New polyethylene materials for the improvement of design field in high voltage AC cables

This paper presents the results of electrical tests, including life tests, conduction and space charge measurements, which. have the purpose of characterising new high-performance materials for high-voltage AC cables. The materials examined consist of a reference cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) and XLPE containing an additive which was designed with the purpose of being able to migrate in low density regions of the insulation. Excellent life performances are achieved for the new material, while the amount of accumulated space charge and of the charging current is larger than for the reference, high-voltage grade, XLPE.