Water tree induced electrical changes in low density polyethylene

Water treeing may be induced in polymeric insulation by the synergistic effect of electrical stress and moisture. A study of electrical polarization and dielectric relaxation may be an effective way of evaluating factors affecting water treeing. For instance the presence of ionic salts has been identified as important and under suitable conditions such an electrical study may indicate the manner of transportation of ions in a polymer under electrical stress. Interpretation and development of diagnostic techniques based on electrical measurement would also rely on information from such studies