Showing papers in "IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation in 2005"

Proposal of a multi-core model for polymer nanocomposite dielectrics

Abstract: A multi-core model, i.e. a simplified term of a multi-layered core model, is proposed as a working hypothesis to understand various properties and phenomena that polymer nanocomposites exhibit as dielectrics and electrical insulation. It gives fine structures to what are called "interaction zones". An interfacial layer of several tens nm is multi-layered, which consists of a bonded layer, a bound layer, and a loose layer. In addition, the Gouy-Chapman diffuse layer with the Debye shielding length of several tens to 100 nm is superimposed in the interfacial layer to cause a far-field effect. Nano-particles may interact electrically with the nearest neighbors each other due to this effect, resulting in possible collaborative effect. Such a multi-core model with the far-field effect is discussed, for example, to explain partial discharge (PD) resistance of polyamide layered silicate nanocomposites, and is verified to demonstrate its effectiveness.

Dielectric nanocomposites with insulating properties

Abstract: Polymer nanocomposites possess promising high performances as engineering materials, if they are prepared and fabricated properly. Some work has been recently done on such polymer nanocomposites as dielectrics and electrical insulation. This was reviewed in 2004 based on the literatures published up to 2003. New significant findings have been added since then. Furthermore, a multi-core model with the far-distance effect, which is closely related to an "interaction zones", has been proposed from consideration of mesoscopic analysis of electrical and chemical structures of an existing interface with finite thickness. It is speculatively examined in the paper how the model works for various properties and phenomena already found in nanocomposites as dielectrics focusing on electrical characteristics, resistance to high voltage environment, and thermal properties.

Polymer nanocomposite dielectrics-the role of the interface

Abstract: The incorporation of silica nanoparticles into polyethylene increased the breakdown strength and voltage endurance significantly compared to the incorporation of micron scale fillers. In addition, dielectric spectroscopy showed a decrease in dielectric permittivity for the nanocomposite over the base polymer, and changes in the space charge distribution and dynamics have been documented. The most significant difference between micron scale and nanoscale fillers is the tremendous increase in interfacial area in nanocomposites. Because the interfacial region (interaction zone) is likely to be pivotal in controlling properties, the bonding between the silica and polyethylene was characterized using Fourier transformed infrared (FTTR) spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The picture which is emerging suggests that the enhanced interfacial zone, in addition to particle-polymer bonding, plays a very important role in determining the dielectric behavior of nanocomposites.

Charge transport modeling in insulating polymers: from molecular to macroscopic scale

Abstract: More than fifty years after the publication of the early work on conduction and dielectric breakdown of solids, we are still unable to describe quantitatively the electrical response of these materials. During this period of time, concepts derived from semiconductor physics have been transposed to the case of insulating solids, and among them, to polymers. Alternative descriptions have been proposed as well. In spite of this, there is still no agreement on how to describe charge transport and there is still some controversy as regards the applicability of semiconductors physics to the case of disordered insulating materials and in particular to polymers used in electrical engineering applications. The last twenty years have been marked by the publication of excellent review papers summarizing the physical concepts available to describe charge transport. Enormous steps forward have been achieved as regards computing facilities and our ability to spatially map the space charge, quantitatively, inside dielectric materials. We consider these two factors as fundamental in providing possibilities for developing sound models of charge transport, by using the basis of fundamental knowledge that has been accumulated in the previous years, and by coupling up-to-date techniques in experiments and in simulation. In this paper, which is not a review of either the published work on modeling or of new concepts in dielectric physics, we emphasize recent progress in the field of atomistic and macroscopic modeling and we discuss challenges based on such approaches that, we think, constitute a direction for future research.

