Research of Partial Discharges Intensity Voltage Dependence in XLPE-Insulated Cables

This paper describes a study of partial discharges as an insulation degradation mechanism. Some known insulation aging mathematical models are described. Since these models use partial discharges power dependence on voltage, it is studied. Experimental research of partial discharges characteristics dependence is performed. The 10 kV single core XLPE-insulated cable termination defect is used as a source of partial discharges. PD characteristics were measured in the range from 8 to 15 kV. The obtained results showed a presence of a harmful defect in the cable. PD at 8 kV were found insufficient. However, 10 kV voltage caused the occurrence of considerable partial discharges. PD at 15 kV had the most destructive effect on the insulating material. The obtained PD power voltage dependence curve correlates with the known research results. However, the obtained characteristic can change in time because of the defect growth, so this process has to be further studied.