Polarization and space charge behavior of unaged and electricallyaged crosslinked polyethylene

The behavior of crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) for HV cable insulation under electrical stress is discussed in the paper, referring to specimens unaged and electrically aged. Polarization and space charge features are considered. The behavior of the examined insulation is evaluated through the `universal' model for polarization and space-charge associated quantities, such as the dc threshold for space charge build up and the total charge accumulated into insulation. It is shown that aging affects the magnitude and the frequency of low and intermediate frequency polarization peaks, as well as the magnitude of accumulated space charge and threshold. Charge injected or formed in the bulk, as well as microstructural modifications, could explain changes of polarization and space charge magnitude with aging     

自由基清除剂对电老化聚乙烯中空间电荷的影响

向低密度聚乙烯中添加自由基清除剂能够有效地抑制电老化,因而改变了电老化过程中聚乙烯的空间电荷的分布。在直流预压和短路过程中,空间电荷量随老化时间呈线性增长。结合自由基清除剂在其它老化形式中的化学反应机理,详细讨论了自由基清除剂对聚乙烯电老化的抑制以及老化过程中空间电荷分布的影响。     

变频电机用聚酰亚胺薄膜电老化特性研究

为研究变频电机用耐电晕型聚酰亚胺材料耐局部放电老化机理,采用电导电流法分别测量了普通聚酰亚胺薄膜(100HN)和耐电晕型聚酰亚胺薄膜(100CR)电晕老化前、经10kV/mm、20kV/mm电晕强度8h老化后的电老化阈值。结果表明,2种薄膜的电老化阈值随电老化强度的增加而减小,且耐电晕型薄膜的电老化阈值始终高于普通膜的阈值;在2种薄膜的空间电荷限制电流区内,耐电晕型薄膜的电流增长率较大,说明其中含有更多的浅陷阱,测试结果与其170°C下退极化电流测试结果一致。这些浅陷阱有效调节了聚酰亚胺薄膜中电场的分布,改善其耐电晕性能。     

Electrical aging and life models: the role of space charge

This paper has the aim of providing a view of a lively debated topic which has broad impact on the design of electrical apparatus and new insulating materials, that is, the interaction between space charge and aging processes of polymeric insulation. Aging models developed in recent decades that consider explicitly or implicitly the contribution of space charge to insulation degradation, under both DC and AC voltage, are dealt with, with the intention to point out their range of validity. Some conventional phenomenological models that have been used for much more than two decades without referring to space charges can be exploited to account for electrical field and activation energy modification due to space charge. These, together with models conceived considering space charges as the driving force for aging, are especially examined. In addition, recent models that disregard the action of space charge as an ageing factor, but consider space charge as the consequence of degradation processes are also discussed.     

空间电荷在评估绝缘聚合物电老化程度中的应用研究

通过向聚乙烯中添加一种电压稳定剂，能够有效地抑制聚乙烯的电老化。纯聚乙烯和含电压稳定剂的聚乙烯的试样经过不同时间的电老化后，空间电荷测量表明，在电老化过程中，空间电荷的分布发生变化，出现正负电荷峰的分离和叠加。两种性质的试样中的空间电荷总量都近似地随老化时间呈线性增长，并与老化后的残余绝缘强度的变化有对应关系。分析表明，以试样的短路空间电荷总量与老化时间关系，可以评估聚乙烯的电老化程度。     

Searching for short-term techniques for the inference of electricalthreshold of PET. DC conductivity measurements

A possible way for the detection of electrical threshold in dielectric polymers is illustrated in this paper. On the basis of the consideration that the lowest threshold level for electrical aging is related to build up of steady space charge, high-field current measurements performed at different voltage and temperature values, seeking space charge limited current conditions, can provide estimations of electric field at threshold. This approach is applied to PET films under dc voltage. The values of electrical threshold thus obtained are compared with those derived from conventional accelerated life testing, showing that there is good correspondence of values at the lowest temperature of the test range, while deviation between estimates increases with temperature     

