Dielectric Spectroscopy Laboratory

The Dielectric Spectroscopy Laboratory serves for scientific research purposes and for the preparation of final theses of bachelor's and engineering students and doctoral dissertations at the Department of Electrical Power Engineering. The laboratory studies the electrophysical structures of liquid and solid high-voltage insulating materials. Their changes during aging under accelerated thermal stress are studied. The laboratory is equipped with instruments and devices that allow the influence of the amplitude and frequency of the test voltage on the value of the dielectric parameters of the materials under study to be studied. Their analysis using dielectric spectroscopy is performed in a wide frequency range from 0.1 mHz to 3 GHz. The materials are placed in impedance-matched electrode systems for liquid and solid dielectrics. Measurements can be performed in environments with temperatures up to 300 oC and determine material properties such as complex permittivity, complex capacitance and dielectric loss factor. Volume and surface resistivity can be determined up to 10 PW. The electrometer can measure currents with a sensitivity of up to 100 aA.

Subjects and learning outcomes:

Engineering studies: Subject Automation in electrical power engineering (basic knowledge of modeling cyber-physical systems with a focus on material structures in electrical power engineering, data collection and analysis, control and hierarchy of systems and processes in electrical power engineering)

Doctoral studies: Subject Scientific activity 1-5.: Ability to independently conceive, construct, implement and modify a substantial part of research with scientific integrity and contribute to expanding the boundaries of scientific knowledge through the implementation of an extensive body of work, some of which are worthy of peer-reviewed publication. Achieving original scientific results that are acceptable at the international level. Based on the implementation of scientific research, the graduate is considered an expert in his/her field.

Doctoral studies: Subject Dissertation project: Mastering the methods of scientific work. Deepening knowledge in the area of ​​the dissertation topic. To achieve original scientific results, acceptable at the international level, through intensive research. The doctoral student can demonstrate the ability to work creatively, both individually and in teams, in solving a scientific research task or project by presenting the results in the form of scientific publications, in journals and at conferences, by participating in research groups for grant tasks, etc. He is able to formulate the goals of the dissertation and the methods that lead to the fulfillment of its goals. He is able to design and apply scientific methods of solution. He can present the methods and achieved results of his scientific work.

The laboratory is equipped with classic high voltage sources and modern measuring equipment:

Agilent E4991A RF – impedance material analyzer

IDAX 300 AG 19090 – device for measuring dielectric properties of insulators

Keithley 617 electrometer – device for measuring small currents and high resistances

Keithley 6517B electrometer – device for measuring small currents and high resistances with its own 1 kV source

Agilent E4890A – RLC meter

Agilent 16452A – fixture for measuring dielectric properties of liquids

Agilent 16451B – fixture for measuring dielectric properties of solid materials

Keithley 8080 – chamber with electrode system for measuring bulk and surface conductivity

Hewlett Packard 34401A – multimeter

HAMEG HM8118 – RLC bridge

FP 400 – PC controlled laboratory air drying oven for thermal stress simulation

Celestron CE44345 digital microscope with video recording

Technix SR-1200W-100kV – DC high voltage power supply

Eurotest 61557 Euro Set – complete electrical installation testing device

Fluke 437-II  power quality analyzer