Evaluation of a New Material for Semiconducting Layer in XLPE Power Cables

A new material for the semiconducting layer on crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) power cable was evaluated through water treeing tests. Since the new material contains only fifteen percent carbon black by weight, it can be cleaned by screening. Thus the material has less contaminants at the semiconducting-insulating layer interface. Water treeing tests showed that the number of water trees grown in the new material was one hundredth of those in the conventional material. Addition of a curing agent to the new material decreased the water tree number another one tenth. The new material with curing agent should prevent water tree growth in XLPE power cables.