Research on treeing retardant performance and test protocol of Medium Voltage XLPE power cables

With the rapid growth of medium voltage underground distribution networks in China, XLPE power cables have been batch used in urban power supply grids in recent years, and the utilities are beginning to focus on increasing the serve life and operation reliability for medium voltage (MV) cables to minimize service interruptions and lower overall lifetime costs of the distribution system. A research project fixed on the treeing retardant performance of XLPE material used for MV power cables have been finished for above purpose, the research results have demonstrated the relationship of the electrical performance, ultimate operation life and the water tree retardant performance of the XLPE MV power cables, and the related qualification test program used in this research project was also accepted by performance protocols recommendation to the utilities in practice.