交流电压下基于空间电荷效应的XLPE电缆绝缘老化研究现状

交联聚乙烯(XLPE)电缆以其优良的机械和电气性能广泛应用于现代电力系统。研究表明,在直流电压作用下绝缘中容易形成空间电荷,导致电场畸变,加速绝缘老化。国内外很少关于交流电压下空间电荷对XLPE电缆绝缘影响的研究。本文综述了交流电压下空间电荷对XLPE电缆绝缘老化的影响及其作用机理,并介绍了交流电压下测量空间电荷分布的改进的电声脉冲法。结果表明,交流电压下,空间电荷分布特性影响XLPE电缆绝缘老化。     

A contribution to the study of aging of XLPE insulated cables

The electrical, thermal, and multiple-stress (thermal and electrical) aging of cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) cable models has been investigated in order to get information on aging effects and mechanisms. After endurance tests, XLPE cable models have been subjected to chemical, physical, electrical, and microstructural characterization. Thermal aging results reveal that bulk degradation occurs in the cables at temperatures higher than the melting point. Multiple-stress aging data emphasize a synergistic effect of electric field and temperature. Significant microstructural changes detected in the cables aged under multiple stress are evidence of this effect and can partly explain the time behavior of the electric strength     

空间电荷测量表征聚乙烯中电荷输运特性

通过电声脉冲(PEA)法测量了低密度聚乙烯(LDPE)在不同场强作用下的去极化特性。根据空间电荷限制电流(SCLC)理论,通过公式推导求解了聚乙烯的平均电荷体密度、视在迁移率、陷阱深度分布及阈值场强。结果表明聚乙烯中的陷阱或缺陷,即其微观形态与宏观上空间电荷的分布密切相关。     

Relation between space charge accumulation and partial discharge activity in enameled wires under PWM-like voltage waveforms

It has been observed that voltage waveforms generated by power electronic converters may affect significantly the reliability of electric motor insulation. Since partial discharges are considered to be the main cause of the reliability loss, new enamel insulations for magnet wires are being developed in order to withstand better stress amplification. The electrical characterization of these insulating materials is often carried out through aging tests which may provide estimation of life under different stress levels and conditions. However, deeper investigation of aging phenomena due to supply voltage waveforms is needed, especially regarding the relation between aging factors and stress conditions. This paper deals with this topic, showing experimental evidences of relation between partial discharge quantities (e.g., inception voltage, repetition frequency, amplitude) and electrical properties, associated with charge accumulation, which can be directly evaluated through space charge measurements. Characterization of insulating materials and comparison of materials candidate for application in power electronic waveform environment can be carried out resorting to the methodology proposed here. This approach can provide, therefore, a useful feedback to wire manufacturers regarding, e.g., the choice of additive nature and enamel components for magnet wires in power-electronic controlled motors.     

Measurement of space charge in XLPE insulation under 50 Hz acelectric stresses using the LIPP method

Space charge is believed to play an important role in ac electrical ageing of polymeric insulation, particularly where electrical treeing is the dominant cause of premature failure. The majority of work to date has been on the space charge characteristics under dc electric stresses, whereas work on the dynamics and the role of space charge on electrical breakdown under 50 Hz ac conditions have only received limited attention. Consequently, a full understanding of space charge trapping and dynamics under ac operating conditions is required if ever more reliable polymer insulated cable systems are to be developed. The present paper reports on aspects of an on-going investigation into the measurement of space charge in XLPE insulation under 50 Hz ac stress using the laser induced pressure propagation (LIPP) technique. Some important features of the method are described such as, point on wave control of the laser and use of correction factors to offset variations in the laser power and ablation of the target material. Emphasis has also been placed on establishing a simple method for analysing data, termed "X-plots". Some preliminary results of the space charge and electric stress distribution of un-degassed and degassed crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) plaques aged electrically under ac stress (30 kV_peak/mm) for 24 h are also presented     

