Multiple stress aging of HV polymeric insulation

Four polymeric materials for high-voltage (HV) outdoor application are aged under climatic, mechanical and electrical stress factors. Two machines are used to age these materials under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Synergetic effects are found to exist when the mechanical aging factor and the UV stress are applied simultaneously. No such effects are measured when electric stress is combined with the other aging factors. The results of the test conducted with the two sources are compared and it is found that this type of aging is more efficiently performed with a xenon-arc lamp