Partial discharge diagnostics and electrical equipment insulation condition assessment

Abstract: Partial discharge (PD) measurement has long been used as a test to evaluate different insulation system designs, and as a quality control test for new equipment. However, in the past 20 years, PD measurement has been widely applied to diagnose the condition of the electrical insulation in operating apparatus such as switchgear, transformers, cables, as well as motor and generator stator windings. Improvements in the capabilities as well the lower cost of sensors, electronics and memory is partly the reason for the increased popularity of PD diagnostics. Another reason has been the development of methods-including the use of ultrawide band detection-to improve the reliability of the PD measurement in the presence of noise. In addition, rapid progress is being made in automated pattern recognition techniques that also helps to suppress noise. This paper reviews the various PD measurement technologies that have been specifically developed to improve PD diagnostic methods, and outlines how they have been implemented for stators, cables, transformers and switchgear. Areas for further research are also presented.

Trends in partial discharge pattern classification: a survey

Abstract: Partial discharge (PD) detection, measurement and classification constitute an important tool for quality assessment of insulation systems utilized in HV power apparatus and cables. The patterns obtained with PD detectors contain characteristic features of the source/class of the respective partial discharge process involved. The recognition of the source from the data represents the classification stage. Usually, this stage consists of a two-step procedure, i.e., extraction of feature vector from the data followed by classification/recognition of the corresponding source. The various techniques available for achieving the foregoing task are examined and analyzed; while limited success has been achieved in the identification of simple PD sources, recognition and classification of complex PD patterns associated with practical insulating systems continue to pose appreciable difficulty.

Improvement of electromechanical actuating performances of a silicone dielectric elastomer by dispersion of titanium dioxide powder

Abstract: This paper presents the first reported data on the embedding of highly dielectric ceramic inclusions in a rubbery host medium as a means to increase the electromechanical material response for dielectric elastomer actuation. The studied polymer/ceramic composite, consisting of a silicone matrix in which titanium dioxide powder was dispersed, exhibited, in comparison with pure silicone, a decreased elastic modulus, as well as an increased dielectric constant. The measured low frequency permittivity resulted in accordance with several classical dielectric mixing rules. The use of this material as elastomeric dielectric for planar actuators enabled a reduction of the driving electric fields, so that a transverse strain of 11% at 10 V//spl mu/m and a transverse stress of 16.5 kPa at 9 V//spl mu/m were obtained. These levels of strain and stress were respectively more than eight and four times higher than the corresponding values generated with the pure polymer matrix for analogous electrical stimuli.

Partial discharges at DC voltage: their mechanism, detection and analysis

Abstract: A concise review is given of the progress made in the field of partial discharges (PD) at DC voltage. Although ample reference will be made to work of other authors in this field, the paper will concentrate on the progress that was made at Delft University of Technology over a period of 14 years in three PhD projects. In the first project, a start was made with the analysis of the physics of partial discharges at DC voltage and different types of PD were characterized based on parameters like time interval between PD and PD magnitude. In a second project, PD analysis was applied to HVDC apparatus and different means of classification of PD at DC voltage were proposed. In the third project, PD analysis was applied to HVDC mass-impregnated cables and test specifications were proposed. In this paper the work performed in the above three Ph.D. projects is summarized with ample reference to papers of other workers in this field. Attention is given to the mechanism of PD at DC voltage as compared to AC voltage and techniques for measurement and analysis of DC PD patterns. Examples of practical application of DC PD testing are given. Finally, some thoughts on future work are presented.

Degradation of solid dielectrics due to internal partial discharge: some thoughts on progress made and where to go now

Abstract: The amount of literature on partial discharge (PD) and partial discharge induced degradation is vast. In the past 10-20 years significant progress has been made on research within partial discharge induced aging of dielectrics. Researchers now agree on the main mechanisms pertaining to this topic. With the advent of a new generation of dielectrics of which many properties now can be affected by the introduction of small amounts of nano-sized particles it seems to be a good moment to review the progress on the understanding of PD induced aging. Focusing on internal partial discharge in solid polymeric insulation this paper tries to identify achievements and at the same time challenges still to be solved.

