Ageing of PILC Cables
Ageing of PILC Cables
Ageing of PILC Cables
(PILC) Cables
Agenda:
PILC Cables
Ageing
Factors Affecting The Ageing of PILC Cables
Effects on the performance of PILC Cables due
to ageing
Conductor
Conductor Shield
Paper Insulation
Insulation Shield
Paper and Copper Tape Core Binder
Lead-Alloy Sheath
PVC Outer Jacket
Ageing
Bitter reality of universe!!!
Its the matter of time
Accumulation of changes over time
Changes = (time)
Constructional
Deficiencies
Operational
Effects
Environmental
Effects
Time
Ageing
Performance
Age
Moisture
Soil Thermal Resistivity
Vibrations
Electrochemical Reactions
Thermal Degradation
Excessive Conductor Current
Electrical Stress
PD and Overvoltage
Mechanical Damage
Environmental Effects
(Moisture)
The
moisture
content
of
the
atmosphere does not play a significant
role unless the protective lead sheet is
damaged mechanically
Installation
~ Tens of years
Sheath damage
~ Months
Moisture Penetrates
Insulation
(conductivity of insulation)
~ Weeks
Low Level PDs
Occur
~ Days
Sporadic Arcs
~ Days
Intermittent Arcs
~ Hours
Continuous Arcs
Failure!
Environmental Effects
(Moisture)
Current through full cable insulation with time for penetrated sheath immersed in tap water, and cores heated to 75c
The max. arc conductance is plotted against the max. Current during each successive half cycle for seq. of arcs
Environmental Effects
Environmental Effects
(Electrochemical Reactions)
Due to high dielectric strength of cellulose it is
employed as Paper Insulation in PILC Cables
Hydrolysis
Oxidation
Decarboxylation
Depolymerization
Ts = (1/Fb + 1/Fs) -1
Where, Ts is tensile strength, Fb is fiber-fiber boding strength and Fs is fiber strength
Fb increases with ageing due to cross-linking reactions
Fs decreases due to depolymerization reactions
Environmental Effects
(Electrochemical Reactions)
Wet-tensile strength after ageing EHV 5.5 mil kraft paper under 200 psig
Thermal Degradation
Paper is mostly degraded by thermal effects!
Overloading
Transient Overcurrents
Continuous Overcurernts
Increased Heat
Overheating
Breakdown of Polymers
Deformation of Insulation
Layer
Thermal Degradation
Electrical Stress
(Partial Discharge (PD))
A discharge which doesnt bridge the electrodes
Major Causes of PD in PILC Cables:
Due to small mechanical damage of insulation
Or Insulators have voids due to manufacturing faults
Once the voids withstand voltage is exceeded, partial discharge
occurs
This produces a rapid rate of change of current
Positive ions and electrons released by the discharge collide with
the void wall causing slow erosion
PD is a symptom of insulation weakness
This phenomenon occurs in PILC Cables but is generally less destructive to them as they
exhibit a unique self-healing property due to the mobile impregnated compound
Electrical Stress
(PD , tan () and ageing)
Electrical Stress
(Overvoltage)
Mechanical Damage
Damage is usually attributed to activities during or after installation
Due to some accident
Other causes may be insect and rodent attack, vibration, soil
erosion etc
Most severe type of damage and may cause immediate failure of
cable
One of the major causes that support other breakdown mechanisms
which are slow (e:g PD, corrosion, moisture etc)
Vibrations:
Contraction and Expansion
Conductor & Insulation displace from their original position
May also cause some severe damage to the outer insulation
Thank You!