PCIM 2025 - BEST PAPER AWARD
Improved Insulation Design of Medium-Frequency Transformers Using a Semiconductive Coil Former
This paper proposes using semiconductive materials in the manufacturing of the medium voltage (MV) coil former for medium-frequency transformers.
By employing these materials, the common-mode (CM) component of the electric field – introduced by the series connection of converter modules on the MV side – can be effectively shielded, enabling a significantly simplified insulation design. The proposed concept is validated through FEM simulation and partial discharge (PD) tests. Experimental results confirm that the semiconductive coil former is PD-free, enabling a design supporting CM voltage levels more than 10 % higher than conventional coil formers. The breakdown voltage can be accurately predicted (<5 design.
The provider of this whitepaper
Download free whitepaper