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.).     

Space change behavior in full scale ±250 kV dc XLPE cables

Space charge in full size ±250 kV dc cables was measured using a pulse-electroacoustic method. Two newly developed types of dc XLPE cables with 20 mm thick insulation were subjected to measurements at a dc voltage of 500 kV, keeping the conductor temperature either at room temperature or at 85°C. Qualitative analyses of the space charge distribution and the quantitative analysis of the electric fields in the vicinity of semicon interfaces were made. It was shown that the field in the vicinity of the inner semiconductor tends to increase by 10 to 40% when the polarity of the applied voltage was switched, in the case when the conductor was kept at 85°C. However, the distortion of the electric field was significantly smaller than that expected with conventional XLPE cables. As a result, dc cables are considered to have stable dc characteristics from the viewpoint of space charge behavior. © 1998 Scripta Technica, Electr Eng Jpn, 124(2): 16–28, 1998     

Practical Application of ±250‐kV DC‐XLPE Cable for Hokkaido–Honshu HVDC Link

The long‐term dc properties of DC‐XLPE insulation materials, which have been developed for dc use, were investigated. It was found that the lifetime of DC‐XLPE under dc voltage application is extended by the addition of nano‐sized filler. The time dependence of the space charge distribution at 50 kV/mm was observed for 7 days. Almost no accumulation of space charge in DC‐XLPE was found. The 250‐kV DC‐XLPE cables and accessories were manufactured and subjected to a type test and PQ test for use in the Hokkaido–Honshu dc link facility owned by the Electric Power Development Co., Ltd. These tests were performed under conditions that included a polarity reversal test for line commutated converter (LCC) systems as recommended in CIGRE TB 219. The test temperature was 90 °C. The type test and PQ test were successfully completed. The DC‐XLPE cable and accessories were installed in summer 2012 for the Hokkaido–Honshu dc link. After the installation of the dc extruded cable system, a dc high‐voltage test at 362.5 kV (=1.45 PU) for 15 min was successfully completed in accordance with CIGRE TB 219. This dc extruded cable system was put into operation in December 2012 as the world's highest‐voltage extruded dc cable in service and the world's first dc extruded cable for a LCC system including polarity reversal operation.     

Selectivity of damped AC (DAC) and VLF voltages in after-laying tests of extruded MV cable systems

The purpose of HV after-laying tests on cable systems on-site is to check the quality of installation. The test on extruded MV cable systems is usually a voltage test. However, in order to enhance the quality of after installation many researchers have proposed performance of diagnosis tests such as detection, location and identification of partial discharges (PD) and tan /spl delta/ measurements. Damped AC voltage (DAC) also called oscillating voltage waves (OVW) is used for PD measurement in after-laying tests of new cables and in diagnostic test of old cables. Continuous AC voltage of very low frequency (VLF) is used for withstand voltage tests as well as for diagnostic tests with PD and tan /spl delta/ measurements. Review on the DAC and VLF tests to detect defects during on-site after-laying tests of extruded MV cable systems is presented. Selectivity of DAC and VLF voltages in after-laying testing depends on different test parameters. PD process depends on type and frequency of the test voltage and hence, the breakdown voltage is different. The withstand voltage of XLPE cable insulation decreases linearly with increasing frequency in log scale. Experimental studies with artificial XLPE cable model indicate that detection of defects with DAC or VLF voltage can be done at a lower voltage than with DC. DAC voltage is sensitive in detecting defects that cause a breakdown due to void discharge, while VLF is sensitive in detecting defects that cause breakdown directly led by inception of electrical trees.     

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XLPE电缆绝缘的介电击穿行为的研究

击穿强度通常是用来表征检测和使用过程中的绝缘材料状态和质量的指标之一。尽管有许多报道对聚乙烯(PE)和交联聚乙烯(XLPE)的击穿电压进行了研究,但是对热老化后的交联聚乙烯电缆的击穿行为的研究不是太多。表征威布尔统计分布参数,即范围和形状参数与分子结构、物理和化学缺陷的含量和形状以及其他的物理化学性能有密切的关系。本文的目的是研究不同热老化程度的XLPE电缆的威布尔统计分布参数的变化行为。研究结果显示威布尔参数变化对XLPE绝缘材料的热老化程度是非常敏感的,利用威布尔参数与热老化程度的关系可以有效地诊断PE和XLPE电缆绝缘材料。     

Long-term characteristics of XLPE cables

To study the long-term characteristics of XLPE cables installed in free air and in water, aging tests were conducted under various testing conditions using XLPE cables with both 3.5 mm and 6 mm insulation. From the Weibull plots of lifetime distribution under the voltage stress E_L as the minimum breakdown strength, the minimum value of time to breakdown t_L under the constant voltage was estimated. The results of accelerated aging tests of XLPE cables installed in free air demonstrated that the V-t characteristics of XLPE cables could not be described by the conventional inverse power law (t ∝ V⁻ⁿ) with a single constant life exponent n. Based on the microscopic observation of a sliced insulation removed from XLPE cables, it was concluded that bow-tie trees with longer tree length observed in cables tested in water were caused by the moisture from outside, whereas the trees in cables tested in free air were caused by the residual moisture originally existing in the insulation. The breakdown strength of the aged cables tested in water increases through cable drying. However, it does not recover to the original values.     