The contribution of field-induced morphological change to the electrical aging and breakdown of polyethylene

Abstract: A brief review of the early literature is given which provides evidence that electrically-induced mechanical stresses make an important contribution to the electrical breakdown of solid dielectrics. Special attention is given to polyethylene and the manner in which this semi-crystalline polymer yields under mechanical stress by microvoid, crack and craze development in the amorphous phase between the lamellar crystallites. The nature of the forces induced by an electrical field is considered and it is shown that a significant component of tensile stress is generated in a direction orthogonal to the field and can become large as breakdown is approached. This suggests a correlation between the responses of the polymer to mechanical and electrical stresses and consequently the importance of morphology in determining the latter. The likely effect of field-induced morphological change on charge transport and electrode processes is described and its underlying contribution to possible aging markers for polyethylene, such as high field conduction, electroluminescence, space charge and charge packets is considered.

Partial discharge signal interpretation for generator diagnostics

Abstract: Several common sources of discharges activity occurring on generators have been replicated in the laboratory under well-controlled conditions Each source was evaluated individually and recorded with a phase resolved acquisition system and with a spectrum analyzer The dominant features of each respective phase resolved partial discharge (PRPD) pattern are presented The frequency content of the discharge signal at the detection coupler was also investigated The association of each well-defined type of discharge source, with its specific PRPD pattern, constitutes the basis of our database used for the discharge source recognition during generator diagnostics The comparison of laboratory results with actual field measurements gathered over the last decade is summarized

Space charge behavior in low density polyethylene at pre-breakdown

Abstract: It has been known that the electrical breakdown of insulating materials is strongly affected by the formation of space charge in the bulk of the materials. Many researchers have attempted to study the relationship between the space charge and the breakdown; however, it has not been clarified yet. Although the pulsed electroacoustic (PEA) method has been widely used to observe space charge profiles, previous works have not shown clear evidence of the influence of the space charge on the breakdown. Therefore, we have developed a new PEA system with an interval of 0.5 ms to observe the space charge distribution continuously under the ultra-high electric field. Using this system, we observed the space charge dynamics in the low-density polyethylene (LDPE) at and around the breakdown. We also investigated the dependence of the applied electric field on space charge behavior. From the results, it is found that the injected charge packet moved faster and deeper under a relatively lower electric field rather than that under a higher electric field. Furthermore, we found that the maximum electric field in each specimen was almost the same when the breakdown happened in a specimen.

Electrical aging and life models: the role of space charge

Abstract: This paper has the aim of providing a view of a lively debated topic which has broad impact on the design of electrical apparatus and new insulating materials, that is, the interaction between space charge and aging processes of polymeric insulation. Aging models developed in recent decades that consider explicitly or implicitly the contribution of space charge to insulation degradation, under both DC and AC voltage, are dealt with, with the intention to point out their range of validity. Some conventional phenomenological models that have been used for much more than two decades without referring to space charges can be exploited to account for electrical field and activation energy modification due to space charge. These, together with models conceived considering space charges as the driving force for aging, are especially examined. In addition, recent models that disregard the action of space charge as an ageing factor, but consider space charge as the consequence of degradation processes are also discussed.

An improved methodology for application of wavelet transform to partial discharge measurement denoising

Abstract: Recent research has shown that the wavelet transform (WT) can potentially be used to extract partial discharge (PD) pulses from severe noise. However, the method is more complex than the Fourier transform (FT), and requires expertise and experience to be applied to produce its best effect. The authors have previously published algorithms for selection of the most appropriate mother wavelet and for automatic determination of threshold values for applying the WT to PD measurement denoising. The present paper is to present an improved methodology to apply the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) with better denoising effect to PD measurement. Firstly the paper describes the structure of DWT's filter pairs. It then analyses the frequency bands of the wavelet coefficients in approximations and details, and energy distribution of a PD signal along each of the levels following the DWT. Finally a DWT-based denoising method is proposed and justified. Results prove that, with the proposed methodology, in conjunction with the algorithms proposed by the authors to select optimal mother wavelet and threshold values, significant improvement in denoising effect can be achieved.

