ABSTRACT
Power cables are the most useful and practical media used for conveying electricity from generating stations to factories, domestic premises, and other locations, as well as to equipment, tools, and appliances of all types. Polymer-based electrical cable essentially consists of metallic low resistance conductors covered with a polymeric insulation, which isolates the conductors from each other and from the surroundings, and a sheath or jacket formulated primarily with regards to its mechanical properties and environmental conditions. Polyvinyl Chloride has assumed particular significance as an insulating material in low and medium voltage cables because of its low compound cost, ease of processibility, and recyclability. Metallic screening provides the path for transmission of the discharge currents in the longitudinal direction of the cable toward the ground. Dielectric strength, volume resistivity, permittivity, dielectric loss, and corona resistance are the major electrical requirements of cable insulation. The basic requirements of cables for nuclear applications are given in IEEE 323– 1974.
