Do semicons affect space charge?

This paper reports on space charge measurements on /spl sim/1.5 mm thick XLPE and polyolefinic plaques with two different treatments and semicon electrodes, namely, the same XLPE and polyolefin loaded with carbon. Samples were subjected to both DC and 50 Hz AC electric stresses in the region of 25 kV/mm (at room temperature). Measurements of charge profiles and stress distributions were made using the modified laser induced pressure propagation system. Emphasis has been placed on comparing the space charge characteristics of the two insulation systems with the different sernicon electrodes. The effects of sample treatment (i.e. degassing) on the space charge dynamics are also presented.