Effect of temperature on the growth of vented water trees in laboratory molded polyethylene specimens

摘要

The deleterious effect of vented water trees on the insulation of polymeric high voltage cables has been known for over fifteen years. Extensive studies of this phenomenon in different laboratories around the world have produced a very large volume of data some of which are contradictory. A prime example is the reported effects of temperature on water tree initiation and growth. Although many researchers have found treeing and related processes to speed up with temperature there are a number of studies which show the opposite [1]. Understanding the effect of temperature is essential as temperature is one of the major stresses on the insulation during service.