Abstract: A 3D model of the joint was built on Ansys Maxwell platform, taking the 10 kV cross linked polyethylene(XLPE) cable intermediate joint as the object.In addition to considering the effects of typical single defects such as air gap, moisture, conductive particles and pin tip on electric field distribution, the model also focused on actual installation process in the field, and several compound defects were applied to the weaker parts and electric field distribution inside the joint was analyzed by finite element.The results showed that when there was a compound defect in the main insulation inside the joint, field strength at the defect varied with its depth, and even a small defect could lead to distortion of internal electric field distribution; conductive tip at XLPE was the most concentrated and the most seriously distorted part of field strength, and the maximum value of the sample data reached 6.365 MV·m^-1, which would lead to insulation breakdown if not treated in time.The calculation results can provide reference for engineering application to prevent insulation breakdown and guide the installation of cable intermediate joint in the field.