Ageing Assessment of XLPE LV Cables for Nuclear Applications Through Physico-Chemical and Electrical Measurements

This paper investigates the changes in electrical and physico-chemical properties of low-voltage power cables for nuclear application when subjected to the combined effects of gamma radiation and temperature. Electrical response is evaluated by means of the dielectric spectroscopy, while the physico-chemical changes are analyzed at different structural scales through five complementary techniques (OIT measurements, FTIR spectroscopy, swelling measurements, DSC analysis and micro-indentation). The dielectric spectroscopy and the first two chemical techniques are shown to be appropriate for evaluating the development of radio-thermal ageing in low-voltage cables. Hence, the results reported in this article suggest the effectiveness of dielectric spectroscopy as a non-destructive technique for on-site cable diagnosis.