Development of a multi stress chamber applied to polymeric equipment of electrical distribution networks

Abstract

This paper present the development steps of an multi stress accelerated aging chamber for polymeric distribution network accessories. Aiming to adequate many accelerated ageing methodologies as UV weather aging chamber and dielectric compatibility which are methods who usually melt the material to produce samples and modify its dielectric properties, the accessories are aged without any modifications on its shape. The chamber is provided with a power transformer to energize the samples, salt spraying nozzles and UV light bulbs. The verification of the ageing process was made by tests before and after the ageing process, showing the modifications on the surfaces and a statistic evaluation of the accessories leakage current, evidencing the efficiency of the developed equipment.