TRXLPE versus EPR - MV cable
TRXLPE versus EPR - MV cable
(OP)
I know there are and have been different camps on insulation preferences for medium voltage cable. Some swear by EPR while others will only use XLPE (or TRXLPE).
Is there any good data today to suggest that one will give better performance than the other or is the current thinking that it simply a matter of choice and you get acceptable performance from either? Why would you prefer one over the other?
Is there any good data today to suggest that one will give better performance than the other or is the current thinking that it simply a matter of choice and you get acceptable performance from either? Why would you prefer one over the other?






RE: TRXLPE versus EPR - MV cable
RE: TRXLPE versus EPR - MV cable
RE: TRXLPE versus EPR - MV cable
EPR - more reliable in terms of insulation failure. Historically, MUCH more reliable, but newer TRXLPE is supposed to be much more reliable than the old stuff. I don't know of a single industrial facility that uses anything but EPR for medium voltage cable.
TRXLPE - lower losses. EPR has higher dielectric losses than TRXLPE. These losses are small, but when you are a utility that is running hundreds of miles of the stuff, it adds up, at least if you're an accountant.
If the application is an industrial facility, I wouldn't think of using anything but EPR. If it is for URD cable that you are buying by the MILE, then a cost/benefit analysis may be in order. Most utilities use XLPE because first cost is lower and losses are lower.
RE: TRXLPE versus EPR - MV cable
RE: TRXLPE versus EPR - MV cable
We've evaluated the cost of losses and concluded that the premium one pays for EPR over XLPE is essentially doubled when you add in the lifetime cost of dielectric losses. This is more the pay me now and pay me later argument.
RE: TRXLPE versus EPR - MV cable
It is simply a matter of cost vs reliability, if you are talking about 3000 miles of cable, I would go XLPE, if this is for a plant then use EPR.
RE: TRXLPE versus EPR - MV cable
I think Carlos Katz of Cable Technologies Lab has done some work showing the presence of water trees in EPR as well as XLPE.
RE: TRXLPE versus EPR - MV cable