About surface partial discharge tests on samples of polymer films subjected to several distorted voltages

An experimental activity on polymeric films aged by means of surface partial discharges was presented. Different tests voltage waveforms were considered so that the tests were performed in voltage deformed conditions. The relevant life time results were found and two prediction models were taken in account: the first considering the maximum value (Vmax) of the applied voltage and the second one considering a severity indicator (V*) more representative of the applied voltage waveform then the Vmax. It was shown that the second prediction model is more suitable to the proposed scope than the first one because of his intrinsic advantage of considering much more the partial discharge phenomena. Further studies are in progress to improve the proposed models.