The influence of the water on water absorption and density of XLPEcable insulation

This paper presents the results of a continuing investigation into effect of water on water absorption and density of crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE). The experimental set up was made for the following XLPE cable insulations: steam and dry cured with water tree retardant crosslinked polyethylene (TR-XLPE) and without water tree retardant crosslinked polyethylene (natural XLPE). During tests, the tap water was injected (1) into the cable conductor with cable ends closed, (2) into the cable conductor with cable ends opened, and (3) into the metallic screen with cable ends opened. The XLPE cable insulation together with the water present in the cable was subjected to electrical stress and heating. The results were analyzed theoretically and experimentally. The aim of this paper is to present the results of the influence of the water on water absorption and density of various kinds of XLPE cable insulation in different service conditions     

Water treeing - filled versus unfilled cable insulation

Attempts to make XLPE increasingly resistant to water tree growth have involved additives, which decrease hydrophobicity and make the XLPE more like EPR. EPS are evolving through improved processing, clay compatibilization, etc. to reduce losses while retaining the inherent water tree resistance. Thus in the end, the two technologies appear to be moving toward the "center" from opposite ends of a spectrum (filled versus unfilled) to achieve improved cable insulation performance     

硅氧化焼注入后水树老化交联聚乙烯电缆电气特性和微观结构（英文）

To evaluate the effect of using siloxane liquid to rejuvenate water tree defects in cross-linked polyethylene(XLPE)cables,we investigated the electrical properties and micro-structures of water-tree aged XLPE cables after siloxane liquid injection treatment.The water-tree aged samples were prepared by performing accelerated aging experiment using water-needle electrodes,and the siloxane liquid is injected into the aged cable through a pressurized injection system.Dielectric loss factors of the samples before and after the rejuvenation were compared.The water trees and the internal filler were observed using scanning electron microscope(SEM).Electrical properties of the reactants are measured.Electric field simulation is conducted to verify the rejuvenation effect by finite element method.The results show that the siloxane liquid diffused into the insulation layer in a short time and reacted with water in the water trees.The electrical properties of the formed organic filler are in accord with that of XLPE.Therefore,the action between siloxane and water can inhibit the growth of water trees and reduce electric field distortion of the water tree areas.As a result,insulation performance of the cable is enhanced.A 70 m long cable was aged and rejuvenated in laboratory and an on-site rejuvenation experiment was conducted,and in both cases the dielectric loss factor and leakage current halved after rejuvenation.     

Comparative laboratory evaluation of TR-XLPE and XLPE cables with Super-smooth conductor shields

This paper provides data on four commercial tree retardant crosslinked polyethylene (TR-XLPE) and one cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulated 15 kV cables supplied by three manufacturers. The cables have "super-smooth" conductor shields and "extra-clean" insulation and insulation shields. AC and impulse voltage breakdown and selected other characterization data are presented for cables that were aged immersed in room temperature water (15-30/spl deg/C) up to 24 months of a planned 48 months aging program. The five cables have high ac voltage breakdown strength, three of the TR-XLPE cables, actually increased in breakdown strength during aging. The one TR-XLPE cable that had the lowest ac voltage breakdown had vented trees at the insulation shield and high dissipation factor, which the other cables did not have. The impulse voltage breakdown strength of all cables decreased during aging; the cable with the lowest ac voltage breakdown also has the lowest impulse voltage breakdown. The dissimilar performance of the TR-XLPE cables and the excellent performance of the XLPE cable indicates evaluations at longer times are required to differentiate between modern TR-XLPE and XLPE insulated cables.     

热老化对交联聚乙烯电缆绝缘中水树的影响研究

热老化过程不但会影响交联聚乙烯电缆绝缘的电磁学和物理化学性能,还对绝缘内水树的产生与生长有着一定的影响。通过研究热老化过程对XLPE电缆绝缘中的水树现象的影响,以及在几个有可能的影响因素当中,哪个因素对水树现象的影响最大。实验结果表明,在与XLPE电缆绝缘的热老化有关的各种因素对水树现象的影响中,热氧化对XLPE电缆绝缘表层水树的产生和生长的影响最大。尽管热氧化所引起的缺陷有可能就是XLPE电缆绝缘中水树生长过程中的起始点,但是它在一定程度上抑制着水树的成长,甚至有着"水树延迟效果"的美称。     

A study of treeing phenomena in the development of insulation for500 kV XLPE cables

