Characteristics of Polyethylene Impregnated with Various Gases

With a view to realizing plastic-insulated power cables for extra-high voltage, the improvement of insulating characteristics of polyethylene was investigated by impregnating microvoids in polyethylene insulation with an electronegative gas which is superior in insulating performance to air. In this study diffusion and dissolution into polyethylene of various gases with outstanding insulating characteristics were investigated, and AC and impulse tree-starting voltages and AC breakdown voltages of gas-impregnated polyethylene were improved.