nanocomposites were studied and it was shown that the nature of the bonding at the interface play an important role on the electrical tree growth in epoxy nanocomposites. The results of electrical treeing experiments in polyethylene nanocomposites obtained in this study also reveal some interesting findings. An improved performance of polyethylene against electrical treeing with the inclusion of nano-fillers is observed. It is observed that there is a significant improvement in the tree inception voltage even with low nano-filler loadings in polyethylene. Other interesting results such as change in tree growth pattern from branch to bush as well as slower tree growth with increase in filler loading were also observed. Another peculiar observation is that tree inception voltage increased with increase in filler loading upto a certain filler loadings (3 % by weight) and then decreased in its value at high filler loading. The morphology of polyethylene nanocomposites was studied and a good correlation between morphological changes and treeing results was observed. Effect of cross-linking on electrical treeing has also been studied and a better performance of cross-linking of nano-filled polyethylene samples as compared to the polyethylene samples without cross-linking was observed. The partial discharge (PD) activity during electrical tree growth was monitored and different PD characteristics for unfilled and nano-filled polyethylene samples were observed. Interestingly, a decrease in PD magnitude as well as the number of PD pulses with electrical tree growth in polyethylene nanocomposites was observed. It is known that PD activity depends on the tree channel conductivity, charge trapping and gas pressure inside the tree channel. The ingress of nano-particles into the tree channel influences the above known phenomena and affects the PD activity during electrical tree growth. The observed decrease in PD magnitude with increase in filler loading leads to the slow propagation of electrical trees in polyethylene nanocomposites. In summary, it can be concluded that polymer nanocomposites performed better against electrical treeing as compared to the unfilled and the conventional micron sized filled polymer composites. Even with low filler loading an improved electrical treeing resistance was observed in polymer nanocomposites. An optimum filler loading and a suitable filler to inhibit electrical treeing in the polymers studied are proposed. This work also establishes the fact that the characteristics of the interface region and the induced morphological changes have a strong influence on the electrical treeing behaviors of nanocomposites. These encouraging results showed that epoxy and polyethylene nanocomposites can be used as tree resistant insulating materials for high voltage applications. These results also contribute to widen the scope of applications of polymer nanocomposites in electrical power sector as well as development of multifunctional insulation systems.

This thesis deals with problems of electrical insulation materials based on epoxy composites used in the electronics industry. This thesis is divided into theoretical part focused on composite materials, their technological processing and diagnostics. It also describes dielectric materials, their properties and events taking place in their structure. The experimental section describes the measurement of electrical properties of samples of electrical insulating materials with different types of fillers.

The trend towards more and all-electric apparatuses and more electrification will lead to higher electrical demand. Increases in electrical power demand can be provided by either higher currents or higher voltages. Due to "weight" and "voltage" drop, a raise in the current is not preferred; so, "higher voltages" are being considered. Another trend is to reduce the size and weight of apparatuses. Combined, these two trends result in the high voltage, high power density concept. It is expected that by 2030, 80% of all electric power will flow through "power electronics systems". In regards to the high voltage, high power density concept described above, "wide bandgap (WBG) power modules" made from materials such as "SiC and GaN (and, soon, Ga2O3 and diamond)", which can endure "higher voltages" and "currents" rather than "Si-based modules", are considered to be the most promising solution to reducing the size and weight of "power conversion systems". In addition to the trend towards higher "blocking voltage", volume reduction has been targeted for WBG devices. The blocking voltage is the breakdown voltage capability of the device, and volume reduction translates into power density increase. This leads to extremely high electric field stress, E, of extremely nonuniform type within the module, leading to a higher possibility of "partial discharge (PD)" and, in turn, insulation degradation and, eventually, breakdown of the module. Unless the discussed high E issue is satisfactorily addressed and solved, realizing next-generation high power density WBG power modules that can properly operate will not be possible. Contributions and innovations of this Ph.D. work are as follows. i) Novel electric field grading techniques including (a) various geometrical techniques, (b) applying "nonlinear field-dependent conductivity (FDC) materials" to high E regions, and (c) combination of (a) and (b), are developed; ii) A criterion for the electric stress intensity based upon accurate dimensions of a power device package and its "PD measurement" is presented; iii) Guidelines for the electrical insulation design of next-generation high voltage (up to 30 kV), high power density "WBG power modules" as both the "one-minute insulation" and PD tests according to the standard IEC 61287-1 are introduced; iv) Influence of temperature up to 250°C and frequency up to 1 MHz on E distribution and electric field grading methods mentioned in i) is studied; and v) A coupled thermal and electrical (electrothermal) model is developed to obtain thermal distribution within the module precisely. All models and simulations are developed and carried out in COMSOL Multiphysics. / Doctor of Philosophy / In power engineering, power conversion term means converting electric energy from one form to another such as converting between AC and DC, changing the magnitude or frequency of AC or DC voltage or current, or some combination of these. The main components of a power electronic conversion system are power semiconductor devices acted as switches. A power module provides the physical containment and package for several power semiconductor devices. There is a trend towards the manufacturing of electrification apparatuses with higher power density, which means handling higher power per unit volume, leading to less weight and size of apparatuses for a given power. This is the case for power modules as well. Conventional "silicon (Si)-based semiconductor technology" cannot handle the power levels and switching frequencies required by "next-generation" utility applications. In this regard, "wide bandgap (WBG) semiconductor materials", such as "silicon carbide (SiC)"," gallium nitride (GaN)", and, soon, "gallium oxide" and "diamond" are capable of higher switching frequencies and higher voltages, while providing for lower switching losses, better thermal conductivities, and the ability to withstand higher operating temperatures. Regarding the high power density concept mentioned above, the challenge here, now and in the future, is to design compact WBG-based modules. To this end, the extremely nonuniform high electric field stress within the power module caused by the aforementioned trend and emerging WBG semiconductor switches should be graded and mitigated to prevent partial discharges that can eventually lead to breakdown of the module. In this Ph.D. work, new electric field grading methods including various geometrical techniques combined with applying nonlinear field-dependent conductivity (FDC) materials to high field regions are introduced and developed through simulation results obtained from the models developed in this thesis.