Evaluation of dc insulation performance based on space-chargemeasurements and accelerated life tests

Space charge observation is becoming the most widely used technique to evaluate polymeric materials for dc insulation applications, particularly HV cables. However, quantities are still lacking that can help to summarize and interpret the huge amount of data resulting from space charge measurements, and that also are associated with the electrical performance of the insulation. The purpose of this paper is to propose test methods and parameters, based on the pulsed electroacoustic technique, which can be used for the evaluation of the electrical performance of polymeric insulation under dc fields. These parameters are related to the space charge magnitude and mobility as well as to the internal electric field amplification, the rate of charge accumulation, and the threshold field above which charge is stored in the insulation. In order to investigate the meaning of the parameters proposed for the assessment of insulation performance, the correlation between these parameters associated with space charge and insulation life is discussed. Examples are reported with reference to five different candidate materials for dc cable insulation     

热老化对纤维素绝缘纸的空间电荷及陷阱特性的影响

为理解变压器用纤维素绝缘纸在其热老化过程中的空间电荷特性演变规律及其影响机制,采用电声脉冲法研究不同老化程度绝缘纸在不同电压等级(30、15和5kV/mm)下的加压和去压后的电荷密度分布规律,分析了绝缘纸热老化程度与其空间电荷特性演变规律间的联系。结果表明:纤维素绝缘纸体内电荷注入量及注入速率与外施电场等级成正比关系。热老化能够降低纤维素绝缘纸空间电荷注入的起始阈值,并减缓绝缘纸体内电荷注入和迁移的速率,从而削弱了体内电荷的复合现象。随着热老化程度的增加,纤维素绝缘纸体内陷阱的分布密度和陷阱能级的深度都将增大,致使材料体内残留电荷不仅总量逐渐增大,而且衰减速率逐渐降低。研究成果为理解热老化对纤维素绝缘纸空间电荷积聚和消散的影响机制提供了理论支撑。     

A molecular model to evaluate the impact of aging on space chargesin polymer dielectrics

The understanding of space charge effects depends largely on how concurrent phenomena, such as thermal and electrical aging are understood. A model describing thermal and environmental aging of dielectric polymers is discussed. The model essentially is based on the rate theory associated with the name of Eyring. One basic feature of the model is that the proper energy term is a free energy of activation ΔG, which implies that the entropy change of the process cannot be neglected. Several examples are given to show that ΔG is related directly to some physical or chemical parameter involved in thermal or environmental aging. A model describing the mechanical aging of polymers is also discussed. It is shown that submicrocavities can be generated by mechanical stresses above a given critical level, the value of which depends on the energy of cohesion of the polymer. The size of these defects are in good agreement with the Griffith criterion. Finally, the same model adapted to electrical stresses is shown to describe the electrical aging of polyethylene. It predicts that the most deleterious influence of aging is above a given critical field (similar to the critical stress in mechanical aging), where submicrocavities are induced by the electromechanical forces associated with the ac field. Electrons can then move without scattering within the submicrocavities and this may lead to further degradation. The relations between thermal, mechanical and electrical aging and space charges in polymers are addressed briefly and domains requiring more work are mentioned     

茂金属聚乙烯改性低密度聚乙烯中电荷入陷与传输特性

聚合物的电性能与其物理、化学、微观结构密切相关.通过电声脉冲(PEA)法测量少量茂金属聚乙烯(MPE)与低密度聚乙烯(LDPE)共混物在不同场强作用下的去极化特性.根据空间电荷限制电流(SCLC)理论,通过公式推导求解共混物平均电荷体密度、视在迁移率、陷阱深度分布及阈值场强.结果表明,1%MPE与LDPE共混,能有效减少深陷阱密度,增加浅陷阱密度,提高电荷迁移率和阈值场强.     

