Research focus of the Chair in the area of High Voltage and High Current Engineering

Fundamental Research

• Investigations of insulation materials and systems under impulse voltage, harmonic voltage, and direct voltage stress
• Development of test and measuring techniques and technologies for high-voltage engineering
• Statistical evaluation of physical processes in insulation materials
• Determining the electrical field strength under the influence of space charges (e.g. in transformer insulation under HVDC stress)
• Investigations of partial discharges and partial discharge models under distorted voltages

Applied Research

• Measuring the dielectric properties (breakdown field strength, conductivity, permittivity, loss tangent,…) of insulation materials
• Measuring of partial discharges under direct and alternating voltages (e.g. on gas-insulated switchgear and cables)
• Investigating the lifetime of insulation systems for rotating electrical machines
• Drilling hard layers of rock by using impulse voltages
• Influence of high frequencies and steep voltage rise times on the insulation systems of electrical machines (e.g. main and turn insulation, corona protection)

• Experimental investigations of the current carrying capacity and heating of electrical equipment in high-, medium- and low-voltage technologies
• Thermal behavior calculations of electrical power engineering equipment using the heat network method
• Fundamental investigations on heat transfer in gases and liquids
• Calculations of heat transfer by convection in gases and liquids using CFD
• Experimental investigations on current distribution in multi-conductor arrangements
• Calculations of the current distribution in multi-conductor arrangements in AC and three-phase systems, taking into account the proximity and skin effect

• Investigations on ageing of static electrical connections in electrical power engineering for 40 years
• Determining the limit temperature of electrical contacts and connections with coated and uncoated conductors
• Operational and long-term behavior of plug connections with spring elements (e.g. contact blades or coil springs) in high-current applications
• Electrical property profiles of formed joints (e.g. clinch point, self-pierce rivet, hybrid joints)
• Investigation of fittings for high-temperature overhead line cables
• Long-term behavior of full-range fuses at elevated ambient temperatures
• Long-term behavior of new connection systems and connection methods
• Determining the physical mechanisms of ageing through force reduction, interdiffusion, frictional wear, electromigration and chemical reactions
• Modeling and calculating ageing
• Further development of electrical ageing test procedures in standards