Effects of Overload on Thermal Decomposition Kinetics of Cross-Linked Polyethylene Copper Wires

During an overload fault in an energized wire, the hot metal core modifies the structure of the insulation material. Therefore, understanding the thermal decomposition kinetics of the insulation materials of the overloaded wire is essential for fire prevention and control. This study investigates the thermal decomposition process of new and overloaded cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) copper wires using thermogravimetry-Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and cone calorimetry. The thermal decomposition onset temperature and activation energy of the overloaded XLPE insulation materials were reduced by approximately 15 K and 20 kJ mol^-1, respectively, and its reaction mechanism function changed from D-ZLT₃ to A2 (0 < α < 0.5). The FTIR shows that the major spectral components produced during the pyrolysis of the XLPE insulation material are C-H stretching, H₂O, CO₂, C-H scissor vibrations, and C=O and C=C stretching. Additionally, the four functional groups in the PE chains produced the spectral components in the following decreasing order of wavenumber: C-H stretching > CO₂ > C-H scissor vibration > C=O and C=C stretching.