Investigation of Thermal Stability of 0.6/1 kV Metal-Coated Carbon Fiber Cable and Joint.

For this paper, we manufactured the 0.6/1 kV 3-core cable using metal-coated carbon fiber (MCF), which can be utilized for a cable screen layer. This cable can be applied to non-earthed system, and has a shielding property of more than 90% of braiding density. However, new joints and methods are needed to connect the cables because carbon fiber has brittleness. Thus, the cable connection added a spring to the contact surface, reducing resistance and fiber brittleness. These cables and connection methods were evaluated for safety in a certain temperature, humidity and over-current environments. From the results, the change of the external shape and contact resistance of the cable and the joint against the humidity and temperature were not significant, and the insulation breakdown did not occur in the withstanding voltage property of 3.5 kV for 5 min. No thermal deformation of the cable and connections was observed at the current above the allowable current range; it can be used as stable as metal screen cable.