Evaluation of aged distribution terminations by characterization techniques

This study describes the reliability assessment of 13 years service-aged distribution terminations using characterization techniques such as SEM, ESCG DSC/OIT, FTIR, NMR and so on. Characterization of these terminations revealed that the surface of weathersheds had micro-cracks and chalking of fillers by surface aging. Elemental analysis of weathersheds showed that the carbon was decreased and the oxygen was increased due to a little oxidation reaction. In the analysis of oxidation induction time and chemical structure, there were no differences between new and aged terminations. From this study it can be considered that these terminations are relatively sound up to the present. But, composition of material for weathersheds was varied with time and field site. It was confirmed that environmental factors had an effect on the aging through the composition change.