Study on the Behavior of Low-Voltage Cable Insulation Subjected to Thermal Cycle Treatment

The paper presents a study on the effects of thermal aging on a low-voltage cable. Cable samples with a length of 50 cm were subjected to thermal cycling from +140 °C to −20 °C in a climate chamber with controlled temperature. This treatment compares the short-term failure or the emergency overload of some cables under real operating conditions at low temperatures. The effect of the temperature cycle is investigated through electrical measurements such as dielectric spectroscopy, voltage response measurements, and mechanical measurements such as Shore D hardness investigation. The results revealed that the thermal cycles of accelerated aging caused the plasticizer to diffuse into the jacket and then be released into the environment. At the same time, the thermal shocks produced microcracks in the cable jacket, accelerating the removal of the plasticizer.