Signal denoising techniques for partial discharge measurements

Abstract: One of the major challenges of on-site partial discharge (PD) measurements is the recovery of PD signals from a noisy environment. The different sources of noise include thermal or resistor noise added by the measuring circuit, and high-frequency sinusoidal signals that electromagnetically couple from radio broadcasts and/or carrier wave communications. Sophisticated methods are required to detect PD signals correctly. Fortunately, advances in analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) technology, and recent developments in digital signal processing (DSP) enable easy extraction of PD signals. This paper deals with the denoising of PD signals caused by corona discharges. Several techniques are investigated and employed on simulated as well as real PD data.

A new methodology for the identification of PD in electrical apparatus: properties and applications

Abstract: Applications of a new methodology, aimed at the identification of defects occurring in insulation systems of HV apparatus and based on partial discharge (PD) measurements, are presented in this paper. This methodology relies upon the digital acquisition of a large amount of PD pulses and separates the acquired pulses into homogeneous subclasses. Signal processing tools recognize the presence of noise among the different classes. Identification of basic PD source typologies (i.e., internal, corona and surface discharges) is then achieved, resorting to fuzzy algorithms. The proposed procedure is applied to measurements performed on different HV apparatus, such as cables, transformers and rotating machines. The purpose of this paper is to show that the identification process is robust, regarding the measuring circuit, and flexible, so that it can constitute an advanced tool for condition based maintenance, guiding maintenance experts in making decisions on the condition of the insulation system under test.

Complex permittivity of composite systems: a comprehensive interphase approach

Abstract: The present paper reports the development of a unique model to provide physical insights to the complex permittivity of composite systems. The model takes into account interactions between the components of the composite system in the form of interphase regions. The resultant model, termed the interphase power-law (IPL) model, relies on the permittivities of the filler component, the matrix component and the interphase region as well as the volume fractions of each. The model is applicable to any uniform composite system of discrete particles dispersed within a matrix. Trends in the composite material's effective permittivity as a function of filler volume fraction, interphase permittivity, filler surface area and filler particle shapes are explored.

Measuring and modeling transient insulator response to charging: the contribution of surface potential studies

Abstract: What has been the contribution of surface potential studies during the last four decades to our understanding of insulation physics? Which are the promising techniques emerging in this field? The present review covers the industrial context accounting for the development of surface potential measurements on insulating materials, the way they have been implemented, as well as the great variety of models produced to explain the charging and potential decay mechanisms. Several polarization or transport processes can be responsible for the decay of the potential. Though most of the models initially stemmed from electrostatics and semiconductor physics, around the notion of mobility, experiments on polymers required "thermodynamic" models, describing progressive charge detrapping. We also underline here that the three main different physical processes likely to be involved in the potential decay (dipolar relaxation, dispersive transport, slow detrapping) can lead in disordered materials to the same time response, the challenge being here is to design inventive new procedures to distinguish them. This comment also applies to most of electrical measurements on disordered materials. Kelvin probe microscopy, return voltage and thermostimulated potential measurements also illustrate the multiform development of surface potential measurement techniques, as their future prospects.

Silicone rubber dielectrics modified by inorganic fillers for outdoor high voltage insulation applications

Abstract: The paper discusses the mechanisms by which inorganic fillers in silicone rubber dielectrics enhance the properties of thermal conductivity, relative permittivity, and electrical conductivity making them useful in outdoor high voltage insulation applications. The addition of alumina trihydrate or silica fillers to silicone elastomers, forming binary composites with enhanced thermal conductivity, is discussed in relation to filler type, particle size, shape, and concentration, and its use as a housing material for non-ceramic insulators to minimize material erosion at dry band arcing sites by lowering hot spot temperature. Also discussed is the enhanced relative permittivity of silicone dielectrics that is obtained through the addition of barium titanate powder which can be further increased with the addition of aluminium powder forming a tertiary composite, resulting in a significant grading of the surface electric field when applied as a housing material to high voltage bushings. Controlled electrical conductivity of silicone dielectrics is discussed through the use of antimony-doped tin oxide filler binary composites and when applied as a housing material to outdoor bushings, the pollution performance is greatly enhanced.

