The Evolution of Medium Voltage Power Cables

This article introduces a survey on the state-of-the-art and the technological progress in medium-voltage (MV) power cables for distribution systems. At present, MV cable insulation technology is characterized by a changeover from the conventional lapped-paper, paper-insulated laminated (PIL), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) to tree-retardant cross-linked polyethylene (TRXLPE), and ethylene propylene rubber (EPR). The former types have many disadvantages such as high dielectric loss, high operating cost, and low power handling capability.