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.     

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。     

Development of New Diagnostic Method for Hot-Line XLPE Cables with Water Trees

A new insulation diagnostic method for XLPE cables containing water trees is presented. A dc component in the ac charging current of these cables was found to be a significant sign of the existence of water trees. The dc component has good correlations with such insulation characteristics of aged XLPE cables as ac breakdown voltage and dc leakage current. Criteria for insulation diagnosis of 6.6kV XLPE cables have been established. An automatic insulation diagnostic device has been developed. It is now being applied to hot-line XLPF cables in distribution systems of TEPCO (The Tokyo Electric Power Co., Inc.).     

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     

高压XLPE电缆绝缘V t特性研究综述

交联聚乙烯（cross linked polyethylene,XLPE）绝缘电力电缆是输电线路的重要电 力设备。针对高压交流和直流电缆系统的运行现状,介绍了运用V t特性（击穿电压与击穿时间的关系）曲线描述XLPE电缆绝缘的电老化寿命模型,分析了国内外高压交、直流XLPE电缆绝缘V t特性的研究方法及相关结果。已有的研究结果表明,交流XLPE电缆绝缘的电老化寿命指数n值在9~25之间,直流XLPE电缆绝缘的电老化寿命指数n值在13~20之间。国内目前尚未见有关直流电缆绝缘V t特性研究的文献报道。     

Investigation of Water Tree Degradation in Dry‐Cured and Extruded Three‐Layer (E‐E Type) 6.6‐kV Removed XLPE Cables

Dry‐cured and extruded three‐layer (E‐E type) 6.6‐kV cross‐linked polyethylene (XLPE) cables were introduced into electric power systems more than 30 years ago, but they do not experience failures because of water tree degradation. Also, the degradation index of water treeing for these cables has not been established. Therefore, investigating results of residual breakdown voltage and water tree degradation of these cables will help us plan for cable replacement and determine water tree degradation diagnosis scheduling, and will be fundamental data for cable lifetime evaluation. In this study, the authors measured the ac breakdown voltages of dry‐cured and E‐E type 6.6‐kV XLPE cables removed after 18 to 25 years of operation and observed the water trees in their XLPE insulation. As a result, it was observed that breakdown voltages were larger than the maximum operating voltage (6.9 kV) and the ac voltage for the dielectric withstanding test (10.3 kV). Water trees were mainly bow‐tie water trees and their maximum length was approximately 1 mm. Although the number of measured cables was limited, the lifetime of this type of cable was estimated to be approximately 40 years, even experiencing water immersion.     

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.     

NaCl溶液对XLPE电力电缆工频击穿特性和水树的影响

采用同一根抗水树XLPE电力电缆,分别在自来水和NaCl溶液中进行60 d、120 d和180 d的加速老化试验,然后对老化前和老化后的电缆试样,分别进行工频逐级击穿,对老化后击穿的电缆试样进行水树检查。试验结果表明,NaCl溶液对抗水XLPE电力电缆的老化有明显的作用。     

Investigation of water effects on degradation of crosslinkedpolyethylene (XLPE) insulation

This paper presents the results of the study of the influence of moisture on the electrical characteristics of XLPE power cable insulation under various service conditions. Tap water was put into the cable conductors and the ends were properly closed by terminal boxes in the first case, and opened in the second case. The samples of cables were subjected to electric stress and heating. Results from the accelerated aging tests of XLPE cables in these conditions are reported with reference to the changing of the XLPE's electrical characteristics. On the basis of the compared performances of XLPE cables given by this investigation, the lifetime of XLPE cables was estimated in the case of service under these conditions. Results of testing indicate that the combined effects of pressure of water or water vapour, electric field and temperature will greatly accelerate the deterioration of XLPE insulation     

