Investigation on the insulation resistance characteristics of low voltage cable

Abstract

This study evaluated the insulation resistance characteristics of TFR-8 (Tray Frame Retardant power cable for fire service) and VCTF (Light PVC Sheathed Circular Cord) cables under external flame, over-current, and accelerated degradation tests. In the accelerated degradation test of the cable, aging times of 10, 20, 30, and 40 years were tested according to a temperature derived using the Arrhenius equation. The insulation resistance of the TFR-8 cables was reduced from a maximum of 7.5 T ohm to 0.008 T ohm during the flame contact and recovered to its original state after cooling. However, dielectric breakdown occurred in the VCTF cable during flame contact and the cable did not return to its original state, even after cooling. In the forced convection oven test, the insulation resistance of the cable was reduced at 160 °C, whereas the insulation resistance of the cable was reduced at 125 °C in the over-current test. This result implied that the over-current had a greater impact than did heat applied externally on the degradation of the cable insulator. In the accelerated degradation tests from 10-30 years, the TFR-8 cable did not show any reduction in insulation resistance at room temperature. However, after an induced aging time of 40 years, the cable showed a rapid reduction in insulation resistance at room temperature.