Light detection during the initiation of electrical treeing at room temperature

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Abstract
A hypothesis concerning the initiation phase of electrical treeing suggests that a space charge is at the origin of radiative phenomena. The authors detect the light emission at the tip of a needle electrode inserted in a polymer by using a photomultiplier, cooled to -20 degrees C, placed at the eyepiece of an optical microscope. The polymers studied are low density polyethylene (LDPE) and cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) and they are maintained at room temperature. The important role played by trapped gases in the detection of the phenomenon is shown. This work confirms the existence of radiative phenomena in insulating materials used for cables.

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