Dealing with interface problems in polymer cable terminations

Polymer technology has shown good performance and has certain advantages over ceramic technology in insulators. However, it often comes with a potentially weak point, i.e., the interface between two solid insulators. In The Netherlands, a cascade of 150 kV termination breakdowns occurred several years ago. The present paper gives the results of the research and precautions that were undertaken after those events. The problems started at the interfaces of these components, as will be explained. The investigation and monitoring of terminations is also described.