Improvement the Electrical Performance of Cross-Linked Polyethylene High Voltage Cables

This study aims to improve electrical properties of cross-linked polyethylene with respect to mechanical characteristics by adding inorganic fillers. Blends of XLPE with various inorganic fillers such as: CaCO3 and kaolin are prepared with 20%, 30% and 50% concentration percentages. The dielectric strength of the blends is tested in several thermal conditions such as (0, 25 and 100 degrees C) to simulate different types of climates. Thermal aging is simulated for 24 hours in several temperatures (120, 160 and 200 degrees C) to investigate how the electric properties of composites are affected by very high temperatures stress for 24 hours. The experimental results obtained are compared to each other as regards the dielectric strength of XLPE power cables and its variation with respect to filler concentration to an improvement the electrical performance of cross-linked polyethylene high voltage cables. A MATLAB code has been developed to give interpolated values between different percentages of inorganic filler.