| In a recent US study, early generation TR-XLPE (tree retardant crosslinked polyethylene) cables made with insulation materials from Dow Wire & Cable Compounds, USA, were found to provide excellent field performance after nearly 20 years of installed service at a commercial shopping mall facility. The vintage 1985 power cables, made from Dow�s HFDA-4202, showed essentially no loss in dielectric strength, no bowtie trees larger than 12 mils, and no vented trees larger than 10 mils. The TR additive level was maintained uniformly across the insulation thickness and the cables boasted a stripping tension similar to that of fresh cable.
Based on the advantages of the HFDA-4202, Dow Wire & Cable Compounds has recently introduced a new XLPE material, HFDB-4202, that also offers excellent dielectric properties expected from XLPE, with significant cable manufacturing and performance advantages. With outstanding water-tree retardant properties, this product is becoming the market standard for enhancing cable life, even in the most challenging environments. The total value system includes a simple cable design, which helps optimise cable manufacturing costs. Cable life is extended, which offers improved reliability and minimised cable failures, outage costs, and replacement costs. HFDB-4202, like HFDA-4202, is formulated to minimise water-tree growth. By reducing water-trees and maintaining Dow�s high standard of cleanliness and smoothness in manufacturing and delivery systems, cables can be produced to minimise or avoid vented and bowtie trees. When coupled with Dow�s specially engineered conductor and insulation shield materials, this helps enhance cable life.
Dow Wire & Cable Compounds, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company, brings more than 50 years� experience to the power, telecommunications, flame retardant and end-user markets. Dow�s polyolefin-based compounds are used as insulation and jacketing materials, providing a unique combination of mechanical strength, flexibility, electrical properties, ageing stability and processability.
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