The Effect of Temperature and Current on the Insulation Performance of PE and PVC Power Cables: A Finite Element Approach

In this study, a numerical simulation was used to evaluate the insulation performance of polyethylene (PE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) under varied environmental and electrical conditions. Tests were conducted at temperatures of 22 °C and 55 °C, with current levels of 40 A and 60 A, examining key parameters such as electric field intensity, current density, and Joule heating. The results show that, under lower temperature and current conditions, PE demonstrates greater current capacity but suffers from increased Joule heating and energy loss. Conversely, PVC provides more stable insulation with lower energy dissipation. At higher temperatures and currents, PE experiences significant electrical stress and thermal loading, increasing the risk of overheating, while PVC maintains consistent performance. These findings offer valuable guidance for selecting optimal insulation materials in power distribution systems.