Space charge distributions in insulating polymers

Recently, new non-destructive techniques such as the LIPP, PIPS, PEA and TP methods have been developed to measure directly the space charge distributions in solid dielectrics. These techniques are very powerful to understand the space charge in insulating materials. In this paper, these new techniques have been briefly reviewed. The space charge distributions and behaviors in insulating polymers, especially in polyethylene, have been shown. The space charge effects on the high-field conduction and breakdown phenomena in polyethylene have been also discussed quantitatively.