Experimental and predicted XLPE cable insulation properties under UV radiation

Abstract

This paper deals with the behavior of the crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) used as high-voltage power cable insulation under ultraviolet (UV) radiations. For this, XLPE samples have been irradiated for 240 h using low-pressure vapor fluorescent lamps. Electrical (surface and volume resistivities), mechanical (tensile strength, elongation at break and surface hardness) and physical (weight loss, water absorption, work of water adhesion and contact angle) tests have been first carried out. Experimental results show that the XLPE characteristics are affected by UV radiation. Indeed, a decline in surface resistivity, mechanical properties, and contact angle, and an increase in the water retention amount and weight loss have been recorded. In order to predict and extrapolate some XLPE properties, a supervised artificial neural network (ANN) trained by Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm has been designed. The collected database is used to train and test the ANN performance. The obtained results show that the proposed ANN algorithm presents good estimation and prediction since the predicted output values agree with the experimental data.

Application and Suitability of Polymeric Materials as Insulators in Electrical Equipment

“…However, it was discovered that with 1.5% aluminum oxide, improved mechanical, burning rate, and dielectric breakdown compared to Zinc oxide and organoclay. Hedir et al [80] irradiated the crosslinked polyethylene (XLDPE) with fluorescent lamps for 240 h. The results show a decline in resistivity, mechanical properties, and contact angle, increasing water retention and weight loss. Yasmin and Daniel [81] and Yang et al [82] attributed that the tensile strength and elastic modulus can be increased by adding fillers at optimum content.…”