This review summarizes research on treeing phenomena, i.e. the formation of electrical trees and water trees, that has been undertaken in Japan for the development of 500 kV XLPE cable. Section 1 presents the results of factors affecting XLPE cable insulation breakdown under commercial ac and lightning impulse voltages. Section 2 verifies the phenomena of electrical tree formation in XLPE cable insulation using block samples and model cables, and gives the results of studies to determine the level electrical field stress initiation for such trees. Section 3 summarizes the results of studies on long-term aging characteristics, which is a particular problem under commercial ac voltages, while Section 4 explains how this research influenced the design of 500 kV XLPE cable insulation. All authors were members of `The investigation committee of fundamental process of treeing degradation' under IEEJ     

500kV XLPE电缆绝缘中树枝化现象的述评

介绍日本开发 5 0 0 k V XL PE电力电缆时研究树枝化现象的形成 ,评述 XL PE电缆形成电树和水树与场强的相关性、树枝引发场强和长期寿命特性的研究结果 ,说明由此确定 5 0 0 k V XL PE电力电缆的绝缘设计。     

Effect of water on aging of XLPE cable insulation

Cables as elements of power distribution system have great influence on its reliable service and overall planning requirements. During last years, crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) cables have been more and more used in power systems. This paper presents the results of an investigation of changing of (XLPE) cables insulation breakdown stress (AC BDS) due to water absorption. The paper deals with AC BDS of the following kinds of XLPE cable insulations: steam and dry cured with water tree retardant crosslinked polyethylene (TR-XLPE) and non-tree retardant crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE). During tests, the tap water was injected into, (1) conductor with cable ends closed; (2) into cable conductor with ends opened; and (3) into metallic screen with cable ends opened. The presence of water in XLPE cables was subjected to electrical stress and heating. AC BDS tests were performed as a function of aging time and water content in the cable insulation at different aging temperatures. Also, in this investigation, tests with the changing of AC BDS in the radial direction of unaged and aged XLPE cable insulations were carried out.     

The influence of antioxidants on electrical tree generation in XLPE

In conjunction with previous experiments studying the effect of decomposition products of dicumyl peroxide (DCP) and antioxidants (AOs) in cross‐linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation on electrical tree generation, the authors conducted experiments investigating tree inhibition by phenolic AOs. The experiments were conducted using XLPE slabs containing four different phenolic AOs. Among the specimens containing these AOs, the specimen containing 4,4é‐thio‐bis(3‐methyl‐6‐tert‐butylphenol) was found to show the highest tree inception voltage. To examine the reasons for the significant increase in tree inception voltage in this specimen, further experiments were carried out on XLPE specimens containing both phenolic AO and a sulfur‐containing AO. The results demonstrated that the tree inception voltages of specimens containing both phenolic AO and sulfur‐containing AO were higher than those of the specimens containing only one of these two types of AOs. The roles of antioxidants in XLPE dielectrics are discussed with reference to the mechanisms of autoxidation of polymeric materials. The great increase in the tree inception voltage of XLPE specimens containing 4,4é‐thio‐bis(3‐methyl‐6‐tert‐butylphenol) appears to be due to a synergistic effect between the phenolic AO and the sulfur‐containing AO. © 2001 Scripta Technica, Electr Eng Jpn, 135(3): 1–7, 2001     

Understanding Electrical Performance and Microstructure of Water Tree Aged Cables after Silicone Injection during Electrical-Thermal Accelerated Aging

To further understand the long-term effect of rejuvenation fluid on water tree aged cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) cables after silicone injection, electrical performance and microstructure of water tree aged cables were investigated during an electrical-thermal accelerated aging experiment. Two groups of treated and untreated water tree aged cable samples were subjected to electrical-thermal aging for 2 weeks. The results of the dielectric loss factor showed that the electrical performance of the treated samples was significantly better than that of untreated samples after electrical-thermal aging. Microobservation results showed that the overall water tree sizes of the treated samples were much smaller than those of the untreated samples after electrical-thermal aging. Furthermore, there was a second growth of water trees in the original water tree region during electrical-thermal aging in both groups of samples. Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), rejuvenation fillers were observed tightly embedded in water tree voids after electrical-thermal aging. The infrared (IR) spectroscopy analysis results showed that the concentration of rejuvenation fluid increased from the outer layer to the inner layer of insulation. Based on the results, due to the improvement of the electric field at the water tree tip and the diffusion of silicone fluid in the insulation layer, both the second growth in the original water tree region and continuing growth at the water tree tip can be effectively inhibited.     

