Study on influence of SiO2 nano particles on the failure of XLPE underground cables due to electrical treeing [articol]

Abstract

In the present work, electrical treeing analysis of the pure and nano filled Cross Linked Polyethylene (XLPE) material has been studied. The electrical tree inception time, breakdown time and propagation speed of the nano filled XLPE insulation has been investigated. Nano Silicone Oxide (SiO2) was used as a filler material. Nano-fillers were added at different concentrations of 1% and 3% by weight in the base material. Laboratory experiments were conducted as per IEC procedures at 12 kV AC voltage magnitude. Tree structure was observed for all the test samples. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) carried out for understanding the dispersion of nano fillers in the nano filled material. Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), volume resistivity, capacitance and dielectric constant test were carried out to understand the physical and chemical characteristics of the nano filled XLPE material.