Fundamental insulation characteristic of high-pressure CO/sub 2/ gas under actual equipment conditions

SF₆ gas has been widely used in electrical power equipment such as circuit breakers and transformers due to its superior insulation and interruption characteristics. However since 1997, SF₆ gas has been designated a greenhouse gas subject to emission restrictions at COP3 (The 3rd session of the Conference Of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) so a new insulating gas is needed as a substitute for SF₆ gas. This research considers the use of high-pressure CO₂ gas as an insulator while stressing the environment aspects. Fundamental insulation data for the insulating gas acquired supposing gas insulated switchgears (GIS) consists of; (1) insulation breakdown characteristics under clean conditions and, (2) insulation breakdown characteristics with metallic particle contamination. The parameters in this case were assumed from an actual apparatus viewpoint, to be a high gas pressure up to 2.0 MPa, an electrode size capable of determining the surface area effect, the electrode surface roughness, and metallic particle length, etc. at the base electrode of the 72 kV GIS. As a result, experiments using these parameters revealed insulation characteristics for high-pressure CO₂ gas and that negative lightning impulse decided the insulation design, as well as the present SF₆ GIS. The need for taking measures to suppress PD under AC voltage and also the need for restricting metallic foreign particles around the central conductor and insulating spacer were recognized     

Some factors for the space charge formation in polyethylene

Information on space-charge behavior in thick insulated samples aids in understanding the dc characteristics of polymer-insulated dc cables. The pulsed electroacoustic method is used to investigate several space charge formation factors in 2 mm-thick polyethylene (PE). The following results were obtained. For measurement factors: (1) A polymeric semiconducting electrode provides a more accurate measurement than does a metal electrode as a result of better matching of acoustic impedance with PE. (2) Within a dc electrical stress range of several tens kV/mm, the space charge distributions under and after dc voltage application are almost the same; this is due to a comparatively long time of space-charge decay. (3) The space-charge distribution of a plate sample agrees with that of a cable sample having the same insulation thickness. For insulating material factors: (1) The amount of space charge in crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) is much larger than that in low-density PE (base of XLPE). The space charge of XLPE continues to increase even after dc voltage application (24 h); that of LDPE reaches equilibrium with a few hours. (2) The aforementioned space charge difference between XLPE and LDPE is assumed to be caused by ionic impurities in XLPE, not by the additives themselves (acetophenon and cumylalcohol as byproducts of cross linking and antioxidant).     

Study on the dielectric characteristics of DC XLPE cables

The DC characteristics of XLPE (crosslinked polyethylene) power cables were investigated. Cables with an insulation thickness of 2.5 mm, 9 mm, and 13 mm using either XLPE or conductive-inorganic-filled XLPE (XL-A) were manufactured, and four kinds of breakdown tests (DC, polarity reversal, impulse, and superposing opposite polarity impulse on DC prestress) were performed. A 250 kV, XL-A cable (20 mm thickness) was designed and manufactured using the results. The test results show that the XL-A cable possesses much better DC breakdown characteristics than the XLPE cable and is adequate for use in DC cables     

场强的提高对局部放电测试的影响

局部放电 (PD)是检测 XL PE电缆缺陷的一种重要手段 ,缺陷会造成电缆的局部场强的不均匀 ,在施加外部电压后引起局部放电的现象。本文提出 :在 XL PE电缆承受耐压的过程中 ,采用提高场强的方法 ,能更有效地发现 PD缺陷 ,从而降低 XL PE电缆在运行中的击穿事故。     

Evidence of strong correlation between space-charge buildup andbreakdown in cable insulation

Many processes have been considered over the years to explain the origin of breakdown in cable insulation. Such effects as space charge build-up, tree growth, charge injection, etc. have all been discussed. Various techniques are now available to measure, in a nondestructive way, space charge distributions in insulators. These techniques, for instance the pressure wave propagation (PWP) method, can be used under applied electric stress and thus make it possible to follow the development of space charge in selected regions of the insulators. In this paper we present new evidence linking space charge buildup, tree growth and breakdown in XLPE. We have used the PWP method to monitor the charge distribution as a function of time under dc stress in high insulating thickness cable. We show that for certain insulation systems the space charge buildup can increases the local field to a value which is more than 8× the applied electric field, leading to breakdown. Post-mortem analysis followed by optical microscopy shows the presence of electrical trees, the breakdown channel being centered on one of them. The study of space charge evolution in practical insulations permits an understanding of the role of space charge in dc breakdowns. This understanding enables the development of technologies to suppress this effect and hence realize practical dc XLPE transmission cables     