From LDPE to XLPE: investigating the change of electrical properties. Part I. space charge, conduction and lifetime

Abstract: This paper discusses the results of space charge, conduction current and electrical lifetime measurements performed on widely-used materials for electrical insulation, that is, low density polyethylene (LDPE) and cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE). Space charge accumulation profiles were compared in LDPE, low density polyethylene plus antioxidant (LDPE+AO) and XLPE, with consideration of thermal treatment effects in LDPE and XLPE. Significant variation (decrease) of accumulated space charge and apparent mobility, as well as slight decrease of conduction current, can be seen going from LDPE to LDPE+AO and XLPE, which may be associated with formation of deeper trap levels (or an increase of their density). On the contrary, electrical life under AC voltage does not show significant differences from LDPE to XLPE. This latter result underlines that life under high AC electrical stress is mostly determined by defects (weak points) rather than material characteristics associated with charge injection and transport.

Space charge phenomenology in polymeric insulating materials

Abstract: Topics related to space charge phenomenology, particularly the origin of space charge and its interaction with the host insulating polymer, have been widely discussed in recent years. Due to the development of reliable techniques for direct observation of space charge it is now possible to obtain, besides obvious indications on space charge and electric field magnitude and location, quantities that provide additional information on space charge accumulation and depletion rate, apparent mobility and trap depth distribution. Therefore, commonly debated topics such as the nature of charge carriers, the conduction mechanism, the charge dynamics at interfaces and the relation with nanostructure can be re-examined on the basis of space charge observation and this is, indeed, the purpose of this paper.

A novel technique for partial discharge and breakdown investigation based on current pulse waveform analysis

Abstract: A novel technique for partial discharge (PD) measurement and analysis (PD-CPWA; PD current pulse waveform analysis) is developed and introduced in this paper. PD-CPWA is expected to be utilized to discuss PD mechanisms and physics in electrical insulating materials, focusing on the PD current pulse waveform and its time transition from PD inception to breakdown (BD). In this paper, the concept and principle of PD-CPWA are described, and the applications of PD-CPWA to (1) epoxy spacer samples under thermal and electric combined stresses in GIS, (2) creepage PD on epoxy spacers in SF/sub 6/ gas and (3) liquid nitrogen/polypropylene laminated paper composite insulation system for high temperature superconducting cables are introduced and discussed.

On the interpretation of some electrical aging and relaxation phenomena in solid dielectrics

Abstract: Electrical aging and relaxation in solid dielectrics are phenomena studied for decades but still largely poorly understood. The lack of understanding, or sometimes the misunderstanding, are partly due to inadequate or deficient theories and partly due to wrong interpretation of theories or concepts developed for other materials than dielectrics. In addition, a serious analysis of some of the empirical and approximate relationships often used to interpret polymer relaxations reveals that they are not only limited and restrictive but also that they are based on very dubious assumptions. Dry or wet electrical aging is much more complex and often includes many phenomena with synergetic effects such as thermal aging, electrochemical reactions, space charge effects, etc. In this lecture, we intend to show that some of the theories often cited in the literature are wrong or inappropriate. We show why they cannot describe the phenomena at play and we present some alternatives for future work in the domains of relaxation and electrical aging. The relations between aging, space charges and polarization of polyethylene (PE) under the influence of high electrical fields (above 20 kV/mm) are discussed in light of our electrical aging model. It is our contention that strong charge injection occurs only after nanocavity formation, i.e. above the critical field. The amorphous phase is then significantly deformed and weak van der Waals attraction bonds are broken, leading to another faster aging regime. The possible relation between the nanocavity formation at moderate fields and bonds breaking at higher fields proposed in our aging model and various polarization measurements is discussed. One objective of this paper is to encourage the development of more complex and complete theories specific to dielectrics. Some experimental work needed to achieve this goal is pointed out.

