Abstract:
Low density polyethylene (LDPE), a promising
member of polyethylene dielectric family, majorly used in high
voltage direct current (HVDC) cables. Even with their associated
advantages of excellent quality of insulation, LDPE suffers from
the problems of space charge and leakage current, which directly
and indirectly affect the performance of the insulator. As far as
leakage current is concerned, various models have been put forth
which explain the charge transfer mechanisms on the structural
basis of LDPE. It was suggested in these mechanisms, that LDPE
can be fully assumed as full of high density of traps, while
completely neglecting its semi crystalline structure. In this paper
detailed atomic level analysis of structural features of LDPE has
been presented along with their respective influence on
transportation of charge carriers. Among different structural
regions of LDPE, which region play a dominant role in
determining the conductivity of material, is also discussed.
