Experimental investigation of E-beam effect on the electric field distribution in cross-linked polyethylene/ZnO nanocomposites for medium-voltage cables simulated by COMSOL Multiphysics

Abstract This study investigated the electric field distribution of underground cable insulation in cross-linked polyethylene/zinc oxide (XLPE/ ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) for medium-voltage (MV) cables. The ZnO NPs that were obtained by three methods preparation classified using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). semi-spheres with sizes 35–55 nm on TEM images. XLPE/ films various NP weight contents (i.e., 0, 1, 3, and 5%) exposed to varied dosages 3-MeV beam (EB); 0 kGy, 15 20 25 kGy. optimum film 5-ZnO, which has content (5 wt%), irradiated at according alternating current (AC)/ DC conductivity (AC: 1 × 10 −4 S/m; DC: 12.44 −2 S/m) minimum relative permittivity (2.24), was obtained. COMSOL Multiphysics used simulate within an MV 25-kGy 5-ZnO insulation. maximum uniform found middle XLPE/5-ZnO sample, rather than top or bottom, might be attributed significantly low new cable.