交联聚乙烯电缆水树缺陷的修复方法研究

采用硅氧烷修复液修复交联聚乙烯电缆老化试样中的水树,进而分析修复效果及机理。将介质损耗因数为4%～6%,绝缘电阻7 500～10 000 MΩ的短电缆在7.5 kV 450 Hz交流电压下老化至介质损耗因数达到20%左右,绝缘电阻3 500～5 000 MΩ。然后用压力注入式修复装置把修复液注入缆芯对水树缺陷进行修复。以介质损耗因数、绝缘电阻和击穿电压为指标对修复效果进行评判;通过显微镜切片观察修复前后水树微观形态;通过仿真修复前后水树附近电场分布来分析和验证水树的修复机理。实验结果证明,修复液可以充分与电缆水树中的水发生反应生成胶状聚合物填充水树通道;修复后电缆介质损耗因数、绝缘电阻和击穿电压恢复到新电缆水平;改善了绝缘层电场分布;有效地抑制了水树生长。实验表明,该修复液可有效修复电缆中的水树缺陷,提高电缆绝缘水平。     

Understanding treeing phenomena and space charge effect in gamma-irradiated XLPE cable insulation

In the present work, electrical trees were experimentally generated in virgin and gamma-irradiated XLPE cable insulation, under AC voltages. Fibrillar type of electrical tree structure forms from the defect site in gamma-irradiated specimens. Failure times due to electrical trees were analysed by adopting Weibull distribution studies. The results of the study indicate that gamma-irradiated specimens, where the rate of tree propagation is high, causing early failure of insulation. Pulsed electro acoustic emission (PEAE) technique was adopted to understand the space charge formation in XLPE cable insulation. The results of the study indicate that homo and hetero charges form near to the electrodes especially in gamma-irradiated XLPE cable insulation. Variations in space charge density at different voltage magnitudes with time were analysed. It is observed that the electric field in the insulating material becomes highly non-uniform on occurrence of hetero charges. It is also realized that on removal of applied voltage, the charge decay is less with gamma-irradiated specimens. Based on the present study, it could be concluded that Space charge density in insulating material and life of insulating material due to electrical tree formation shows inverse relationship.     

高温下110kV交联聚乙烯电缆电树枝生长及局部放电特性

利用实时显微数字摄像与局部放电连续测量系统,采用典型针-板电极结构,研究了高温下不同外施工频电压作用时110kV级交联聚乙烯(XLPE)电缆绝缘中典型电树枝的形态特征、引发、生长规律及其局部放电特性。实验结果表明,温度对XLPE电缆绝缘中典型电树枝的形态、引发与生长时间具有非常重要的影响。在高温下,不同外施工频电压作用时电树枝的形态呈现出多样性的特点,50°C下典型电树枝形态为枝状、枝-松枝状和丛状,70°C下为枝状,90°C下为滞长型和枝状。高温下电树枝引发时间随外施电压升高而减小,而且在同一外施电压下,电树枝引发时间随温度升高而减小,这是由于在高温下XLPE电缆绝缘中片晶熔化,无定形相增加,介质中自由体积扩大,从而更有利于电树枝引发。研究发现在低电压(9kV)下,电树枝生长过程中由于通道电导率增加而抑制了通道内局部放电的发展,局部放电作用减小,电树枝生长速度减慢,分形维数较高;而11kV以上电压作用时,电树枝在局部放电的连续作用下呈枝状向对面电极快速生长,同时高温下XLPE弹性模量下降,击穿场强降低,局部放电作用加剧,电树枝生长明显加速,电树枝分形维数较低。     

Electrical stress enhancement of contaminants in XLPE insulation used for power cables

The use of XLPE as the insulation for power cables has grown steadily since it first introduction more than 30 years ago. Today XLPE is rapidly becoming the preferred insulation system for even the highest transmission voltages. This preference is due to the high reliability, low dielectric losses, and low environmental impact that can be achieved with XLPE. The positive effects of high quality insulation materials on improved cable performance have been well known since the start of cable making. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the technical background for the cleanliness levels and to quantify the level of performance required from clean materials. The advantages of clean insulation materials are seen at all voltages. However, this work focuses on the technical basis for the benefits for HV and EHV cables, which typically are designed with a water impervious layer to ensure that the cable remains dry throughout its entire lifetime. The presence of metallic contaminants in MV cable is known to enhance the growth of trees by raising the electric stress level locally. The singular impact of cleanliness on the performance of MV cables is somewhat more complicated as it is influenced both by the cleanliness of the insulation and the ability of the insulation material to resist the growth of water trees.     

