IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation

Vol. 16, No. 1; February 2009

147

Skin Effect and Dielectric Loss Models of Power Cables

Nadir Idir, Yannick Weens and Jean-Jacques Franchaud
L2EP (Laboratoire d'Electrotechnique et d'Electronique de Puissance) University of Sciences and Technology of Lille, Bt P2 F-59655 Villeneuve d'Ascq Cedex, France

ABSTRACT
In power electronics applications, power cables spread paths of conducted disturbances throughout the system. This paper proposes a high frequency modeling method for power cables that takes into account phenomena which appear when the switching frequency of the static converter increases, such as skin effects, proximity effects and dielectric losses. The proposed power cable models are obtained by the seriesassociation of n identical RLCG basic cells. The skin and proximity effects are represented as the impedance of an R-L ladder and the dielectric losses as the admittance of an R-C ladder. The proposed method was successfully applied to a threewire unshielded cable and extended to a four-wire shielded cable. Index Terms Power cables, skin effect, dielectric losses, multiconductor transmission lines, circuit, frequency domain analysis.

1 INTRODUCTION
THE use of high frequency switching power devices in static converters induces high voltage variations (dv/dt) that excite the parasitic elements of the circuit and induce high frequency parasitic currents. These currents are propagated through the system by the power cables [1- 4]. In order to study the influence of the characteristics of the power cables on the levels of these currents, it is necessary to use precise models of the power cables that take into account skin effects, proximity effects and dielectric losses which occur when using a distributed parameter model [5]. In the first section of this paper, the power cable model method will be described and applied to 3-wire unshielded and 4-wire shielded cables. The second section will present a validation of the obtained models in both the frequency and time domains.

that the use of 32 cells per meter length gave a good compromise between simulation duration and model accuracy. A preliminary study proved that the use of SPICE to model the transmission line does not give satisfactory results because it does not take into account the evolution of the cable parameters with frequency. In the following section, we will show that it is necessary to take into account the variation of the resistance with frequency (skin and proximity effects), and the variation of the conductance with frequency (dielectric losses). The cable parameters per unit length (R, L, C and G) will be obtained using three methods: analytical calculation, the finite-element method and measurement using an impedance bridge (HP4294A) [5]. The cable parameters will be determined within a frequency band varying from 100 kHz to 100 MHz.

2 MODELLING OF THE UNSHIELDED CABLE

The unshielded cable under study is composed of three conductors. The cross sectional area of each conductor is 2.5mm. The geometrical and physical parameters of the 3wire unshielded cable are shown in Figure 1. To model this cable, a distributed parameter circuit composed of cascaded basic cells was used. The elementary cell of this model is represented in Figure 2 [6]. A preliminary study showed
Manuscript received on 22 June 2008, in final form 24 September 2008. Figure 1. Geometrical and physical parameters of the unshielded cable.

1070-9878/09/$25.00 2009 IEEE

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The analytical formulas are as follows:

" 1 2 r1  r1  ...f
2

(1)

0 D 2 ln 2 2 r1
0 D 2 ln 2 2 r1
2 2 2 0 D 1 D 0  ln ln 2 2 r1 2 r1

(2)

Figure 2. Model of an unshielded 3-wire Cable.

(3)

C . 2 f . tan

(4)

(a) Short-circuit test

Length of the cable; Relative permittivity; U Resistivity of conductor material; V Conductivity of the conductor material; Pr Relative permeability; tan G Dissipation factor f Frequency

Hr

"

The cable parameters per unit length, obtained using the analytical calculations, are presented in Table 1. The second approach involved using the finite-element method. 2.2 FINITE ELEMENTS METHOD
(b) Open circuit test Figure 3. Measurement of the cable parameters with (a) the cable in the short circuit configuration and (b) the cable in the open circuit configuration

To measure the cable parameters, two test configurations are necessary: firstly, the cable is short-circuited to obtain R and L and then an open circuit is used to determine the parameters C and G, as shown in Figure 3. All the cable parameters were measured using a 1-meter cable sample. This is a reasonable length and yields a conductor resistance of the cable which is sufficiently greater than the connector contact resistance of the bridge analyzer. The cable parameters were determined using three methods. 2.1 ANALYTICAL CALCULATION This method is based on the determination of the equivalent inductance of the cable at low frequency. The conductor resistance takes into account the skin effect. The capacitances between conductors of the cable were determined using the expression of the electric field at one point and the difference between the potentials of all three wires, as detailed in references [7, 8].

