Space charge accumulation in polymeric DC mini-cables

Polymeric cables operating under high voltage direct current (HVDC), suffer from space charge accumulation and may exhibit a relatively low depletion rate of accumulated charges when the external field is removed. Increasing the reliability of polymeric dc cables is of crucial importance. The development of new polymeric materials with improved performance under dc electrical stresses requires a thorough investigation of the properties governing charge injection, transport and trapping. In this research, the space charge accumulation thresholds of three different polymeric dc minicables are examined with the use of space charge and conduction current measurements.