Influence of aging by partial discharges on resistivity of polyethylene

Polyethylene insulated power cables are recently used more and more commonly due to its ease of maintenance. Despite its excellent electrical properties (low loss factor, high electric strength) polyethylene insulation turned out to be comparatively less resistant to the long-term action of such agents as an electric field, partial discharges, moisture and increased temperature. The purpose of the paper is to attempt to apply the volume resistivity test to detect degradation changes inside polyethylene insulation under the partial discharge action. The present data show the usefulness of resistivity measurements in detection of minute changes inside the polyethylene insulation caused by partial discharge aging