Analysis of the failure mechanism of ZnO varistors influenced by high‐resistance media based on multi‐field coupling simulation

Abstract This study focuses on the distribution of high‐resistance media (pores and spinels) within ZnO varistors and explores the mechanical and electrical failure mechanisms of varistors under different pulse actions. Micro‐CT technology revealed that the proportion of high‐resistance media in the...

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Main Authors: Pengfei Meng, Yue Yin, Lei Wang, Jingke Guo, Zerui Li, Kai Zhou, Guangya Zhu, Yefei Xu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-06-01
Series:High Voltage
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1049/hve2.70034
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author Pengfei Meng
Yue Yin
Lei Wang
Jingke Guo
Zerui Li
Kai Zhou
Guangya Zhu
Yefei Xu
author_facet Pengfei Meng
Yue Yin
Lei Wang
Jingke Guo
Zerui Li
Kai Zhou
Guangya Zhu
Yefei Xu
author_sort Pengfei Meng
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This study focuses on the distribution of high‐resistance media (pores and spinels) within ZnO varistors and explores the mechanical and electrical failure mechanisms of varistors under different pulse actions. Micro‐CT technology revealed that the proportion of high‐resistance media in the edge area is much higher than in the internal area. Simulation results indicated that a high porosity significantly increased temperature rise and thermal stress concentration, while a high spinel proportion exacerbated current concentration but had a relatively minor impact on the distribution of temperature rise and thermal stress. Under an electric field of 1000–1250 V/mm, pores transition from an insulating state to a conductive state, especially in the edge area, leading to concentrated temperature rise and thermal stress. Once the thermal stress exceeded the critical value of the mechanical strength of the pores, cracking failure occurred. The high spinel proportion in the edge area further intensified current concentration under high electric fields, working together with the conductivity of the pores to produce a significant local temperature rise, melting grain structure, and ultimately leading to puncture failure. This study provides a new perspective for understanding the failure mechanism of ZnO varistors and lays a theoretical foundation for the development of varistor materials with high energy absorption capacity.
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institution DOAJ
issn 2397-7264
language English
publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher Wiley
record_format Article
series High Voltage
spelling doaj-art-4e2082bdb12842e7b224b519ced3ba2d2025-08-20T03:14:54ZengWileyHigh Voltage2397-72642025-06-0110367367910.1049/hve2.70034Analysis of the failure mechanism of ZnO varistors influenced by high‐resistance media based on multi‐field coupling simulationPengfei Meng0Yue Yin1Lei Wang2Jingke Guo3Zerui Li4Kai Zhou5Guangya Zhu6Yefei Xu7College of Electrical Engineering Sichuan University Chengdu ChinaCollege of Electrical Engineering Sichuan University Chengdu ChinaState Grid Heilongjiang Electric Power Co., Ltd. Electric Power Research Institute Harbin Harbin ChinaCollege of Electrical Engineering Sichuan University Chengdu ChinaCollege of Electrical Engineering Sichuan University Chengdu ChinaCollege of Electrical Engineering Sichuan University Chengdu ChinaCollege of Electrical Engineering Sichuan University Chengdu ChinaCollege of Electrical Engineering Sichuan University Chengdu ChinaAbstract This study focuses on the distribution of high‐resistance media (pores and spinels) within ZnO varistors and explores the mechanical and electrical failure mechanisms of varistors under different pulse actions. Micro‐CT technology revealed that the proportion of high‐resistance media in the edge area is much higher than in the internal area. Simulation results indicated that a high porosity significantly increased temperature rise and thermal stress concentration, while a high spinel proportion exacerbated current concentration but had a relatively minor impact on the distribution of temperature rise and thermal stress. Under an electric field of 1000–1250 V/mm, pores transition from an insulating state to a conductive state, especially in the edge area, leading to concentrated temperature rise and thermal stress. Once the thermal stress exceeded the critical value of the mechanical strength of the pores, cracking failure occurred. The high spinel proportion in the edge area further intensified current concentration under high electric fields, working together with the conductivity of the pores to produce a significant local temperature rise, melting grain structure, and ultimately leading to puncture failure. This study provides a new perspective for understanding the failure mechanism of ZnO varistors and lays a theoretical foundation for the development of varistor materials with high energy absorption capacity.https://doi.org/10.1049/hve2.70034
spellingShingle Pengfei Meng
Yue Yin
Lei Wang
Jingke Guo
Zerui Li
Kai Zhou
Guangya Zhu
Yefei Xu
Analysis of the failure mechanism of ZnO varistors influenced by high‐resistance media based on multi‐field coupling simulation
High Voltage
title Analysis of the failure mechanism of ZnO varistors influenced by high‐resistance media based on multi‐field coupling simulation
title_full Analysis of the failure mechanism of ZnO varistors influenced by high‐resistance media based on multi‐field coupling simulation
title_fullStr Analysis of the failure mechanism of ZnO varistors influenced by high‐resistance media based on multi‐field coupling simulation
title_full_unstemmed Analysis of the failure mechanism of ZnO varistors influenced by high‐resistance media based on multi‐field coupling simulation
title_short Analysis of the failure mechanism of ZnO varistors influenced by high‐resistance media based on multi‐field coupling simulation
title_sort analysis of the failure mechanism of zno varistors influenced by high resistance media based on multi field coupling simulation
url https://doi.org/10.1049/hve2.70034
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