Abstract: A dielectric enhancement fluid composition having at least one organoalkoxysilane and an acid catalyst having a pKA less than about 2.1 and a method for using the composition to enhance the dielectric properties of an electrical cable having a central stranded conductor encased in a polymeric insulation and having an interstitial void volume in the region of the conductor, the method comprising at least partially filling the interstitial void volume of the cable with the composition. The fluid composition may further include an organometallic catalyst and a corrosion inhibitor.

Abstract: A method for extending the useful life of an in-service electrical cable section having at least two existing connectors attached thereto and a conductor surrounded by a conductor shield encased in a polymeric insulation jacket with an interstitial void volume in the region of the conductor. The method includes replacing each connector with a corresponding high-pressure connector, and injecting a dielectric enhancement fluid into the void volume and confining the fluid therein at a pressure sufficient to introduce at least about 0.75Q of the fluid. Wherein Q represents the weight of the fluid which would saturate the conductor shield and insulation jacket, and the void volume at atmospheric pressure being less than that which would accommodate the amount 0.75Q. The method is carried out using only a single switching cycle.

Abstract: A high-pressure connector for an electrical power cable section having a central stranded conductor encased in a polymeric insulation jacket and having an interstitial void volume in the region of the stranded conductor, the high-pressure connector being suited for confining a fluid within the interstitial void volume at a residual pressure above atmospheric, but below the elastic limit of the polymeric insulation jacket, the high-pressure connector comprising a housing having a wall defining an interior chamber configured to be in fluid communication with the interstitial void volume and an end portion sized to receive the insulation jacket within the interior chamber and to overlap at least a portion of the insulation jacket at an end thereof with the cable section extending from the housing end portion and at least a portion of the stranded conductor positioned within the interior chamber.

Abstract: A high-pressure connector for an electrical power cable segment having a central stranded conductor encased in a polymeric insulation jacket with an interstitial void volume in the region of the conductor. The connector confines a fluid within the interstitial void volume at a residual pressure above atmospheric, but below the elastic limit of the insulation jacket. A housing interior chamber receives the conductor in fluid communication with the interstitial void volume. Some embodiments have the chamber sized to receive and overlap a portion of the insulation jacket with a housing end portion swaged thereto. A seal seals the insulation jacket with respect to the housing and a retaining member secures the cable segment to the housing to prevent pushback of the insulation jacket at the residual pressure.

Abstract: A computer simulation method is disclosed for simulating an electrical cable having a stranded conductor surrounded by a conductor shield encased in an insulation jacket and having an interstitial void volume in the region of the conductor injected with a fluid composition comprising at least one dielectric enhancement fluid component so as to at least partially fill the interstitial void volume at an initial time. The simulation method comprises for a selected length of the simulated cable, defining a plurality of radially arranged finite volumes extending the selected length of the simulated cable, and estimating the radial temperature of each finite volume. For a selected time period after the initial time, performing a series of steps at least once and outputting or otherwise using the value of the new concentration for the dielectric enhancement fluid component within each finite volume.

Abstract: A method for selecting components for a mixture to be injected into an interstitial void volume adjacent to a central stranded conductor of an electrical cable segment having the central conductor encased in a polymeric insulation jacket to enhance the dielectric properties of the cable segment. The method includes selecting an anticipated operating temperature for the cable segment to be used in selecting the components for the mixture to be injected into the interstitial void volume of the cable segment and selecting a minimum desired time period to be used in selecting the compounds for the mixture to be injected during which the dielectric properties of the cable segment are to be enhanced by the mixture. Next, first, second and third components for the mixture are selected to provide the cable segment with a reliable life at the selected operating temperature spanning first, second and third time periods, respectively.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the dielectric properties of an electrical cable segment having a central stranded conductor encased in a polymeric insulation jacket and an interstitial void volume in the region of the conductor, including filling the interstitial void volume with a dielectric property-enhancing fluid at a pressure below the elastic limit of the polymeric insulation jacket, and confining the fluid within the interstitial void volume at a residual pressure greater than about 50 psig, with the pressure being imposed along the entire length of the segment but below the elastic limit of the polymeric insulation jacket. Preferably, the residual pressure is sufficient to expand the interstitial void volume along the entire length of the cable segment by at least 5%.

Abstract: A high-pressure connector for an electrical power cable segment having a central stranded conductor encased in a polymeric insulation jacket with an interstitial void volume in the region of the conductor. The connector confines a fluid within the interstitial void volume at a residual pressure above atmospheric, but below the elastic limit of the insulation jacket. A housing interior chamber receives the conductor in fluid communication with the interstitial void volume. Some embodiments have the chamber sized to receive and overlap a portion of the insulation jacket with a housing end portion swaged thereto. A seal seals the insulation jacket with respect to the housing and a retaining member secures the cable segment to the housing to prevent pushback of the insulation jacket at the residual pressure.