FIELD AND LABORATORY AGING OF POLYMERIC DISTRIBUTION CABLE TERMINATIONS - PART 1 - FIELD AGING

This, two-part paper, describes the results of a research project aime d at understanding the magnitude of aging of polymeric cable terminati ons used in distribution. The termination types evaluated are currentl y used; hence, they have satisfied IEEE Standard 48, This standard doe s not address the issue of aging. Terminations made from 3 different p olymer families and porcelain were evaluated, Presented in Part 1, are the results of field aging from 5 outdoor sites in the USA over a 3 y ear period; and in Part 2, results from accelerated aging fog chamber laboratory tests. The results from field aging show that only minor ch anges were produced. Some differences were observed in the electrical performance of formulations within the same polymer family, and among different polymer families. However, it was concluded that the perform ance of the terminations evaluated would not be compromised by aging p roduced changes in the weathershed housing.