Electrical tree initiation

This paper reviews the recent understanding of the initiation mechanisms of electrical trees and the phenomena occurring during the induction period in the discharge free condition. The importance of charge injection in electrical tree initiation is well established, not only under dc or impulse stresses, but also under ac stress. Electroluminescence can be used as a monitor for charge injection. Tree initiation from field enhancing locations under moderate stress proceeds through cumulative degradation reactions and cavity formation caused by injected charge. The dependence of tree initiation on temperature and the nature of dissolved gases, underline the importance of free volume processes, and therefore of polymer morphology. Electron avalanche type tree initiation is strongly influenced by field modification due to space charge and also by the size of the high field region     

Injection of a minimal space charge as mechanism for the initialphase of electrical polymer degradation

In this paper we present a model for polymer degradation during high-field stresses in analogy to the charge-to-breakdown concept in SiO ₂. The model is based on space charge injection under high fields which leads to a cumulative effect as in radiation damage. A critical total injected charge density Q_c is introduced, which is needed prior to any permanent damage. The assumption of a critical injection level explains the time and field dependence of the tree initiation time. The model is applied to electrical aging experiments in epoxy resins. It turns out that the critical charge for tree initiation is ~10 C/cm² similar to the value for trap creation in SiO₂ gate oxides     

油纸绝缘介质的空间电荷积聚与消散特性

油纸材料的绝缘问题在换流变压器、直流套管、直流电缆等高压大型直流设备大量应用的情况下显得十分突出。为探讨高压直流设备绝缘的最主要问题—空间电荷效应,应用电声脉冲法(PEA)对油纸绝缘材料的空间电荷特性进行了研究。有关外加场强对油纸材料中空间电荷积聚情况的影响和在较高场强下油纸材料的击穿破坏与空间电荷关系的研究结果表明:①低场强下油纸材料中空间电荷以电离产生为主;而在较高场强下,先后在阴极和阳极产生了同极性载流子注入。②相对于聚乙烯而言,由于油纸材料的电导率较大,材料内的空间电荷在外加电场撤去后很快消散。③空间电荷的注入和运动会导致油纸材料的劣化和破坏。油纸材料中的空间电荷快速消散现象有利于直流设备在极性反转条件下的运行,为阐释油纸绝缘良好的长期性能提供了有重要意义的试验依据。     

空间电荷与直流电导联合测试技术用于纳米MgO抑制XLPE中空间电荷的研究

粒径70nm的MgO以不同浓度与交联聚乙烯(XLPE)共混制成聚合物纳米复合介质。采用自主研发的四电极系统同时测量复合介质的高场电导特性和空间电荷分布。通过强场电导实验发现,在室温下,XLPE及纳米MgO/XLPE复合介质的电导机理不是单纯的空间电荷限制电流(SCLC)。此外,添加纳米MgO可以明显地提高空间电荷的注入阈值,并且在低于空间电荷注入阈值的电场下,复合介质的电导电流密度随纳米MgO浓度的增加,先减小后增大。最后从空间电荷的实验数据验证了纳米MgO能有效抑制XLPE中空间电荷,并进一步定性地认为纳米Mgo的添加提高了电子注入的电场强度阈值。     

Space charge in XLPE power cable under dc electrical stress andheat treatment

It is well known that the existence and accumulation of space charge in insulation can be harmful to polymer power cable. Although there is much research done on space charge distribution in various samples, there are still some important problems left unsolved, such as the mechanism of formation and elimination of space charge in dielectrics. Because of its superiority, the pulsed electro-acoustic (PEA) measurement method is used widely in the measurement of space charge in various geometries of samples such as the multiple layer plate and cylindrical cables. The space charge in crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) power cable under dc voltage and heat treatment is investigated by the PEA method in this paper. After heat treatment, the space charge, which previously formed in cable insulation under the applied voltage, disappears. If electrical stress is applied to the insulation again, space charge will appear once more. However, after the cable is heated and degassed in vacuum for a long time, no matter how long the dc voltage is applied to the cable, no more space charge will be formed in the cable. The mechanism of formation and elimination of space charge under the effect of electrical and thermal stress is discussed