Correlation of traps inside XLPE and polypropylene with space charge dynamics under polarity reversal condition

Polypropylene (PP) is being considered as a suitable alternative to the cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation as the latter is prone to the space charge accumulation when subjected to the voltage polarity reversals in line-commutated converter high voltage direct current transmission. This novel contribution correlates the space charge accumulation with the trap distribution inside XLPE and PP under the polarity reversal condition. The pulse electro-acoustic and surface potential decay methods are used to measure the space charge and trap distributions, respectively. These measurements are carried at different poling durations (1 and 6 h at each polarity) and cycles of voltage polarity reversal (one and three cycles) at the electric field of 60 kV/mm. The XLPE shows more homo and hetero charge accumulation than PP. Dominant shallow traps in the XLPE are responsible for the space charge accumulation, whereas deep traps with higher trap density inhibit space charge accumulation within the PP. Furthermore, the positive and negative threshold fields for the space charge accumulation are measured. It is observed that the space charge can be easily accumulated under the negative electric field. Interestingly, the space charge decays rapidly inside the XLPE with the increased number of polarity reversal cycle. A valid theoretical model is developed to explain the space charge accumulation inside the XLPE and PP. The field-assisted ionization plays a key role in the space charge accumulation inside the XLPE.

Automated summary

In this study, it was found that XLPE is more prone to space charge accumulation compared to PP when subjected to voltage polarity reversals, mainly due to the dominant shallow traps in XLPE responsible for space charge accumulation, while the deep traps in PP inhibit this accumulation. The positive and negative threshold fields for space charge accumulation were measured, showing that space charge can accumulate more easily under negative electric fields. The development of a theoretical model helped explain the mechanisms of space charge accumulation in XLPE and PP, with field-assisted ionization playing a key role.