Effects of corona on vinyl tapes

Pressure sensitive vinyl tapes are extensively used as an outer wrap for cable splices and terminations, and for bus bar insulation and other high voltage applications. For such service, resistance to corona is an important factor. However, most published information on corona resistance is concerned with polyethylene and insulations other than vinyl .This paper is a preliminary report of a study which has three related objectives: (a) to obtain meaningful data on comparative long time corona resistance; (b) to determine the best configuration of the unavoidable lap joints in taped constructions; and (c) to determine the chemical and physical mechanism of corona failure as a basis for developing improved products.