The second method used to determine the cable parameters consists of using an electromagnetic solver tool. This method makes it possible to determine the inductance, resistance and capacitance between the power cable conductors. In this study, the finite element code "FEMM software" was used [9]. The cable parameters per unit length obtained using FEMM are presented in Table 1. These two methods make it possible to determine theoretically the parameters of the three-wire cable under study. The results obtained will be compared to the measured parameters. 2.3 EXPERIMENTAL METHOD In order to validate the results obtained with the two previous methods, we carried out a series of measurements using an impedance bridge (HP4294A) and a BALUN (a high-frequency transformer that converts the BALanced and UNbalanced electrical signals), as shown in Figure 4. The measurement error is given by the characteristics of the analyzer bridge. This error is not constant; it depends on the frequency and the value of the measured parameters [10].

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Table 1. Values of the calculated and measured parameters at 500 KHz Elements Methods Measurement FEMM Analyt. calculation Difference between (Measur. and Analyt. calc.) Difference between (Measur. and FEMM) 50.4 51.9 39.3 22% 288.6 268.1 286 0.8% 52.5 69.8 51.7 1.5% 7.6 7.5 1.3% R(m:/m) L(nH/m) C(pF/m) G(S/m)

3%

7.2%

33%

Figure 4. Experimental setup (Impedance Bridge + specific connectors).

The calculated and measured values of the cable parameters are presented in Table 1. A slight difference can be noted between these values, which were recorded at a frequency of 500 kHz. This corresponds to the parameters of the cable at low frequency. The results presented in Table 1 show that the analytical method does not allow the calculation of the conductor resistance value with acceptable accuracy because the formula used does not take into account the proximity effect between conductors (only the skin effect was considered). However, the other parameters are calculated with good accuracy. On the other hand, the finite element method (FEMM) gives good precision with respect to the value of the resistance but the errors are more significant for the other parameters. This study shows that the determination of the capacitance value using FEMM is very sensitive to the geometrical and physical characteristics of the cable. Thus, a low error for the dielectric dimensions induces a significant variation of the value of the cable capacitance. The simulation was carried out using various numbers of the elementary cells, with the parameters measured at 500 kHz (Table 1). The error between simulation and measurement results for the first resonance frequency of the cable impedance is presented in Figure 5. These results show that for 32 elementary cells (for 1-meter cable length) the error was equal to 1.1 %. This study proved that the choice of the number of cells used to simulate a cable depends on the length of the cable, the frequency band considered and accuracy of the resonance frequencies. The cable impedances in the short-circuit and open circuit tests are shown in Figure 6. The comparison of the simulation and the experimental results shows a significant difference between the resonance frequencies and the impedance values at these frequencies. To improve this model, it is necessary to take into account the evolution of the cable parameters as the frequency increases, due to skin effects, proximity effects and the dielectric losses in the cable. In the following section, we will present a modeling method for these phenomena.
6

Figure 5. Evolution of the error of the first resonance frequency for a 1 m long cable.

Figure 6. Evolution of the cable impedance for the 1 m long cable.

2.1 MODELING SKIN AND PROXIMITY EFFECTS There are various methods available to model the skin and proximity effects in the cable [11]. In the present study, an R-L ladder circuit was used to model the evolution of the resistance and the inductance (including mutual inductance between conductors) with the frequency (Figure 7a). The various values of the R-L circuit elements were obtained by using a mathematical solver tool (APLAC software [12]). Figure 7b represents the FEMM and the simulation results. A comparison between these results and those calculated with the FEMM software shows good agreement.