66 kV抗水树XLPE绝缘轻型海底电缆研制

介绍一种额定电压66 kV抗水树XLPE绝缘轻型海底电缆的研制方法。通过对模型电缆进行工频电压和雷电冲击电压击穿性能测试,按照CIGRE TB 722:2018规范对研制样品进行500 Hz/3000 h、50 Hz/8750 h、50 Hz/17500 h 3种湿式绝缘质量鉴定试验,按照CIGRE TB 490:2012和CIGRE TB 623:2015规范对研制产品进行型式试验,试验结果完全满足设计规范要求。在未来的深远海、大功率海上风机互联阵列海缆选型中,66 kV抗水树XLPE绝缘轻型海底电缆可以完美替代35 kV XLPE绝缘海底电缆。     

The behavior of water in XLPE and EPR cables and its influence onthe electric characteristics of insulation

This paper presents the latest results of continuous investigations of cable insulations degradation of crosslinked polyethylene (XPLE) and ethylene-propylene with rubber based formulation (EPR) when subjected to electric stress and heating in the presence of water or water vapour. The paper deals with water absorption and diffusion in two kinds of crosslinked polyethylene insulation-dry-cured and steam-cured, and steam-cured EPR insulation. The aim of this investigation is to present the results of the influence of changing of water or water vapour pressure in the conductors of XLPE and EPR cables in different service conditions on the electric characteristics of XLPE and EPR insulations-breakdown voltage (AC BDV), dissipation factor (tan δ) and rata of partial discharge (RPD). In this paper, RPD is defined as, the maximum electrical field when the beginning partial discharge in the cable insulation and partial discharge were measured in accordance with the IEC standard. This paper also shows the relation between AC BDV and water content, and AC BDV and tan δ in XLPE and EPR insulations. In this testing the tap water was put in the cable conductors and the ends were properly closed by terminal boxes. The results indicate that the combined effects of water or water vapour, pressure, moisture, electric field and temperature will greatly accelerate deterioration of XLPE and EPR insulations     

The effect of water treeing on the electric field distribution ofXLPE. Consequences for the dielectric strength

This paper describes the influence of water trees on dielectric properties of flat samples cut from a HV crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) cable insulation. In order to obtain experimental results in a short period of time, we used accelerated aging conditions of voltage and frequency as well as different techniques for producing a multitude of artificial water tree inception points. The average value of the water tree permittivity and a law for the time-dependence of permittivity inside the treed degraded areas were deduced from measurements of capacitance and water tree lengths. On the basis of the experimental knowledge of permittivity and water tree length, we determined with analytical numerical methods, the distribution of the electric field for different shapes of treed regions. Because of the increase in length and permittivity of the water tree, the electric field in front of the degraded area is amplified, which is an important factor of risk leading to the electric breakdown     

Application of dielectric response measurement on power cable systems

Water treeing is one of the factors leading to failure of medium voltage XLPE cables in long-term service. Increased moisture content inside oil-paper insulated cable is not desirable. To identify water tree degraded XLPE cables or oil-paper cables with high moisture content, diagnostic tests based on dielectric response (DR) measurement in time and frequency domain are used. Review of individual DR measurement techniques in the time and frequency domains indicates that measurement of one parameter in either domain may not be sufficient to reveal the status of the cable insulation. But a combination of several DR parameters can improve diagnostic results with respect to water trees present in XLPE cables or increased moisture content in oil-paper cables. DR measurement is a very useful tool that reveals average condition of cable systems. However, it is unlikely that DR measurement will detect few, but long water trees. In addition, DR cannot locate the defect or water tree site within the cable system. Combination of DR and partial discharge (PD) measurements can improve diagnostic results with respect to global and local defects. However, it is doubtful whether PD test can identify the presence of water trees inside a cable in a nondestructive manner. Further research is needed for more detailed conclusions regarding the status of a particular insulation and for predicting the remaining life of the insulation system.     

温度对聚乙烯水树枝老化特性的影响

为研究温度对PE水树枝老化特性的影响,选用低密度聚乙烯(LDPE)、过氧化物(DCP)交联聚乙烯(XLPE)作为试验材料。在室温(20°C)、40°C、60°C、80°C 4个温度下,采用水针电极法培养水树枝,用金相显微镜观测水树枝形态,并统计水树枝尺寸和引发率。研究发现,在60°C以上,温度对PE水树枝老化特性影响显著;水树枝的引发率随温度的升高先减小后增大;水树枝的尺寸随温度的升高总体呈现增大的趋势;LDPE和XLPE的试验得到类似的结果,但XLPE的抗水树枝老化性能优于LDPE。同时研究发现,随温度的升高,材料的力学性能大幅下降。经分析认为,交联限制大晶块的形成,使材料的力学性能增强,是XLPE抗水树枝化性能优于LDPE的两个主要原因;高温下两种材料力学性能下降、微孔膨胀、水分和盐离子的加速扩散是高温下水树枝劣化加速的主要原因。