±320kV直流电缆交联聚乙烯/三元乙丙橡胶附件击穿特性

高压直流电缆接头与终端为电缆系统故障的多发点,其击穿强度为直流输电系统安全稳定运行的重要基础。文中以±320 kV高压直流海底电缆中交联聚乙烯(cross linked polyethylene,XLPE)/三元乙丙橡胶(ethylene propylene diene monomer,EPDM)附件为研究对象。首先,研究电缆及附件负荷循环耐压试验,发现附件界面为击穿薄弱环节;其次,研究绝缘材料电导率随温度变化特性对电场分布的影响规律,通过有限元仿真模拟电缆空载和满载运行时附件的温度分布与电场分布,发现最大电场出现在电缆绝缘靠近附件应力锥一侧,为29.5 kV/mm,低于附件材料的击穿场强;最后,研究界面在直流电场下空间电荷特性对电场分布规律的影响,通过电声脉冲法测试复合叠层片状样品介质界面的空间电荷及其电场分布,发现场强畸变率约为100%~200%。同材料本征绝缘匹配相比,界面空间电荷积聚对附件内部电场造成的畸变程度更严重,在后续附件提升中应更注重开发抑制空间电荷的绝缘材料。     

Electric fields in HVDC paper-insulated cables

HVDC cables start playing a more and more important role in interconnecting national grids. This paper deals with the calculation of electric fields in HVDC cables. The calculation of fields in an HVDC cable is far more complex than the equivalent case in HV ac cables. This is due to the fact that the conductivity of the cable insulation is temperature and field dependent and due to the fact that the electric fields under dc voltage may be time-dependent. The field distribution in an HVDC cable may be of a capacitive, intermediate (and time-dependent) or resistive nature. The kind of field depends on the stage the cable finds itself in: for instance, whether the voltage has just been applied, whether a polarity reversal has occurred or whether the field distribution has become stable. For each stage, the method of calculating, together with the computed results on a real HVDC cable are discussed. Usually, the effect of heating of the insulation by the leakage current may be disregarded. However, in certain cases, i.e. the cable temperature and applied voltage are high enough, the field distribution is influenced by these insulation losses. They even may lead to an instability that causes breakdown of the cable. A cable in service may be subjected to impulses superimposed on the dc voltage. The most severe case is that of an impulse superimposed on a dc voltage of opposite polarity. The calculation of the field distribution in this situation also is carried out     

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。     

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.     

我国高压及超高压交联聚乙烯绝缘电力电缆的应用与发展

本文介绍我国 110 k V及 2 2 0 k V交联聚乙烯 (XL PE)绝缘电缆及其附件的发展。高压 XL PE电缆是我国城市电网建设与改造工程采用地下电缆输电系统的首选产品。本文叙述 XL PE电缆的绝缘设计原则、绝缘质量控制要求 ,特别是绝缘中杂质、微孔以及绝缘与半导电屏蔽界面的微孔与凸起、绝缘收缩与交联工艺的关系 ,及电缆附件的选型与预制附件橡胶应力锥的设计方法。介绍了我国特大城市 ,上海、北京与广州高压电缆系统的应用情况。最后对我国 110 k V及 2 2 0 k V XL PE电缆及附件进一步发展以及 5 0 0 k V XL PE电缆系统发展与应用前景作了预测     

Correlation between tan δ diagnostic measurements and breakdown performance at VLF for MV XLPE cables

The main contribution of this paper is to investigate the correlation between Tan ? diagnostic measurements at 0.1 Hz (Very Low Frequency-VLF) and VLF breakdown performance for Medium Voltage (MV) cable samples through a laboratory test program. The cable samples used are a set of 15 kV, Cross-linked Polyethylene (XLPE), unjacketed cables removed from the field, the same service area, and having experienced similar operating conditions for almost four decades. The test program includes Tan δmeasurements at different voltage levels and a subsequent VLF extended step-withstand test. The VLF step test allows the evaluation of risk of failure during VLF Tan δtesting and assessment of the ultimate performance of the cables. The Tan ? diagnostic measurements are represented by the Tan δvalue and Tip-up, which are considered the classical metrics. However, the paper also suggests the use of a new additional diagnostic feature that takes into account the scatter in the Tan δmeasurements for a particular test voltage level.     

Electroluminescence technique to evaluate the effect of impulsetests on high voltage cables

EL (electroluminescence) in XLPE (crosslinked polyethylene) subjected to impulses of various amplitudes, shapes and repetition rates has been investigated. Defects that could occur in the polymeric insulation of underground HV cables were simulated by embedding semicon protrusions in XLPE to create highly divergent electric fields. Time resolved measurement of the EL pulses emitted during positive, negative or alternating polarity impulses has shown that the EL pulses are grouped into two distinct time periods between which there is no EL activity. The EL emission probability increased with fall time of the impulse voltage but was independent of the impulse rise time. A study of electroluminescence characteristics from unaged and aged XLPE, subjected to a pair of positive and negative impulses, indicated that the charge trapped in the polymeric insulation during aging plays an important role during impulse application and could affect insulation failure