https://doi.org/10.1140/epjs/s11734-026-02166-5
Regular Article
Arborescence in low voltage aluminum electric cable using images generated by the X-ray transmission microtomography technique and Comsol Multiphysics
1
Nuclear Engineering Program at COPPE/UFRJ, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Av. Horácio Macedo, 2030, 21941-941, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
2
Federal Institute of Paraná - Pinhais Campus, R. Humberto de A. C. Branco, 1575 - Jardim Amélia, Pinhais, PR, Brazil
a
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Received:
1
July
2024
Accepted:
27
January
2026
Published online:
20
February
2026
Abstract
This study investigates the thermal effects induced by electric current passing through aluminum (Al) conductor cables in a three-phase electrical system. Using Maxwell’s equations, we investigated power dissipation and impedance across Al electrical cable, considering a frequency of 60 Hz and an electrical phase difference of 120° between phases, with voltage amplitudes ranging from 127 to 220 V. Computational tools are employed to process 3D digital images from X-ray Microcomputed Tomography (microCT) of the electrical cables. The processed data were converted into stereolithographic (STL) files for importation into the COMSOL Multiphysics modeling package. The main objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of current pulses, typically occurring during transients, on the proliferation of voids in the insulating layer of electrical cables. The microCT system was used to generate 3D digital data of the Al electrical cable before and after the electrical current pulses. The results showed that the phenomenon of electrical arborescence occurred and the increase in voids in the insulating layer, caused by current pulses due to the increase in temperature inside the conductor. Furthermore, it was observed that current pulses increase the internal volume, causing changes and generating small imperfections and electrical arborescence in the insulating layer.
© The Author(s) 2026
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