Efficient Voltage Endurance Evaluation of Polymeric Insulating Materials: A Test Setup for Parallel Electrical and Thermal Ageing of Multiple Test Specimens

Abstract:
This paper describes the design, construction and commissioning of a test set-up for determining the voltage endurance of polymeric insulation materials at alternating voltage and various temperatures. The test set-up shown allows five specimens to be aged simultaneously at voltages up to 100 kV and temperatures up to 100 °C. Selective separation of the failed specimen is achieved by disconnectors, which operate on the principle of a fuse. Two different options (grounded measuring impedance and capacitive voltage divider) are investigated and evaluated to detect the breakdown of a sample. The time to breakdown is recorded by a self-built and designed detection unit. The analysed signal is also used to control a transmitter module or microprocessor, which stores and transmits the time to failure and the corresponding sample number.