The evolution of polyolefin compounds for medium voltage cable applications

Over the last 30 years, XLPE power cables have been increasingly used in transmission and distribution systems. The generic term XLPE does not always refer to the same insulation material technology. Two major industrial processes are used to crosslink LDPE for medium voltage power cable applications peroxide crosslinking and silane crosslinking. It is important therefore, when referring to cable compounds and cable life experience, to remember that various compounds and crosslinking processes have not always reached the same level of development, nor have the same track record in cable life experience. It is the purpose of this paper to discuss the evolution and development over the last 15 years, of compounds intended for the peroxide crosslinking processes