Space charge profile measurement techniques: recent advances and future directions

Abstract: Some of the advances in space charge measurement techniques over the last 5 years are described. It is concluded that significant further improvements in spatial resolution are unlikely in the next 5 years, except in the case of the LIMM technique implemented using very short laser pulses, where spatial resolution approaching 100 nm might be achievable. It is suggested that existing space charge techniques be combined with conducting atomic force microscopy (CAFM), with the aim of correlating 3-dimensional space charge profiles and 2-dimensional conductivity maps and thus providing a more complete picture of charge transport through dielectrics, particularly in future work on nanodielectrics. Since CAFM samples are typically 5-10 nm thick, it would be necessary to operate the equipment at higher voltage (say 1000 V) so that samples not less than 10 /spl mu/m thick, e.g. polymers, could be investigated. This seems feasible.

Demonstrating a threshold for trapped space charge accumulation in solid dielectrics under DC field

Abstract: This paper presents a discussion of the concept of threshold for trapped space charge accumulation in solid dielectrics submitted to a DC field. The starting point is the fact that it is often possible to define a critical field separating an ohmic type of conduction from a nonlinear regime in the current-voltage characteristic of solid dielectrics. In the space charge limited conduction theory, this critical field corresponds to the onset of space charge accumulation. However, other conduction processes, such as hopping conduction for example, can also explain nonlinearity in the current-voltage characteristic, which does not involve space charge. It is proposed to check for the existence of a critical field for space charge accumulation using complementary techniques, i.e., space charge detection and electroluminescence techniques. Polyethylene, polyester and polycarbonate were investigated as being representative of three different families of polymers. It is shown that similar values of thresholds are found for a given material using the three above-mentioned techniques, lending support to the physical explanation of a threshold for trapped space charge accumulation.

Electrical conductivity and space charge in LDPE containing TiO/sub 2/ nanoparticles

Abstract: Electrical conductivity (DC) and space charge accumulation were studied in samples of low density polyethylene to which nano-sized and micro-sized TiO/sub 2/ (anatase) particles and a dispersant had been added. Sample thicknesses were in the range 150-200 /spl mu/m. At applied field strengths of 10 and 20 kV/mm, the conductivity at 30 /spl deg/C, measured in vacuum in samples containing 10 % w/w nano-sized TiO/sub 2/, decreased by 1-2 orders of magnitude relative to samples with dispersant but without TiO/sub 2/, and by three orders of magnitude at 70 /spl deg/C. In air at 30 /spl deg/C the corresponding decrease was an order of magnitude at 10 kV/mm, and a factor of four at 20 kV/mm. In samples containing 10 % w/w micro-sized TiO/sub 2/ the conductivity increased in air and in vacuum, but only by factors in the range 2-10 depending on temperature and field. Space charge profiles were obtained using the laser-intensity-modulation-method (LIIMM), irradiating both surfaces of the sample. The micro-sized TiO/sub 2/ particles are associated with increased charge injection from the electrodes and increased charge trapping in the sample bulk, increasing the conductivity overall. The nano-sized particles generate very little charge in the sample bulk, but render the electrodes partially-blocking and so lower the conductivity.

Effects of crosslinking byproducts on space charge formation in crosslinked polyethylene

Abstract: Space charge is formed in cables insulated with crosslinked polyethylene. It has not been clear whether the crosslinking byproducts or the crosslinked polymer morphology is responsible for the space charge formation. In order to clarify this point additive-free noncrosslinked low-density polyethylene, additive-free crosslinked polyethylene, and degassed crosslinked polyethylene were soaked in the crosslinking byproducts and the space charge distribution was measured after DC voltage application. Samples tested are divided into two categories. The first category is a soaked single-layered sheet and the second category is a two-layered specimen consisting of a soaked sheet and a nonsoaked sheet. As a result, the following conclusions were obtained. (1) Cumyl alcohol is responsible for homocharge layers in front of the electrodes in both low-density and crosslinked polyethylene sheets. (2) Acetophenone is responsible for heterocharge formation in crosslinked polyethylene, presumably as a synergistic effect with water. (3) alpha -methylstyrene has no effect on space charge formation in low-density polyethylene, while it assists charge trapping in crosslinked polyethylene. (4) Charge trapping occurs easier in degassed crosslinked polyethylene than in low-density polyethylene, probably because of carbonyl groups induced by crosslinking

