Abstract—This paper presents the experimental results of high- density polyethylene cable spacers for 22 kV distribution systems under salt water dip wheel test based on IEC 62217. The strength of anti-tracking and anti-erosion of cable spacer surface was studied in this study. During the test, dry band arc and corona discharge were observed on cable spacer surface. After 30,000 cycles of salt water dip wheel test, obviously surface erosion and tracking were observed especially on the ground end. Chemical analysis results by fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy showed chemical changed from oxidation and carbonization reaction on tested cable spacer. Increasing of C=O and C=C bonds confirmed occurrence of these reactions. Keywords—Cable spacer, HDPE, ageing of cable spacer, salt water dip wheel test. I. INTRODUCTION ESENTLY, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) cable spacer has been widely used in power transmission and distribution system. HDPE cable spacers have advantages of low cost, light weight and low electric field stress when comparing with the ceramic type. After long time in service, surface of HDPE cable spacer became inferior and dust was accumulated. Cable spacer would be cleaned by rain difficultly. As a result, leakage current was undesirably increased and electrical insulation characteristics of cable spacer were decreased. There were several reasons for cable spacer deteriorations such as manufacturing processes, material selections, and product designs. Another important factor was the service environment such as tropical climate and high UV intensity [1]-[4]. Basically, the problem of high electric-field concentration on the contact points between the covered conductor and spacer or ties cannot be controlled. This problem has been studied by [5]-[7]. Performances of cable space have been evaluated by many researchers [4], [8]-[10] Numbers of HDPE cable spacer were use in distribution system of Provincial Electricity Authority of Thailand (PEA) and Metropolitan Electricity Authority of Thailand (MEA). Damaged cable spacers during service were reported by these electric utilities [3]. However, no ageing characteristic of HDPE cable spacer were studied in Thailand. By this reason, this paper reports the experimental study on ageing deterioration of high-density polyethylene cable spacer for 22 P. Kaewchanthuek and R. Rawonghad are graduate student in Suaranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, 30000, Thailand B. Marungsri is with Suaranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, 30000, Thailand. (Corresponding author, phone: +66 4422 4366; fax: +66 4422 4601; email: bmshvee@sut.ac.th). kV PEA distribution system in Thailand under salt water dip wheel test. II. TEST ARRANGEMENTS A. Specimen Polymer cable spacers made of high-density polyethylene by injection molding for 22 kV PEA distribution system were used in this study. Configuration and dimension of specimen are illustrated in Fig. 1. As illustrated in Fig. 1, leakage distance between phase A to ground and between phase B to ground is approximately 310mm. Fig. 1 Configuration and dimensions of specimen B. Test Arrangement Four items of cable spacers were installed on the wheel as shown in Fig. 2. Only two phases near ground end were energized. Voltage was energized via stainless rods and stainless sphere as shown in Fig. 3 Fig. 2 Specimen installation Ageing Deterioration of High-Density Polyethylene Cable Spacer under Salt Water Dip Wheel Test P. Kaewchanthuek, R. Rawonghad, B. Marungsri R World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology International Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering Vol:8, No:5, 2014 799 International Scholarly and Scientific Research & Innovation 8(5) 2014 ISNI:0000000091950263 Open Science Index, Electrical and Computer Engineering Vol:8, No:5, 2014 publications.waset.org/9998336/pdf