Dependence of space charge dynamics in LDPE on history of voltage application

The space charge phenomenon in PE (polyethylene) particularly in LDPE (low density polyethylene) is being widely researched for more than two decades. Despite various theories proposed by researchers, the charge dynamics in general and charge packets in particular, inside the polymeric insulation are yet to be completely known. The authors have investigated the dependence of charge dynamics on electric field using PEA (pulsed electroacoustic) technique. The experiments were carried out at 25°C on 100 μm LDPE film samples under applied electric fields of 100-150 kV/mm. External current measurements were also performed under similar conditions. The analysis of charge profiles and external currents shows that apart from other factors, charge formation and polarity of charge also depend on history of electric field application. Interesting observations were made on the consequence of such results. Experiments were performed repeatedly on virgin samples, taken from same lot, and the results were found to be almost same. It is believed that the effect of history of voltage application on charge formation, presented in the paper, is useful for understanding practical behavior of LDPE which, if used in power cables, is expected to serve as a dielectric for several years - accumulating a lot of history of voltage application.