Experiments on polymer cavity currents above and below CIV

The authors report work in progress on the hypothesis that currents in cavities of polymers, including those not detected by commercial partial discharge detectors, may cause chemical changes on the walls of cavities or at other inhomogeneities. These changes may lead to insulation chemical deterioration, with resulting premature failure. The authors report on refined test cell design, and operation in support of continuing the plasma-chemical investigations of A.M. Bruning et al. (1991).<>