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(a) R-L Ladder networks

(b) Experimental and simulation results for R-C network Figure 8. Evolution of the cable conductance according to the frequency (measurement and R-C circuit simulation)

Measurement of the capacitance between the conductors of this cable shows that this value remains constant, independent of frequency. In the proposed model of the unshielded energy cable, the capacitance between wires will be modeled using a fixed value. 2.4 VALIDATION OF THE MODEL The elementary cell of the three-wire unshielded cable, taking into account the skin and proximity effects and the dielectric losses, is represented in Figure 9. This model will be validated in the frequency and time domains. 2.4.1 FREQUENCY DOMAIN The simulation results for a 1-meter cable length, in open circuit and short-circuit configurations, compared to the experimental measurements, are shown in Figure 10. These results show good agreement between simulation and measurement in open circuit tests. However, we note a slight shift of the resonance frequency in the short-circuit test. In order to validate the cable model, tests were carried out using a 12-meter cable length. Figure 11 shows the simulation and experimental results for the impedance of this cable in short-circuit and open circuit configurations. These results show good agreement for the resonance frequency values, but slight differences in the impedance values at these frequencies between the simulation and measurement results. In the following section, the cable model will be validated in the time domain.

(b)

FEMM and simulation results

Figure 7. Evolution of the cable resistance and inductance according to the frequency (FEMM and R-L circuit simulation).

2.2 MODELING DIELECTRIC LOSSES. Generally, when modeling transmission lines (signal cables), the conductance is neglected. In the case of the power cables, it is necessary to take into account the conductance and its evolution according to the frequency [13]. To model the evolution of the conductance according to the frequency (dielectric losses), an R-C ladder circuit, as shown in Figure 8a, was used. The various values of this circuit were obtained by using APLAC software. Figure 8b represents the evolution of the conductance according to the frequency of the ladder circuit. A comparison of the model simulation results with the measured data shows good agreement.

(a) Ladder RC network.

Figure 9. Basic cell of the 3-wire unshielded cable model.

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These elements were measured using the impedance bridge. The high frequency model of the motor (1.5 kW asynchronous motor) proposed in a previous study was used [14]. The converter was supplied through the LISN (Line Impedance Stabilization Network), which is required by standard EMI measurements to obtain correct and reproducible results. In the following section, only the transition from the diode to MOSFET will be presented. Comparisons of the measured and simulated current waveforms at the input side of the cable, and in the ground wire, are shown in Figure 13. These waveforms show good agreement between simulation results and measurement data. However, a slight delay can be noted for the currents I2 and I3.
Figure 10. Evolution of the cable impedance for the 1 m long cable.

(a) Current (I1) at the input side of the cable Figure 11. Evolution of the cable impedance of the 12 m long cable.

2.4.2 TIME DOMAIN To validate the unshielded cable model in the time domain, the experimental set-up shown in Figure 12 was used. This comprised a buck converter supplying a 3-phase AC motor (between 2 phases) through an unshielded 3-wire power cable. The goal was to measure the voltage and current waveforms at the input and output side of the power cable when transistor switching occurred. These were then compared with the simulation results obtained by cascading the models of the converter, cable and motor. The power converter was modeled using SPICE models of the MOSFET and diode. To complete the converter high frequency model, various parasitical elements of the power circuit connections and the DC bus filter capacitor were introduced.

(b) Current (I2) in the ground wire

(c) Current (I3) in the ground wire Figure 12. Experimental set up used to validate the unshielded 3-wire cable. Figure 13. Cable currents (a) in the input side and (b) at the output side.

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In the following section, the proposed modeling method for the unshielded cable will be applied to a four-wire shielded cable.

