Course syllabus for Electrical insulation: Fundamentals and testing

Course syllabus adopted 2026-02-04 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameElektrisk isolering: principer och provning
  • CodeMTT036
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerMPEPO
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • Main field of studyElectrical Engineering
  • DepartmentELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 21136
  • Maximum participants70 (at least 10% of the seats are reserved for exchange students)
  • Open for exchange studentsYes

Credit distribution

0126 Examination 7.5 c
Grading: TH		 7.5 c

In programmes

Examiner

Eligibility

General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements

Specific entry requirements

English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements

Course specific prerequisites

Course specific prerequisites for MPEPO in the Admission Regulations.
Recommeded prerequisite: Electromagnetic field theory.

Aim

This course provides a structured introduction to electrical insulation in modern power and electrification systems, developing fundamental understanding of electric fields, insulation behaviour, breakdown mechanisms, and standard high voltage test methods, combined with practical laboratory experience. It introduces insulation requirements and system-level challenges for key applications such as power cables, transformers, electric vehicles, power electronics, and energy-storage systems, while addressing sustainability and environmental considerations. The course builds the theoretical and practical foundation for advanced studies and prepares students for engineering roles involving electrical testing, insulation design, and system-level insulation assessment.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

  • Explain basic electric-field concepts, implications of material permittivity and insulation systems.
  • Perform analytical electric-field calculations in simple geometries (parallel plate, coaxial, spherical).
  • Identify geometrical features causing field enhancement and propose simple engineering measures for field control.
  • Describe electron avalanches, Townsend breakdown, Paschen’s law and basic voltage–time characteristics for gaseous insulation.
  • Explain at an introductory level how breakdown mechanisms differ in gases, liquids and solids.
  • Assess the influence of pressure, humidity, contamination and temperature on insulation performance.
  • Apply basic insulation-coordination principles, including withstand concepts and simple overvoltage cases.
  • Explain the fundamentals of lightning impulses and simple travelling-wave behaviour.
  • Describe the purpose and basic operation of surge arresters in limiting overvoltages.
  • Identify major insulation components in cables, transformers, switchgear, overhead lines, emerging electrification systems, and the basic insulation functions within digital substations (IEDs, sensors and communication interfaces).
  • Select appropriate high-voltage test equipment for AC, DC and impulse testing.
  • Safely operate basic high-voltage laboratory setups and follow established HV testing procedures for AC, DC and impulse test.
  • Evaluate simple withstand and breakdown test results, including statistical tools such as (U₅₀%), standard deviation, simple probability plotting and basic atmospheric corrections.
  • Apply basic IEC principles for low-voltage insulation coordination—clearances, creepage and solid insulation—and use them to support simple insulation design tasks for applications such as EV battery modules, motors, and power-electronics converters.
  • Describe current trends in insulation technologies, including safety and environmental considerations such as SF₆-free alternatives.

Content

The course is organized into five modules that introduce the fundamental principles of electrical insulation, basic breakdown mechanisms, electrical insulation testing methods and introductory insulation-coordination concepts. Emphasis is placed on analytical understanding, practical laboratory exercises and system-level awareness of insulation requirements in modern power and electrification applications.

Key Topics Covered in Lectures and Tutorials:

A. Fundamental of Electric Field Theory & Dielectrics
  • Electric field, potential, permittivity and dielectric properties
  • Boundary conditions and field distribution in simple geometries
  • Analytical field calculations (parallel-plate, coaxial and spherical systems)
  • Geometry-dependent field enhancement and basic field-control methods
  • Introductory dimensioning of dielectric stresses in engineering applications
B. Basics of Breakdown & Dielectric Behavior
  • Electron avalanches, Townsend breakdown and Paschen’s law
  • Qualitative voltage–time characteristics and time-lag concepts
  • Introductory overview of breakdown mechanisms in liquids and solids
  • Concept of defects and partial discharges in insulation systems
  • Influence of environmental parameters such as pressure, humidity and temperature
C. Electrical Testing & Measurement
  • HV sources: transformers, rectifiers and impulse generators
  • Measurement fundamentals: sphere gaps, resistive and capacitive dividers, shunts
  • Standard AC, DC and impulse withstand and breakdown tests
  • Basic partial-discharge test procedures
  • Introductory statistical evaluation of test results (U₅₀%, σ, probability plotting, atmospheric corrections)
  • High-voltage laboratory safety and safe operation of test setups
D. Basic Insulation Coordination and Overvoltages
  • Withstand levels, clearances, creepage and safety margins
  • Fundamentals of lightning impulses and simple travelling-wave behaviour
  • Wave impedance, reflections and surge propagation in cables and overhead lines
  • Basics of surge arresters in limiting overvoltages
  • Introductory examples of insulation coordination in power components
E. Insulation in Power Systems, Electrification Technologies and Digital Substations
  • Insulation requirements of overhead lines, cables, transformers and switchgear
  • Basic insulation considerations in EV battery systems, motors and power-electronics converters
  • Conceptual understanding of insulation functions in digital substations, including IEDs, sensors and communication interfaces
  • Environmental and sustainability aspects considerations
Laboratory Experiments:

Two compulsory experiment demonstrations are included:
  1. “Lightning impulse testing” – Exploring the impulse generator, high voltage measurement techniques, and the evaluation of impulse tests.
  2. “Overvoltages in cables” – Studying wave impedances, surge arrester effects, and measurements of impulse voltages and currents.
Students are required to prepare in groups before each experiment by reviewing, discussing, and summarizing the laboratory topics, and by completing the assigned preparatory tasks. A preparation check is conducted at the start of the lab, and the group is jointly responsible for meeting the preparation requirements. Detailed instructions are provided by the lab tutors and in the Lab PM.

Organisation

The course comprises of ca 22 lectures, ca 18 tutorials, 2 laboratory exercises.

Literature

Andreas Küchler, High Voltage Engineering, Fundamentals - Technology - Applications. ISBN 978-3-642-11992-7 or ISBN 978-3-642-11993-4 (e-book)

Examination including compulsory elements

Approved two laboratory exercises.
Written examination. Grades: Fail, 3, 4 or 5.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers about disability study support.