Degradation of Electrical Wire Sheaths By UV Radiation

The objective of this manuscript is to report experimental results concerning the effect of accelerated UV-C ageing on the properties of samples of halogen-free sheaths of power cables. Two samples of halogen free sheaths of power cables of Vuki a.s. CHKE-V E30 and Nexans 273-K3 HERP/CWB/2SZH were studied after exposition on the UV-C radiation in a closed chamber. Degradation was monitored by the change in infrared spectra of the samples, their hardness and colour. Based on the observed changes, it can be argued that exposure to the UVC radiation affects the observed properties on the surface of the studied samples. All the observed changes were due to the rupture of the bonds towing to the absorption of UV-C radiation.