Space charge studies of crosslinked polyethylene midvoltage cable insulation by thermally stimulated depolarization current, infrared/Fourier transform infrared, and scanning electron microscopy

We studied the space charge behavior in crosslinked polyethylene cable insulation with thermally stimulated depolarization current (TSDC). The role of the semiconducting layers of the cable in space charge formation was determined with several experiments carried out with two different cables. TSDC spectra were obtained through the exchange of the semiconducting layers of each cable with aluminum or silver coatings. Heteropolar current peaks at 80 and 105 °C were observed in the TSDC spectrum. As a sample was annealed at high temperatures, the creation of traps in the material was promoted, and a homopolar contribution at 98 °C developed. This homopolar mechanism was linked to the diffusion, with annealing, of ionic components from the semiconducting layers into the insulation bulk. The penetration depth of these components was studied with Fourier transform infrared in sections obtained at several depths starting at the outer surface of the cable insulation. These diffused components remained on the crystal surfaces, and they became trapping centers for free charge. Charge injection from the semiconducting electrodes and homopolar trapping of injected charges on these components took place afterwards during polarization. This process tended to saturation. Besides this mechanism, the continuous dissociation of molecules took place in the material with thermal annealing. This ionic charge generation resulted in an increase in the heteropolar contribution of the TSDC spectrum. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 4164–4174, 2004