The module aims to provide students with:
knowledge of the role and importance of high voltage engineering and insulation in power delivery systems;
a clear understanding of the underlying theories and principles in relation to network transients, insulation degradation and operation of modern advanced  electrical apparatus;
opportunities to develop subject specific and transferrable skills in deriving technical solutions in response to system requirements and safety risks;
appreciation of practically important issues in executing industrial projects and the latest research development in relation to modelling and experiment of gas discharges.

(LO1) On successful completion of the module, students are expected to:

have knowledge of the history of high voltage engineering and its current development trend, especially high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems.

(LO2) understand the objectives of insulation design and high voltages testing.

(LO3) have in-depth knowledge in electrical discharge mechanisms and breakdown in gases and solid materials including air, SF6 and polymer materials.

(LO4) be familiar with high voltage testing systems including high voltage generation circuits and test systems, measurement of voltage and current.

(LO5) gain knowledge and understanding of the operation principles of modern electrical apparatuses including circuit breakers, insulators, transformers, surge arrestors, etc and develop skills for the design of test systems and test strategy for these apparatuses.

(LO6) understand the technical challenge associated with insulation behaviour of polymer material under HVDC stress.

(S1) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Academic writing (inc. referencing skills)

(S2) Numeracy/computational skills - Problem solving

(S3) Numeracy/computational skills - Numerical methods

(S4) Estimation of fault current levels for a given circuit configuration.

(S5) Determination of number of outdoor insulators for a given voltage level and technical specification of insulator.

(S6) Estimation of the design parameters of high voltage generators for a given specification.

(S7) Ability to analyse test results of electrical apparatus and detemine if a test on an apparatus is successful.

Part I: Introduction to high voltage engineering (3 hours)
history and development of high voltage engineering;
transmission and distribution systems and the role of insulation in the operation of network;
operational voltage levels;
the concept of electrical discharge and breakdown;
the need for high voltage testing and insulation coordination.

Part II: Electrical discharges and breakdown phenomena (4 hours)
structure of atoms and molecules;
different discharge regimes;
acceleration of free charged particles in electric field;
cross sections and mean free path;
ionisation by different mechanisms;
sustained discharge;
corona and partial discharge;
streamers and leaders;
breakdown in gases, liquids and solid.

Part III: Network fault and over voltages in network (4 hours)
types of network fault including active and passive faults, solid and incipient faults, transient and permanent faults;
over v oltages in network and their causes;
power frequency and harmonics, characteristics of switching and lightning over voltages;
estimation of fault current levels.

Part IV: High voltage testing techniques (4 hours)
high voltage generator circuits;
testing methods and procedure;
non-destructive insulation test techniques;
measurement of voltage and current.

Part V:
Electrical apparatus (10 hours)
Electrical apparatus and their operation principles including switchgear, transformers, surge arresters, insulators and fuses;
key issues and operational evidence of insulation degradation; calculation of electric field in and around insulation materials.

Part VI:
Insulation coordination (3 hours)
Insulation coordination;
insulation levels;
design and testing of external insulation;
contamination and the environment.

Teaching Method 1 - Lecture. Due to Covid-19, one or more of the following delivery methods will be implemented based on the current local conditions and the situation of registered students.
(a) Hybrid delivery, with social distancing on Campus
Teaching Method A - on-line asynchronous lectures
Description: Lectures to explain the material
Attendance Recorded: No
Notes: On average two lectures per week

Teaching Method B - Synchronous face to face tutorials
Description: Tutorials on the Assignments, Problem Sheets, or questions and answers
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: On average one session per fortnight

(b) Fully on-line delivery and assessment
Teaching Method A - On-line asynchronous lectures
Description: Lectures to explain the material
Attendance Recorded: No
Notes: On average two lectures per week

Teaching Method B - On-line synchronous tutorials
D escription: Tutorials on the Assignments, Problem Sheets, or questions and answers
Attendance Recorded: No
Notes: On average one session per fortnight

(c) Standard on-campus delivery with minimal social distancing
Teaching Method A - Lectures
Description: Lectures to explain the material
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: On average two lectures per week

Teaching Method B - Tutorial
Description: Tutorials on the Assignments, Problem Sheets or questions and answers
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: On average one session per fortnight

Teaching Method 2 - Field Work
Attendance Recorded: Not decided
Notes: Field visit to a substation or virtual visits to substations.