Analysis of water trees in underground HV cables using the KFUPM micro-PIXE facility

Author

Ahmed, M. ; Al-Ohali, M.A. ; Garwan, M.A. ; Al-Soufi, K. ; Narasimhan, S.

Author_Institution

Centre for Applied Phys. Scis., King Fahd Univ. of Pet. & Miner., Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

Volume

6

Issue

1

fYear

1999

fDate

2/1/1999 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

95

Lastpage

99

Abstract

Scanning with the micro-PIXE technique was employed to analyze water trees in the XLPE insulation of a field-aged underground HV cable. X-ray spectra of bow tie and vented water trees, the inner and outer semiconductive compounds, and an insulation spot free from any water tree were acquired. Simultaneously, two-dimensional elemental distribution profiles across the water trees were also measured. Various trace element impurities were identified in the analyzed spots and their possible sources are suggested. Differences in elemental distribution profiles in the scanned areas were observed and have been discussed on the basis of the mechanism of incorporation of these elements into the insulation. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of the micro-PIXE facility available in this laboratory in analyzing water trees in underground power cables

Keywords

X-ray chemical analysis; XLPE insulation; ageing; power cable insulation; power cable testing; trees (electrical); underground cables; underground transmission systems; KFUPM micro-PIXE facility; X-ray spectra; XLPE insulation; bow tie water trees; field-aged power cable; inner semiconductive compounds; outer semiconductive compounds; trace element impurities; two-dimensional elemental distribution profiles; underground HV cables; vented water trees; water trees; Cable insulation; Electric breakdown; Impurities; Laboratories; Microscopy; Minerals; Sea measurements; Trees - insulation; Underground power cables; Underwater cables;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1070-9878

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/94.752015

Filename

752015