3 MODELING OF THE SHIELDED CABLE

The power cable method was applied to a shielded cable that was composed of 4 conductors. The cross sectional area of each conductor was equal to 1.5mm. These conductors were coated with PVC and a shield made from the same material as the conductors was placed around the wires. The unit was surrounded by a PVC sheath as shown in Figure 14. The proposed elementary cell of the shielded 4-wire cable model, represented in Figure 15, was formed by: - Serial impedances Zs that represent the resistance Rs and the inductance Ls of each conductor, - Parallel impedances Zi that represent the capacitance Ci and conductance Gi between two conductors, - Conductor-shield impedances Zb that represent the capacitance Cb and the conductance Gb between each conductor and the shield. The shield is assumed to be an ideal conductor [8]. Measurement of the shielded cable parameters showed that it was necessary to add a coupling coefficient K between each pair of conductors [14]. The various shielded cable parameters of the model (Rs, Ls, K, Ci, Gi, Cb, Gb) were measured in a frequency band varying from 100 KHz to 40 MHz.

In each case, the cable was tested in a short circuit configuration and an open circuit configuration. As was the case for the modeling of the unshielded cable, three methods were used to determine the 4-wire shielded cable parameters. As regards the validity of each method, comparing the results obtained in each case yielded the same conclusion as for the unshielded cable. Simulation of the shielded cable using the parameters measured at 500 kHz did not give satisfactory results, as a comparison of the simulation results and the experimental results showed a difference between the resonance frequencies and the impedance values at these frequencies. It is necessary to take into account the variation of the cable parameters with the frequency. As for the unshielded cable model, the evolution of the shielded cable parameters was modeled using the R-L and R-C ladder networks. Concerning the number of elementary cells used to model the shielded cable, a preliminary study showed that, for a 1 m cable length, 6 cells gave a satisfactory compromise between simulation duration and model accuracy.

(a) Common Mode configuration

Figure 14. Geometrical and physical parameters of the shielded cable.

(b) Differential Mode configuration Figure 16. Shielded cable test configurations.

4 VALIDATION OF THE MODEL

The simulation results for a 5 m long cable are compared with the experimental measurements in open and short circuit configurations in Figure 17. These results show good agreement between the measured and simulation results for the cable impedance in the common mode configuration. However, the difference is greater for the differential mode configuration, which may be due to the geometrical dissymmetry of the shielded 4-wire cable. Indeed, the proposed model of the shielded 4-wire cable is symmetrical. It does not take into account the difference between the parallel impedances which appear between crossing conductors and adjacent conductors, caused by the geometrical dissymmetry of the shielded 4-wire cable.

Figure 15. Basic cell of the 4-wire shielded cable model.

In the case of the shielded cables, it is necessary to carry out two tests: the first in common mode configuration and the second in differential mode configuration, as shown in Figure 16.

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Vol. 16, No. 1; February 2009

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Figure 19 shows voltage waveforms (measurement and simulation results) at the input and the output sides of the shielded cable. Thus, in Figure 19b, the appearance of an over-voltage at the motor terminals can be noted.

(a) Common Mode test

(a) Voltage waveform across switch S5 at turn-off

(b) Differential Mode test Figure 17. Shielded cable impedances in short and open circuit tests.

To validate the cable model in the time domain, an adjustable speed drive system was used. The system was built from a 3-phase IGBT inverter, operating at a 20 kHz switching frequency, where a 1.5 kW asynchronous motor was fed through a 5-meter shielded 4-wire cable. The inverter was supplied through a LISN and 1 meter of the unshielded 3-wire cable, as shown in Figure 18. To simulate the adjustable speed drive, high frequency models, proposed in a previous study, were used [14].

(b) Voltage at the motor terminals Figure 19. Phase-to-phase cable voltages.

The currents in phase 2, as shown in Figure 20a, correspond to the differential mode and common mode. The motor ground current (common mode) is shown in Figure 20b. A comparison with experimental data shows good agreement.

Figure 18. Experimental set up used to validate the shielded cable model.

