Effect of Thermal Overload on the Voltage Breakdown Strength of Service-Aged URD Cables

Present industry specifications allow thermoset insulated polymeric cables to be subjected to emergency conductor temperatures of up to 130°C. The effect of the high temperatures on cable integrity has been questioned. This study shows that cyclic, long-term or fast-rise application of 130°C to service-aged, water treed underground residential distribution (URD), crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) insulated cables, result in an increase in dielectric strength. Contrary to what happens in new cables, an increase in temperature from ambient to 130°C also results in an increase in voltage breakdown strength. It appears that at high temperature, moisture and some remnant by-products of the crosslinking reaction such as volatiles, diffuse from the insulation, contributing to the higher levels of dielectric strength. It is shown that thermoplastic insulation shields on XLPE service-aged cables are adversely affected by emergency temperatures.