Discharge Characteristics of Non-Cross Linked Polyethylene for a Power Cable

The XLPE (Cross Linked Polyethylene) is widely used to fabricate the sheath of power cable for its excellent electrical characteristics. However, the XLPE may cause environmental disruption and electrical aging due to its thermosetting property and included impurities created during a manufacturing process. A study on the development of a non-cross linked polyolefin material is conducted as a substitute material for XLPE material by the research project, 'Development of non-cross linked polymetric insulators for eco-friendly distribution power cable' supported by Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP). In this study, experiments on the newly developed non cross linked polyolefin material and the conventional XLPE material are conducted in accordance with the standards of ASTM D-149 and the experimental results are compared with each other. Also, dielectric experiments by using several kinds of electrode systems made with stainless steel in silicone oil are conducted under AC voltage condition and the experimental results are analyzed by the Weibull distribution.