Partial discharge pulse sequence patterns and cavity development times in transformer oils under AC conditions

Abstract: Discrete partial discharge (PD) pulse occurrence times within the PD pulse bursts in transformer oils were found to extend from approximately 0.42 to 2.9 /spl mu/s, with the discrete pulse separation times evincing a weak dependence on the inverse of the oil viscosity. Many PD pulse burst patterns exhibited substantial deviation from the classical behavior, which is normally characterized by successive discrete pulses of ascending amplitude with well defined increases in the pulse separation times. The average elapsed time from the incipient formation for the cavity to the onset of the first partial discharge event extended downwards from 0.62 to 0.42 /spl mu/s with increasing oil viscosity.

Surface degradation of HTV silicone rubber and EPDM used for outdoor insulators under accelerated ultraviolet weathering condition

Abstract: The chemistry of surface degradation by ultraviolet light (UV) of high temperature vulcanized dimethyl silicone rubber (HTV SIR) and ethylene propylene diene ter-polymer (EPDM), has been studied by many researchers. Insulators fabricated from these materials are normally "qualified" for outdoor use by accelerated life tests that typically include salt-fog and high AC voltages but with insignificant levels of UV. The manufacturer usually counters this by subjecting samples of the material to UV in a weathering tester. However, the nature of the interaction of the UV with the other stress factors present in the accelerated life test remains unknown. This paper focuses on the effects of prolonged UV exposure (5000 h) on electrical and chemical surface properties. Periodic tests of contact angle, SEM, XPS, surface resistivity and surface voltage decay analyses were made. The contact angle of silicone rubber dropped slightly (5/spl deg/ after 1000 h of UV; 10/spl deg/ after 5000 h of UV) and little damage was indicated by SEM; but EPDM suffered a severe drop in contact angle (46/spl deg/ after 1000 h of UV; 68/spl deg/ after 5000 h of UV) accompanied by surface cracking and chalking. Surface resistivity (/spl rho//sub s/) of HTV SIR increased by 50% to 2 /spl times/10/sup 14/ /spl Omega//square after 5000 h of UV. This indicates unexpected lack of ionic character of the degraded surface, but may be partly due to UV generated SiO/sub 2/ between the specimen and the electrode. Surface voltage decay after corona charging, a non-contacting technique with appeal because it is non-damaging and easy to apply to a variety of geometry. The accuracy of the Cresci theoretical equation for the geometry used was confirmed. We feel that these trends in surface resistivity correlate well with observations in the field where a tendency toward surface tracking in EPDM controls life while for HTV SIR life may depend more on the degree of contamination of the environment that can lead to surface erosion. The surface abundance trends of O-C = O and SiOx (x=3/spl sim/4) with time indicate that O-C=O and SiO/sub x/ have increased rapidly at short treatment times and then level off at about 10% and 50%, respectively, until the end of the test time (5000 h). We suspect that these trends are important in the initiation of tracking in EPDM and of erosion rate increase in HTV SIR. It might also be indicative of the time when the SiO/sub x/ functional groups start to degrade to SiO/sub 2/+O/sub x/ which causes HTV SIR to undergo mainly a cross-linking reaction.

Discussion on application of the Weibull distribution to electrical breakdown of insulating materials

Abstract: The Weibull distribution is commonly used for statistical processing of breakdown data of electrical insulation. The statistical theory of breakdown that has been proposed since the 1970s has introduced a two-variables Weibull distribution in order to take into account both the stress applied and the failure times. In this paper this distribution is thoroughly discussed and then rejected. Indeed, the random variable is only one; the other is an independent variable that becomes random only through the first, with the same shape parameter. The case of breakdown after electrical or multiple-stress aging (electric strength test on aged specimens) is also examined and the probability distribution function is written even in the general case, where the probability is a function of several variables. Only one of the latter, i.e. the electric strength ES, is the random variable while the others, such as the applied stresses and the time at which the ES measurement is performed, are independent