(a) Current in phase 2 of the cable

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[5] Y. Weens, N. Idir, R. Bausire and J. J. Franchaud, Modeling and simulation of unshielded and shielded energy cables in frequency and time domains, IEEE Trans. Magnetics, Vol. 42, pp. 1876 1882, 2006. T. Dhaene and D. De Zutter, Selection of lumped element models for coupled lossy transmission lines, IEEE Trans. Computer-aided Design, Vol. 11, pp. 805815, 1992. D.A. Weston, Electromagnetic CompatibilityPrinciples and Applications, Edition Marcel Dekker, New York, Ch.4, 2001. C.R. Paul, Analysis of Multiconductor Transmission Lines, WileyInterscience Publication, Edition John Wiley and Sons, 1994, Ch.4. FEMM users manual, Finite Element Method Magnetics, Version 4.2, 2008. Users manual, Impedance Bridge - HP4294A, Agilent, 2005. B.K. Sen and R. L. Wheeler, Skin effects models for transmission line structures using generic spice circuit simulators, IEEE 7th topical Meeting on Electrical Performance of Electronic Packaging, pp. 128131, 1998. APLAC users manual, Circuit Simulation and Design Tool, 2007. A. A. Shayegani Akmal, H. Borsi and E. Gockenbach, Dielectric behaviour of insulating liquids at very low frequency, IEEE Trans. Dielectr. Electr. Insul., Vol. 13, pp. 532538, 2006. Y. Weens, N. Idir, J.J. Franchaud and R. Bausire, High Frequency Modeling of the Adjustable Speed Drive, Proc. 12th Intern. Power Electronics and Motion Control Conference, pp. 456-461, 2006.

[6]

[7] [8] [9] [10] [11] (b) Current in motor ground wire Figure 20. Current waveforms (a) in phase 2, (b) of the common mode. [12] [13]

5 CONCLUSION
To identify and analyze by simulation the propagation of high frequency current pulses induced by the commutation of power devices in energy conversion systems, this paper proposes unshielded and shielded power cable models. High frequency power cable models using distributed circuits were presented. The proposed models take into account the evolution of the resistance (skin and proximity effects) and the conductance (dielectric losses) with the frequency. This modeling method was applied to a three-wire unshielded power cable and a four-wire shielded power cable. These models were validated for different cable lengths in both the frequency and time domains. These models can thus be used to test various solutions, making it possible to reduce output overvoltages at the motor terminals. They can also be used to study the propagation of high frequency current pulses in the power network. The variation of the electrical parameters of the power cable can also be used as a means of evaluating the aging of power cables.
[14]

Nadir Idir (M'93) received the Ph.D. degree from the University of Lille in 1993. Since 1994, he has been an associate Professor at the University of Lille. He works in the Electrical and power electronics Laboratory of Lille (L2EP). His main research interests are power electronics, power cables, EMC.

Yannick Weens received the Dipl-Eng. degree in power electronics from Ecole Polytechnique of Lille in 2003 and the Ph.D. degree from the University of Lille in 2007. His main research interest is power electronics.

REFERENCES
[1] S. A. Pignari and A. Orlandi, Long-cable effects on conducted emissions levels, IEEE Trans. ElectroMagnetic Compatibility, Vol. 45, pp. 4354, 2003. A. F. Moreira, P. M. Santos, T. A. Lipo, and G. Venkataramanan, Filter networks for long cable drives and their influence on motor voltage distribution and common-mode currents, IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron., Vol. 52, pp. 515522, 2005. R. J. Kerkman, D. Leggate, and G. L. Skibinsky, Interaction of drive modulation and cable parameters on AC motor transients, IEEE Trans. Ind. Appl, Vol. 33, pp. 722731, 1997. G. Skybinski, R. Tallam, R. Reese, B. Buchholz, and R. Lukaszewski, Common mode and differential mode analysis of three phase cables for PWM AC drives, Proc. IEEE IAS, pp. 880 888, 2006.

Jean Jacques Franchaud is currently a Research Engineer at the University of Lille in the Electrical and power electronics Laboratory of Lille (L2EP). His research interests include power electronics and EMC.

[2]

[3]

[4]