The electrical degradation threshold of polyethylene investigated by space charge and conduction current measurements

Measurement of dc charging current and space-charge observations, performed on specimens made by low-density polyethylene (PE) and crosslinked PE, are considered for dc electrical threshold investigation. The threshold is inferred from charging-current measurements through steady-state voltage-current characteristics, as well as from the total trapped charge, obtained by space-charge measurements carried out at 0 V and under short-circuit after poling for a pre-selected time. It is shown that both techniques provide similar information regarding the electrical threshold values, which vary for the two tested materials. Being the threshold associated with mechanisms of charge storage, its evaluation can help in insulation design and material characterization when electric field, especially dc, is a significant stress in service. Other significant information for design purposes comes from the rate of charge accumulation as function of the applied field, which is estimated through the charge-field characteristic derived from space-charge measurements.