Technical Seminar - 5th March 2025

On the 5th March 2025 we welcomed over 20 external guests to aHV. Drawn from companies mainly across the automotive and materials sectors, they listened to a range of presentations from aHV staff members and invited guests. The information below is a summary of the content that was covered on the day. We were fortunate to have a great day of discussion with all of those working in the area of high voltage.
Welcome & Introduction: Our day started with a brief introduction from the managing director of aHV, David Chambers. David spoke of the origin story of how aHV came to be, the key areas we can help in the design, development and manufacturing step, and the purpose of the day.  All links to the portal section QR codes and agenda of the day are given in this presentation.
Partial Discharge - Sizing Insulation and Testing: The first technical presentation  discussed the phenomena of partial discharge as per IEC 60270, and testing with AC waveforms as well as transient waveforms. Richard explored topics into online PD measurements, the challenges they present, and the solutions to those challenges for robust testing. 
PEEK - Opportunities in Electric Transport by Colin Rimmer from Victrex: The first industrial presentation of the day discussed the use of PEEK material in e-mobility and e-motor solutions.  Colin mentioned specific efficiency, reliability, and design freedom offered by Victrex wiring types and slot liner insulation types.
Clearance & Creepage Distances - Is IEC 60664-1 Sufficient by Hasti Jahangiri: Our first presentation from Ian Cotton and Hasti Jahangiri of aHV. We discussed the adequacy of IEC 60664-1 in respect of defining clearance and creepage distances. We also highlighted the work that we are doing to understand more about the likelihood of failure of creepage distances in polluted conditions. 
Partial Discharge Resistance - Lifetime Under PD and Impact of Ceramic Coatings: In this presentation, Scott from aHV and David Hall from the University of Manchester discuss how lifetime varies for thin film materials, and how aerosol deposition of ceramic coatings improves the PD resistance of such films. Information was given on endurance test results. David Hall presented his dry, ambient temperature technique that can coat consistent ceramic coatings.
Extruded Magnet Wires as a Superior Tech for HV Motors, Wouter Vandenbroucke from Bekaert: In the second industrial presentation, Wouter mentions the capabilities of extruded PEEK magnet wires from Bekaert, and shares some of the key challenges this type of wire can address in HV motors operation.
Closed Slot Continuous Wave Windings for 800 V Traction Applications, Cleef Thackwell and Max Wilhelm from HiSpeed: In the fourth and final industrial presentation, the HiSpeed gentlemen explore the facilities at HiSpeed Ltd and provide information in the e-drive technology they have been developing to meet the higher voltage challenges for traction motors. The various models, potentials and capabilities of 800 V and higher motors are explored.
Accelerated Ageing and Lifetime Estimation by William Bullas: The final presentation of the day was given by Will from aHV. William explored the pertinent topic of lifetime estimation, a key area for the ageing and failure mechanism community. Probabilistic statistics, multi-factor ageing projects, load cycle analysis, and scaling factors in ageing models are discussed.
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