Mathematical formulation of 2D and 3D finite and boundary element model for transient electric fields in high performance capacitors

Capacitors and their pulse-forming networks deliver very high currents in the millisecond time frame to electromagnetic and electrothermal chemical guns. The authors outline the principles of 2-D and 3-D finite and boundary element method codes for calculating electric field strength distribution in high-voltage capacitor insulation systems in arrangements with complex boundaries. A very accurate representation of the space distribution of electric fields, varying in time during the discharge as the combined effect of the circuit parameters, modulated by diffusion and time-changing parameters as properties of the dielectric materials, corona effects, and accelerated aging, can be the basis for a global performance criterion for the system. This criterion should be large enough to represent the complexity of the phenomena in heavy-duty capacitors but still simple enough to be meaningful