硫化工艺对抗水树交联聚乙烯绝缘电力电缆工频击穿性能的影响

为了研究不同硫化工艺对抗水树枝交联聚乙烯绝缘电缆击穿性能的影响,建立了相应的试验手段和评价程序。将使用相同导体屏蔽料、抗水树绝缘料、绝缘屏蔽料,并采用5种不同硫化工艺(A、B、C、D、E)生产的电压等级、型号规格相同且结构相似的电缆作为研究对象,每种电缆取6段作样品,共30段。分别对老化前和老化180d后的5种样品进行工频击穿试验,并观察击穿后样品切片的水树枝、界面微孔、突起和绝缘中的微孔、杂质。试验结果表明:经过180d的加速老化后,5种样品中均无微孔、界面光滑、有少量尺寸较小的杂质,不会导致击穿性能下降;不同硫化工艺生产的电缆工频击穿性能表现出明显差异,其中,A硫化工艺生产的电缆工频击穿强度下降了53.53%,击穿后的样品中观察到了水树枝,B、C硫化工艺生产的电缆工频击穿强度也有不同程度的下降,而D、E硫化工艺生产的电缆的工频击穿强度没有降低,说明硫化工艺对工频击穿强度有直接的影响,并建议实际生产中确定硫化工艺时,各区温度设定应逐渐降低,且初始硫化温度不应过低,生产线速度应适当。     

XLPE电缆电树枝二次生长特性分析(英文)

In order to study the growth characteristics of electrical trees in XLPE cable under secondary applied voltage, a short cable metal needle defect test device is adopted to study the growth characteristics of the new trees after the electrical trees in XLPE cable under the action of the voltage of 12 kV are influenced by secondary applied voltage (15 kV). The research results show that influenced by secondary applied voltage and voltage increase rate, there will be a peculiar "bush-branch" electrical tree in XLPE cable insulation layer and the new trees under secondary applied voltage have the characteristics of short initiation time, fast growth rate and narrow discharge channel, etc, which shows that secondary applied voltage has a great effect on the secondary initiation and growth of electrical trees in XLPE cable and it is an important factor of accelerating cable aging and breakdown.     

Metallic particle motion and breakdown characteristics in GIS with 0.1‐Hz VLF (very low frequency) high voltage applied

VLF (Very Low Frequency) high voltage with frequency of 0.1 Hz will be utilized for an on‐site test of XLPE underground cables, instead of conventional dc high voltage test. Since XLPE cables are connected to GIS (Gas Insulated Switchgears) in substations, the influence of VLF voltage application to GIS insulation should be investigated. One of the most important characteristics for GIS insulation lies in the metallic particle contamination and its behavior, which may induce breakdown in GIS. From the above viewpoint, this paper discusses the metallic particle behavior and breakdown characteristics under VLF voltage application in GIS. Experimental results revealed that (1) Particle motion under VLF condition was similar to that under dc condition, while specific in the transient behavior at the polarity reversal. (2) Breakdown was induced by particles located in the vicinity of high voltage conductor at the instance of crossing the gap or in the firefly conditions. (3) Breakdown voltage in positive half cycle was higher than that in negative half cycle at the lower gas pressure, while lower at the higher gas pressure, which was attributed to the particle behavior and the breakdown mechanism of SF₆ gas. Consequently, metallic particles in GIS under VLF voltage application exhibited the specific behavior associated with the slow change of instantaneous voltage and polarity, and resulted in the complex pressure dependence of breakdown characteristics. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 139(4): 33–40, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.1166     

Effect of Thermal Overload on the Voltage Breakdown Strength of Service-Aged URD Cables

Present industry specifications allow thermoset insulated polymeric cables to be subjected to emergency conductor temperatures of up to 130°C. The effect of the high temperatures on cable integrity has been questioned. This study shows that cyclic, long-term or fast-rise application of 130°C to service-aged, water treed underground residential distribution (URD), crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) insulated cables, result in an increase in dielectric strength. Contrary to what happens in new cables, an increase in temperature from ambient to 130°C also results in an increase in voltage breakdown strength. It appears that at high temperature, moisture and some remnant by-products of the crosslinking reaction such as volatiles, diffuse from the insulation, contributing to the higher levels of dielectric strength. It is shown that thermoplastic insulation shields on XLPE service-aged cables are adversely affected by emergency temperatures.     

