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High Voltage Engineering
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:35:25
Abstract
High electric fields are used in numerous technological and industrial applications such as electric power transmission and distribution, X-ray devices, DNA sequencers, flue gas cleaning, power electronics, lasers, particle accelerators, copying machines, .... High Voltage Engineering is the art of gaining technological control of high electrical field strengths and high voltages.
Objective
The students know the fundamental phenomena and principles associated with the occurrence of high electric field strengths. They understand the different mechanisms leading to the failure of insulation systems and are able to apply failure criteria on the dimensioning of high voltage components. They have the ability to identify of weak spots in insulation systems and to propose options for improvement. Further, they know the different insulation systems and their dimensioning in practice.
Content
- discussion of the field equations relevant for high voltage engineering. - analytical and numerical solutions/solving of this equations, as well as the derivation of the important equivalent circuits for the description of the fields and losses in insulations - introduction to kinetic gas theory - mechanisms of the breakdown in gaseous, liquid and solid insulations, as well as insulation systems - methods for the mathematical determination of the electric withstand of gaseous, liquid and solid insulations - application of the expertise on high voltage components - excursions to manufacturers of high voltage components
Resources
Lecture Notes
Handouts
Literature
A. Küchler, High Voltage Engineering: Fundamentals – Technology – Applications, Springer Berlin, 2018 (ISBN 978-3-642-11992-7)
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- session examination
- Mode
- oral 30 minutes
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise | High Voltage Engineering |
|
4 h weekly |
Offered In
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Energy and Power Electronics (The core courses and specialisation courses below are a selection for students who wish to specialise in the area of "Energy and Power Electronics", see . The individual study plan is subject to the tutor's approval.)
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Core Courses (These core courses are particularly recommended for the field of "Energy and Power Electronics". You may choose core courses form other fields in agreement with your tutor. A minimum of 24 credits must be obtained from core courses during the MSc EEIT.)
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Advanced Core Courses (Advanced core courses bring students to gain in-depth knowledge of the chosen specialization. They are MSc level only.)
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Major Courses (A total of 42 CP must be achieved during the Master Programme. The individual study plan is subject to the tutor's approval.)
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Core Subjects (These core subjects are particularly recommended for the field of "Energy and Power Electronics".)
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Electives (These courses are particularly recommended, other ETH-courses from the field of Energy Science and Technology at large may be chosen in accordance with your tutor.)
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