Power Cables Insulation & Establishing Relationship between Insulation Level Selection and Aging

Worldwide, electric power transmission and distribution relies on vast and expensive networks of high-voltage (HV) and medium voltage (MV) cables for power delivery. In developing countries, the cable networks are relatively new and still growing rapidly. Objective of this paper is to elaborate one of criteria for cable insulation voltage level and other aging parameters selection based on ageing period of cable insulation at a given operating voltage. This study will elaborate a new approach in finding solutions for reduction of old cable replacement cost by increasing aging period of cables. This approach will suggest insulation level and other aging parameters selection for new cable installation by comparing cable cost at particular insulation level, payback period of cost of installation and aging period. In this paper various parameters responsible for insulation deterioration will be explained by referring various experiments and study done in the past. This paper will also explore how to utilize phased out old aged cables on lower operating voltages instead of abandoned them. Old age cables are also being used on lower operating Voltages for a long period without failures