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.     

Development of 500-kV XLPE cables and accessories for long distanceunderground transmission line-Part I: insulation design of cables

This paper discusses the results of a basic study for the development of 500 kV XLPE power cables. The authors have established that the factors that decide the performance of today's XLPE cables are impurities in the insulator and protrusions on the semiconductive layer, and that the insulation performance of XLPE power cables is determined by the size of these defects. In model tests of XLPE power cables, the minimum insulation breakdown stress of cables was determined, to set the design values for 500 kV XLPE cable. As a result, it was found that it is possible to design cables having an insulation thickness of 25 mm     

Severe degradation of the conductor screen of service and laboratory aged medium voltage XLPE insulated cables

The main purpose of this paper is to show the strong correlation between corrosion of the metallic aluminum conductor and the formation of interconnected cracks / voids in the conductor screen, creating initiation sites for vented water trees in service aged medium voltage XLPE cables. The results show that porous structures in the conductor screen previously reported for laboratory aged insulation systems, also develop in the conductor screen in service aged medium voltage XLPE cables. These structures can bridge the screen and serve as path for contaminants and corrosion products from the aluminum conductor and initiate water trees. A prerequisite for the formation of such structures is the presence of liquid water at the interface between the conductor and conductor screen causing corrosion. The initiation site of such structures has been identified, and is likely caused by environmental stress cracking (ESC). Initiation sites were determined in all cables, but porous structures in the conductor screen were only observed in the cable suffered from service failure, where liquid water had entered the cable conductor between the strands. Severe degradation of the XLPE insulation was observed at the initiation sites for water trees growing from these structures.     

Development of a hot-line diagnostic method for XLPE cables and themeasurement results

Hot-line diagnosis is needed to avoid breakdowns of XLPE (cross-linked polyethylene) cables due to water trees. The authors superposed a low DC voltage on an AC commercial voltage, measured the DC component of the current which passed through the insulation, and discovered that the DC component had a close relationship with the degradation caused by water trees. A hot-line diagnostic measurement system based on this DC superposition method was developed. The old cables that were removed and cables now in use were measured with the system; the results are reported     

基于电热加速老化试验的XLPE电缆绝缘性能研究

为了掌握电缆绝缘性能与温度之间的关系,在实验室对运行年限不同的10 kV高压XLPE电缆进行电热加速老化试验,测量不同的载流量下电缆分别在空气和沙土中的温度变化数据。试验测量数据和温升曲线表明,运行中电缆的温度变化与所加载的流量和周围环境介质均有关系,运行年限相同的电缆在空气中的温度变化较在沙土中的要大,运行年限越久的电缆不论在空气中还是在沙土中温升都较快。基于电热加速老化试验方法研究运行年限不同的电缆的温度变化情况,为电缆绝缘性能的判断提供参考依据。     

Development of 500-kV XLPE cables

A 500-kV XLPE insulated cable with an insulation thickness of 27 mm has been developed for long-distance transmission lines. Basic studies on the 500-kV XLPE cable have shown that contaminants in the insulation may determine electrical performance. This hypothesis is justified by the good correlation obtained between statistical estimations of the size of the largest contaminant in the insulation and electrical characteristics of full-size cables. Voltage-withstand and long-term tests have confirmed design values for minimum breakdown stress, ac and impulse voltage, and degradation coefficients. © 1997 Scripta Technica, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 118 (1): 28–40, 1997     

Influence of temperature and water on the breakdown electric field strength of XLPE cables under divergent fields

The present paper introduces experimental results on treeing breakdown phenomena in actual power cables. Using a water capillary electrode, cable samples immersed in silicone oil have been tested by alternating (50 Hz) and direct voltage stresses. Examination of the needle geometrical breakdown electric field strength resulted in a detailed analysis of the influence of temperature and the presence of water on the breakdown of XLPE cables under divergent fields.