Studies Polymers for Electrical Equipment Applications

CASE STUDIES POLYMERS FOR ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT APPLICATIONS Introduction 

Handbook for the Chemical Analysis of Plastic and Polymer Additives 

Other electrical equipment is either directly buried or installed in underground conduit systems. In this type of environment, the extremes of temperature are less often experienced however localized and transient heating is experienced when power loads are high or when equipment runs near steam pipes for example. In underground installations, corrosive conditions are found based on road salts, lime extraction from concrete, and other minerals that become concentrated as water dries away. Exposure to microbes, oil run-off, decaying vegetation and other materials suggests that very stable polymers are required for this service. 

The electric industry traditionally designs around and purchases equipment for a 40 year life expectation. Limited access to much of the overhead and underground equipment is unavoidable and the impracticality of temporarily removing equipment from service for inspection precludes significant opportunities for monitoring in-service performance. 

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