Solid Insulation And Its Deterioration

The failure of power apparatuses and electronic devices usually occurs in an insulation part which sustains electric field rather than a conductor part which carries electric current. The performance of the solid insulation which is supporting conductors at high potential, therefore, determines the life of every apparatus and device. The capability of solid electrical insulation at cryogenic temperatures is generally excellent, and especially in the case of organic polymers, it can be named "electrical super insulation" from the criteria of electrical insulation designers at room temperature or above. These aspects will be reviewed in this paper. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.