RLC Parameters of a Two-Wire Line with the Finite Element Method

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how to compute the RLC parameters of a two-wire line using finite element analysis, incorporating open boundary modeling, defect effects, and validation with analytical and commercial software.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive finite element approach for calculating RLC parameters of two-wire lines, including effects of insulation and defects, with open-source software and validation methods.

Findings

Finite element method accurately computes RLC parameters.

Open boundary modeling effectively simulates electrostatic and magnetostatic fields.

Validation confirms the method's reliability against analytical and commercial software.

Abstract

This tutorial paper shows how to compute the DC (or low-frequency) resistance, inductance and capacitance of a pair of parallel wires using the finite element method. A three-dimensional infinite domain (open boundary) modeling of electrostatic and magnetostatic fields is presented, along with the electrokinetic formulation for the current flow inside the wires. The effects of the insulation and of a proposed physical defect in the wires are also considered. The open-source ONELAB software is used to perform the simulations and the code listing is provided. Comparisons using analytical models (when applicable) and the Altair Flux software are performed to help validate the simulations.