An experimental investigation on the degradation characteristics of 22.9kV XLPE cables; dependence on the compounds and curing process

Systematic investigations have been carried out to compare the aging characteristics of 22.9kV XLPE (cross-linked polyethylene) power cables which might be dependent not only on the different types of curing processes on the various antioxidant additives. Sample cables were aged at 60 Hz and 41kV (3Uo), for which hot water at 70/spl deg/C was introduced between the conductor and the semiconductive layer during up to 8760 hrs in a water bath. Afterwards, the AC breakdown characteristics of these aged cables were measured. In a microscopic analysis of the insulating materials, water trees, crystallinity, and oxidation level were measured using a sliced specimen cut into radial sections.<
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