Development of Y‐branch joint for 275‐kV XLPE and fluid‐filled cable

When a new UHV substation is built in an urban region, generally, an existing underground transmission line will be diverted and drawn into the new substation. Compared with the latter construction method, enormous cost reduction of switching facilities and cable construction is expected when applying a Y‐branch joint (YJ) which is able to serve as a three‐way joint. The YJ has already been applied for 154‐kV‐class circuit, but it has not been investigated for 275‐kV‐class circuit. Since both XLPE and oil‐filled cable are presently used in 275‐kV‐class underground cable line, a universal design YJ for both cables has been investigated. The YJ was applied in a compact design which was based on our sophisticated electrical stress control technology for 500‐kV prefabricated‐type joint. Furthermore, the design was based on its prefabricated assembling technology. The YJ was verified as to its electrical and mechanical performance as 275‐kV cable joint by completion of its assembling test and a long‐term electrical test. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 164(2): 18–24, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20514