Temperature distribution analysis of gap type conductors and carbon fiber composite core conductors based on finite element

In order to investigate the internal temperature characteristics during the operation of gap-type extra-high-strength steel core heat-resistant aluminum alloy conductors and carbon fiber composite core flexible aluminum conductors, a finite element simulation model based on the thermal balance equation of conductors is constructed, taking the electromagnetic-flow-solid-heat multiphysics field coupling into consideration. The simulation results are in good agreement with the theoretical calculation results of the thermal balance equation. The results indicate that, under identical conditions, the average temperature, radial temperature difference, and maximum temperature of the carbon fiber composite core flexible aluminum conductor with equivalent specifications are all lower than those of the gap-type extra-high-strength steel core heat-resistant aluminum alloy conductor. Furthermore, due to the significantly smaller radial temperature difference of the air gap-type extra-high-strength steel core heat-resistant aluminum alloy conductor and the carbon fiber composite core flexible aluminum conductor compared to conventional steel core aluminum stranded conductors under the same conditions, the maximum temperatures of the gap-type extra-high-strength steel core heat-resistant aluminum alloy conductor and the carbon fiber composite core conductor are approximately 4% and 8% lower, respectively, under natural convection, and approximately 8% and 14% lower, respectively, under forced convection, compared to conventional steel core aluminum stranded conductors.