Capacitance calculations for some basic high voltage electrode configurations

Abstract

Calculation of the capacitance to ground, as well as of the capacitance between objects of various shapes is a problem occurring frequently in high voltage engineering. Simple methods do not exist, however, for such calculations even in the case of some basic electrode configurations. Although general purpose computer programs may have been developed for most of the configurations, their availability is rather limited, and the data preparation often cumbersome. Accurate computer calculations of the capacitance to ground have been made for a large number of electrode configurations. The results are presented graphically in a normalized form, and should permit a rapid and precise determination of capacitances for most practical electrode arrangements. Furthermore, some simple equations have been developed which permit an approximate, but often sufficiently accurate, evaluation of the capacitances by hand calculations. It is believed that both the accurate graphs and the simple equations would be of great practical value, especially to high voltage engineers.