Basic study of the aging process in solid dielectric cables. Part 1

Technical Report · Mon Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:5342919

The Department of Energy has initiated a 4-year study concerned with the aging of extruded power transmission cables. The program has two principal objectives: develop a basic understanding of the physical mechanisms of dielectric aging and failures, and develop a nondestructive, accelerated test for predicting the service life of these cables. The program is devoted exclusively to the most widely used solid dielectrics, i.e., low density polyethylene, cross-linked polyethylene, and ethylene propylene rubber. For purposes of this program, it is assumed that the cable will be isolated from the external environment during service. The first two of four sequential tasks in the program have been completed. Task 1 was a comprehensive state-of-the-art review. One result of this review has been the completion of a large bibliography consisting of approximately 800 references on a variety of subjects; including dielectric breakdown phenomena; treeing (electrical and electrochemical); accelerated testing through application of higher-than-normal values of stresses such as frequency, voltage gradient, mechanical load, and temperature; multiple stress interaction; scaling; polyolefin morphology and degradation mechanisms; and statistical methods for experimental design and treatment of data. Task 2 involved the development of models of aging processes in solid dielectrics exposed to electrical, thermal, mechanical, and other stresses. Inputs to these models were obtained from selected literature sources. Three models, i.e., a crystallization kinetics model, heterogeneous kinetic model, and a homogeneous kinetic model are discussed. These models form the basis of the Task 3 experimental plan, which will have as its goal the verification and modification of these models.

• Research Organization: Battelle Columbus Labs., OH (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC01-77ET29239
• OSTI ID: 5342919
• Report Number(s): DOE/ET/29239-1-Vol.1; ON: DE82012068
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

200300* -- Electric Power Engineering-- Power Transmission & Distribution-- (-1989)
24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360405 -- Materials-- Polymers & Plastics-- Degradation & Erosion-- (-1987)
AGING
BREAKDOWN
CABLES
CONDUCTOR DEVICES
DIELECTRIC MATERIALS
DYNAMIC LOADS
ELECTRIC CABLES
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTRICAL INSULATION
ELECTRICAL TRANSIENTS
EQUIPMENT
ETHYLENE PROPYLENE DIENE POLYMERS
MATERIALS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
OVERVOLTAGE
POLYETHYLENES
POLYMERS
POLYOLEFINS
POWER TRANSMISSION LINES
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
STRESSES
THERMAL STRESSES
TRANSIENTS
VOLTAGE DROP