Analysis of electric field of a 220 kV overhead line by means of finite element method (FEM)

In the course of a scientific study, the electric field of a 220 kV overhead line was analysed using the finite element method (FEM). The aim of the study was to compare the field characteristics between two different tower configurations that differ in terms of geometry, conductor cables, phase arrangements, insulators and armatures. With the towers modelled in detail in CAD in three dimensions, an electrostatic model was created in the FEM programme Ansys Maxwell 3D. Of particular interest was the field curve (maximum value in the time domain) in the area of the insulators, i.e. between the conductor cables and the arms. It is noteworthy that the choice of phase arrangement and the position on the tower had hardly any effect on the magnitudes of the field curves in this area.