Calculating and plotting equipotential lines for objects with cylindrical geometry

Abstract

A computer program has been prepared that calculates the position of equipotential lines in cylindrical geometry for a multidielectric and multiconductor environment using a modified extrapolated Liebmann method. The output consists of printed voltages on evenly spaced grid coordinates, and an automatic drafting machine drawing of the dielectric and conductor boundaries and the equipotentials. The program has been used to design Corona-free high voltage bushings and terminals, and has been applied to other problems where knowledge of the electrostatic field was desired. The program is an example of how the advent of large, high-speed digital computers has made possible easy solutions of previously intractable engineering problems. Running time on the Univac 1108 computer is typically one to two minutes.