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    Cable Insulation Materials

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    KaarthicNatarajan
    The document discusses various materials used for cable insulation, including thermoplastics like PVC and PE, thermosettings like XLPE and EPR, and paper. PVC is the most common and affordable but produces toxic smoke when burned. PE has lower dielectric losses but is moisture sensitive. XLPE and EPR can withstand higher temperatures but have higher losses. Paper insulation requires fluid impregnation and protection from moisture. Each material has advantages and disadvantages for different cable applications and operating conditions.

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    Cable Insulation Materials

    Uploaded by

    KaarthicNatarajan
    261 views4 pages
    The document discusses various materials used for cable insulation, including thermoplastics like PVC and PE, thermosettings like XLPE and EPR, and paper. PVC is the most common and affordable but produces toxic smoke when burned. PE has lower dielectric losses but is moisture sensitive. XLPE and EPR can withstand higher temperatures but have higher losses. Paper insulation requires fluid impregnation and protection from moisture. Each material has advantages and disadvantages for different cable applications and operating conditions.

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    Cable_Insulation_Materials

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    The document discusses various materials used for cable insulation, including thermoplastics like PVC and PE, thermosettings like XLPE and EPR, and paper. PVC is the most common and affordable but produces toxic smoke when burned. PE has lower dielectric losses but is moisture sensitive. XLPE and EPR can withstand higher temperatures but have higher losses. Paper insulation requires fluid impregnation and protection from moisture. Each material has advantages and disadvantages for different cable applications and operating conditions.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    261 views4 pages

    Cable Insulation Materials

    Uploaded by

    KaarthicNatarajan
    The document discusses various materials used for cable insulation, including thermoplastics like PVC and PE, thermosettings like XLPE and EPR, and paper. PVC is the most common and affordable but produces toxic smoke when burned. PE has lower dielectric losses but is moisture sensitive. XLPE and EPR can withstand higher temperatures but have higher losses. Paper insulation requires fluid impregnation and protection from moisture. Each material has advantages and disadvantages for different cable applications and operating conditions.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Download as pdf or txt
    of 4

    Cable Insulation Materials

    The following materials are typically used for cable insulation:

    Thermoplastic
    Thermoplastic compounds are materials that go soft when heated and harden when cooled:

     PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) – is the most commonly used thermoplastic insulator for cables.

    It is cheap, durable and widely available. However, the chlorine in PVC (a halogen) causes

    the production of thick, toxic, black smoke when burnt and can be a health hazard in areas

    where low smoke and toxicity are required (e.g. confined areas such as tunnels). Normal

    operating temperatures are typically between 75C and 105C (depending on PVC type).
    Temperature limit is 160C (<300mm2) and 140C (>300mm2).

     PE (Polyethylene) – is part of a class of polymers called polyolefins. Polyethylene has lower

    dielectric losses than PVC and is sensitive to moisture under voltage stress (i.e. for high
    voltages only).

    Figure 2. LV/MV cable for outdoor usage with PE

    sheath
    Figure 1. Typical low voltage PVC cable

    Thermosetting
    Thermosetting compounds are polymer resins that are irreversibly cured (e.g. by heat in
    the vulcanization process) to form a plastic or rubber:

     XLPE (Cross-Linked Polyethylene) – has different polyethylene chains linked together

    (“cross-linking”) which helps prevent the polymer from melting or separating at elevated

    temperatures. Therefore XLPE is useful for higher temperature applications. XLPE has

    higher dielectric losses than PE, but has better ageing characteristics and resistance to

    water treeing. Normal operating temperatures are typically between 90C and 110C.
    Temperature limit is 250C.

     EPR (Ethylene Propylene Rubber) – is a copolymer of ethylene and propylene, and

    commonly called an “elastomer”. EPR is more flexible than PE and XLPE, but has higher

    dielectric losses than both. Normal operating temperatures are typically between 90C and
    110C. Temperature limit is 250C.

    Figure 3. 3-phase EPR insulated cable for MV Figure 4. MV cable with XLPE insulation, 33 kV

    Paper Based
    Paper Based insulation is the oldest type of power cable insulation and is still
    used mainly for high voltage cables. The paper insulation must be impregnated
    with a dielectric fluid (e.g. oil resin or a synthetic fluid). A lead sheath is
    commonly applied over the insulation to prevent water or moisture ingress into
    the paper insulation, which is sensitive to moisture.

    Figure 5. Oil filled paper insulated cable, 66 kV

    Comparison of Materials
    A comparison of common insulating materials is as follows:

    Material Advantages Disadvantages

     Highest dielectric losses


     Cheap
    PVC  Melts at high temperatures
     Durable
     Contains halogens
     Widely available
     Not suitable for MV / HV cables

     Lowest dielectric
     Highly sensitive to water treeing
    PE losses
     Material breaks down at high
     High initial dielectric
    temperatures
    strength
     Low dielectric losses

     Improved material

    properties at high  Medium sensitivity to water treeing


    XLPE
    temperatures (although some XLPE polymers are

     Does not melt but water-tree resistant)

    thermal expansion
    occurs

     Increased flexibility

     Reduced thermal

    EPR expansion (relative to  Medium-High dielectric losses

    XLPE)  Requires inorganic filler / additive

     Low sensitivity to
    water treeing

     Low-Medium dielectric  High weight

    losses  High cost


    Paper /
     Not harmed by DC  Requires hydraulic pressure / pumps
    Oil
    testing for insulating fluid

     Known history of  Difficult to repair

    reliability  Degrades with moisture

    Source:

    http://www.openelectrical.org/wiki/index.php?title=Cable_Insulation_Materials

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