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Dielectrometry Measurements of Moisture Diffusion and Temperature Dynamics in Oil Impregnated PILC Cables. Zachary M. Thomas Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks P.C. Markus Zahn Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Presentation Outline. Motivation Dielectrometry Sensors Sample Materials and Setup
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Dielectrometry Measurements ofMoisture Diffusion and Temperature Dynamicsin Oil Impregnated PILC Cables Zachary M. Thomas Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks P.C. Markus Zahn Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Presentation Outline • Motivation • Dielectrometry Sensors • Sample Materials and Setup • Constant Temperature Measurements • Transient Measurements • Summary
Motivation • Develop technology for cable health monitoring. • What can dielectrometry sensors tell us about the electrical properties of PILC insulation? Cable Aging Mechanisms • Temperature Fluctuations • Temperature varies with loading conditions. • Moisture Ingress • Cracks and corrosion provide sights. • Aging of cellulose releases water. • Partial Discharge (PD) • Formed in gaps and voids formed during temperature cycling in the cable insulation. • Regions of low oil content.
Dielectrometry Sensors • Capacitive sensing technique. • Requires access to one surface of MUT (material under test). • Sensor response determined by MUT “effective permittivity” • Periodicity i.e. wavelength determines sensor’s “depth perception.” • Frequency domain measurements taken from mHz to kHz. 3 λ Sensor
Sample Materials and Setup • Sample Materials • PILC – Paper insulated lead covered cables • Teflon • Wood (Birch & Oak) • Polycarbonate • Polyethylene • Acrylic • Experiments conducted in a vacuum chamber.
Single Conductor Cable Constant Temp. Measurements Feedback capacitance is 5 nF on all channels.
Arrhenius Temperature Dependence Observe: Changes in temperature cause a frequency shift of the permittivity. • Dependence described by activation energy.
Transient Moisture Measurements • We wish to observe moisture moving through test materials. • Moisture prevented from entering everywhere except the exposed front surface. • Transient moisture measurements are taken at a single temperature. • Before time zero chamber is typically dried. • At time zero moisture admitted into the chamber. • Sensor is monitored at several frequencies during the diffusion process.
Maple Rod Measurements (130 F, 30% RH) Time, days
Single Conductor Cable Measurement Time, days
Summary • Theoretical solutions have been derived and tested for new geometries. • Steady state measurements detail the permittivity’s dependence on temperature. Arrhenius temperature dependence is characterized. • Transient moisture measurements provide insight into moisture dynamics in woods and cables. • With the lead sheath in place, dielectrometry is not practical for manhole measurements. • Dielectrometry sensors could be used as an inexpensive method for utilities to assess cable health. • Future measurements should focus on comparing dielectric properties of failed and failing cables to healthy cables.