Determine the Compatibility between Electrical Insulation Fluids and Solid Materials Using a Micro-calorimeter

Compatibility between solid and liquid electrical insulation materials has been studied
using an isothermal microcalorimeter. This work compares the micro-calorimeter
measurements with a simple volume and mass increase for the solid material also
capable of indicating incompatibility and compatibility in some cases.
The measurements reported here on a known incompatible system (XLPE and mineral
oil) and a compatible system (XLPE and silicone oil) illustrate how such measurements
could be performed. For these materials we conclude that a micro-calorimeter can be
used to characterise compatible/incompatible phenomena for electrical material
combinations. It proves to be a fast and alternative method potentially capable of
screening compatibility between many different material combinations giving an
indication/warning of undesirable reactions. Such a methodology must in general be
supported by results from other kind of analytical measurements in addition. It could
however be used as a first screening method targeting potential promising new material
combinations for electrical apparatuses. The most promising material combinations
found from such measurements then could later be investigated further with other
methods.