Breakdown Properties of Cables with Different Inorganic, Insulating Nanomaterials

Abstract

The insulation performance of cable insulating materials can be optimised via matrix modification. Typically, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is used as the matrix, and a certain proportion of nanoparticles are added to this matrix. To explore the effects of nanoparticles with different forms on the structural interface and crystal morphology of the material, nano-MMT and nano-ZnO were added to LDPE, and comparative experiments were carried out. Based on microscopic test results, material insulation performance changes before and after optimisation were observed. Then, simulation cable models with different insulating materials were developed. Based on the simulated electrical measurements, the thermal breakdown performance of the different insulating materials was tested. According to infrared stereo vision detection results, anomalous temperature points in the cables can be located accurately. Finally, based on macroscopic test results, we verified whether the inorganic, insulating nanomaterials meet the requirements for high-voltage transmission.