The course provides a general and comprehensive treatment of the certain high voltage components, with regard to design, material usage and stresses experienced in service. In a professional context such knowledge is important for both equipment manufacturers and electric utilities.

The electric power system of a country typically comprises tens of thousands of switchgears and power transformers, as well as thousands of kilometres of power cables. Managing such large assets in a good manner requires knowledge about the behaviour and working principles of the individual components.

Presently, there are a couple of very competitive manufacturers of high voltage components in Norway. ABB in Skien manufactures 12, 24 and 36 kV switchgear for the world market, and Nexans in Halden is a leading international player in the field of subsea cables. Both these companies are continuously developing and improving their products to meet the requirements of their customers worldwide.

The oil and gas industry has an increasing need for personnel with qualifications in electric power engineering. The development of ever more complex subsea production and transport systems is to a large extent based on high voltage equipment suited for greater depths and higher ratings and increasing reliability.

A two day excursion to Norwegian manufacturing plants for power cables, transformers, and switchgears is arranged as a part of the course. Included in this tour are also visits to a high power laboratory and a major Statnett substation.

“High Voltage Equipment” is a component and technology oriented course. To a certain extent it is a continuation of the material technology treated in TET 4160 ”Insulating Materials for High Voltage Applications” and the of voltage transients dealt with in TET 4130 ”Overvoltages and Overvoltage Protection” and TET4200 TET4200 Maritime and offshore power systems

In addition a specialization courses: ELK30 Condition Assessment of High Voltage Components, consider related subjects. These five courses combined give a comprehensive introduction to high voltage technology and engineering.

The course aims at giving a comprehensive knowledge about design and operation of high voltage switchgear, transformers and cables.

Grounding

TET 4160 ”Insulating Materials for High Voltage Applications” is recommended.

Content

The course consists of three parts.

Part I: Power Transformers (approx. 12 hrs)

Power transformer insulation systems, dielectric stresses during transients, thermal conditions, protection, properties with different vector groups, test standards.

Part II. Current interruption (approx. 32 hrs)

Switchgear tasks and functions: The interruption process, re-strikes, recovery voltage, terminal fault and short line fault interruption, the principle of current injection, interruption of capacitive and inductive loads, direct current interruption.

Electric arcs: Static and dynamic arc, electrical and thermal conductivity, arc temperature, ionisation processes, dissociation, current chopping, arc-system interaction.

Switchgear technology: Arc quenching media, minimum oil breakers, SF6 breakers, the puffer principle, vacuum interrupters, fuses, electrical contacts, air and gas insulated substations.

Part III. Cable technology (approx. 12 hrs)

Power cable design and construction, material usage for underground and subsea applications, accessories, electrical rating, mechanical design, corrosion and other aging mechanisms.