Environmental factors affecting DC resistance to tracking of polyethylene

• Published in: IEEE transactions on dielectrics and electrical insulation Vol. 11; no. 5; pp. 911 - 912
• Main Authors: Mason JH, Du, B.X., Kobayashi, S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York IEEE 01-10-2004; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Conductivity; Direct current; Droplets; Electric potential; Electrical resistance measurement; Electrodes; Environmental factors; Epoxy resins; Failure; IEC standards; Phenolic resins; Pollution measurement; Polyethylene; Polyethylenes; Testing; Tracking; Underwater tracking; Voltage
• ISSN: 1070-9878; 1558-4135
• DOI: 10.1109/TDEI.2004.1349797

This paper discusses the environmental factors affecting DC resistance to tracking of polyethylene. The voltage, as determined under the conditions specified in the following, which will cause failure with the application of 50 drops of electrolyte, is used as a measure of the susceptibility of the material to tracking, it is called the CTI (contaminant tracking index). A tracking test was set up to investigate dc and ac tracking resistance of epoxy resin, phenolic resin and polycarbonate by IEC 112. The test solution was with 0.1 % ammonium chloride NH/sub 4/Cl in deionized water, giving a resistivity of approximately 4/spl Omega/m at 23/spl deg/C. A droplet was applied at intervals to keep up the discharge between the two electrodes. Epoxy and phenolic resins are tracking type materials.