Electrical Tree Evolution under DC Voltages and Its Differences from AC Trees in Silicone Rubber

Electrical tree is one of the major issues for insulation failure in high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cable. In this paper, electrical tree initiation and growth characteristics of silicone rubber (SIR) are studied by optical tree observation system under DC and AC voltage with varied temperature. Moreover, tree channels are pictured and analyzed by 3D fluorescence imaging technology. Results show that the average tree initiation voltage, whether DC or AC, decreases exponentially with increasing temperature. However, the initiation voltage under positive DC voltages is much higher than that under AC voltages. AC tree growth pattern could be roughly divided into two modes: bush-like growing pattern and pine-like growing pattern, while DC trees stop growing after voltage stabilizes. 3D fluorescence tests show that DC tree branches are sparser and the channels are thinner. Based on the trap theory, mechanism of DC electrical tree in SIR is clarified. It is believed that different charge transport dynamics are the main reason for the differences in electrical tree behavior under DC and AC voltages.