XLPE Insulation Degradation Under High Frequency Stresses

The effect of higher frequency voltages on performance of XLPE insulation is presented in this paper. The ageing effects, space charge accumulation and partial discharge effects are investigated. The inverse power law is used to calculate the damage caused by a sinusoidal waveform using the voltage endurance coefficient observed by past researchers. The space charge accumulated by a cycle of sinusoidal voltage is calculate by finite element method (FEM) simulations. Laboratory experiments were carried out on XLPE samples with needle electrode insertions, to investigate effect of frequency on partial discharge inception voltage (PDIV), partial discharge extinction voltage (PDEV) and phase resolved partial discharge (PRPD). Based on the above theoretical calculations and laboratory calculations shows the detrimental effects of high frequency components in smart grids on XLPE cable insulation.