A statistic approach of cables ageing in MV lines on thermal and electrical combined stress

Abstract

The paper introduces a methodology that through a probabilistic characterisation of load for MV network, and implementing a life model for combined electric and thermal stresses, simulates the process of ageing of the insulating materials evaluating the expected life time of the cable. Such evaluation is necessary to the possibility of assuming less restrictive thermal overloading limits on electrical cables, with the consequential increase on reserve that cables could offer. A numerical example is reported to better explain the methodology