Enhanced

PERFORMANCE TR-XLPE
FOR MV CABLES
Small change big results
Dow Electrical & Telecommunications
(Dow E&T) has made a small but power-
ful change in the formulation of its mar-
ket-leading tree-retardant crosslinked
polyethylene (TR-XLPE) for medium volt-
age (MV) insulation to achieve a new
level of performance for underground
(UG) cable manufacturers, installers
and utilities.
Developed for all distribution-class
voltages, across many regions where
XLPE is required, DOW ENDURANCE
HFDC-4202 EC provides easier installa-
tion, lower operational costs, enhanced
reliability, longer life and optimized asset
management.
The enhanced material exceeds current
U.S. standards as well as many global
standards many based on IEC XLPE
standards and simple factory testing
and is expected to pass tests under-
way to meet European CENELEC and
German VDE requirements.
Over time, weve demonstrated that
proper material selection is critical to
the performance of the cable in field
applications. Equally important is
high-quality cable manufacturing.
So, as part of its Dow Inside program,
Dow E&T has worked with select
wire and cable manufacturers to
apply their considerable fabrication
experience in processing DOW
ENDURANCE HFDC-4202 EC that
delivers exceptional performance.
New level of performance
In a survey conducted by Dow E&T,
utility cable engineers identified several
important attributes they value for reli-
able performance of MV UG cables. The
enhanced-performance TR-XLPE DOW
ENDURANCE HFDC-4202 EC is a result
of their input and ongoing R&D efforts
at Dow. It offers:
Expected longer life than existing
TR-XLPE products
Improved performance in wet UG
operations through enhanced tree-
retardant technology
Reduced strip force, with Dow E&T
insulation shields, allowing for easier
and cleaner termination and splicing
of cables during installation
Improved manufacturing robustness
which ensures improved cable quality
Ability for continuous operations at
105C cable rating, with Dow E&T
semiconductive shields
We recommend a systems approach to
cable construction to ensure the highest
possible performance throughout the
life of the cable. And our insulation and
semiconductive compounds have been
designed to work exceptionally well
together.
Properties validated
Thorough testing of DOW ENDURANCE
HFDC-4202 EC at the Dow E&T Global
Technology Center proves pilot plant
material exceeds current MV performance
standards with the following qualities.
Superior dielectric performance
under wet electrical aging (enhanced
retention of electrical strength indi-
cating significantly better Accelerated
Cable Life Test (ACLT) performance
Greater water-tree retardancy versus
other TR-XLPEs (per ASTM Standard)
Lower strip tension, facilitating easier
installation of splices and terminations
Extrusion characteristics compatible
with existing equipment, but optimized
for a delicate balance of increased
cure and reduced scorch, which
results in improved cable quality
On the strength of such extensive test-
ing through pilot scale, we have now
completed commercial-scale produc-
tion, with attendant quality, as well as
commercial-line cable production for
qualifications.
ICEA one-year cable qualifications are
now complete on these cables. DOW
ENDURANCE HFDC-4202 EC offers
retained wet-aged electrical strength
of over > 32 kV/mm average, easily
surpassing the industry requirement of
15.2 kV/mm, at the end of one year.

Accelerated Cable Life Test (ACLT) Protocol

4,4 ACLT of 1/0-15 kV (175 mil), 34.6 kV

Enhanced DOW ENDURANCE HFDC-4202 EC demonstrates

significant improvement over current commercial products.

1. Pilot plant-made HFDC-4202 EC already exceeds the

characteristic life of the previous commercial grade,
HFDB-4202 EC.

2. After 682 days there are no failures from commercial

HFDC-4202 EC; testing continues. The Weibayes worst case
estimate (green) line assumes first failure at 682 days.

3. Commercial HFDC-4202 EC clearly demonstrates the best-in-

class performance of TR-XLPE technology.
Enhanced
PERFORMANCE TR-XLPE
FOR MV CABLES
Dissipation Factor at 140C per MV 105 Protocol
New compound hits
key targets
The dissipation factor of DOW
ENDURANCE HFDC-4202 EC is consis-
tent with HFDB-4202 EC and other
TR-XLPE systems as shown in charts
above. Achieving this target means lower
energy losses and greater energy
efficiency, especially in comparison to
filled ethylene propylene rubber systems.
About Dow E&T
Dow E&T, a business unit in the
Performance Plastics Division of The
Dow Chemical Company (Dow), is a
leading global provider of products,
technology, solutions and knowledge
that sets standards for reliability, lon-
gevity, efficiency, ease of installation
and protection that the power and tele-
communications industries can count on
in the transmission, distribution and
consumption of power, voice and data.
Our philosophy to exceed expectations
begins by offering an industry-leading
portfolio of jacketing, insulation and
semiconductive materials. Backed
by sophisticated technology and
compounding facilities in Asia, Europe
and the Americas, Dow E&T can
efficiently leverage assets to address
challenges that are specific to the
manufacture of most types of cables.
A global team of dedicated staff provides
support to utilities and manufacturers,
and addresses the challenges of the
future through its research and devel-
opment centers. Dow E&T works with
the whole value chain to help provide
technology-based solutions for today
and tomorrow.
Dissipation Factor at 105C per MV 105 Protocol
Capabilities
and commitment
Beyond Dows extensive R&D resources,
Dow E&T also utilizes its own dedicated
Global Technology Centers where we
are continually evaluating, anticipating
and responding to industry demands
and trends. We are committed to em-
ploying the latest research and technol-
ogy tools to help ensure that our
chemistry-enabled products truly
perform for every customer along the
value chain.
Our intensive testing and validation pro-
cess conducted through independent
resources exemplifies our commitment
to world-class practices that meet or ex-
ceed industry standards for quality, and
fuel our focused pursuit of new ideas.
In addition, we focus on making certain
that every material we formulate meets
the specific processing and performance
requirements of current and next-gener-
ation wire and cable products.
Our solutions offer cable manufacturers
and end users a combination of materi-
als that exhibit mechanical strength,
flexibility, electrical properties and aging
stability. These solutions, that encom-
pass formulation through installation,
are made possible because we work
together with you to match our technol-
ogy and experience to your specific
needs.
NOTICE: No freedom from infringement of any patent
owned by Dow or others is to be inferred. Because use
conditions and applicable laws may differ from one loca-
tion to another and may change with time, the Customer
is responsible for determining whether products and
the information in this document are appropriate for the
Customers use and for ensuring that the Customers
workplace and disposal practices are in compliance with
applicable laws and other governmental enactments.
Dow assumes no obligation or liability for the information
in this document. NO WARRANTIES ARE GIVEN; ALL
IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FIT-
NESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE EXPRESSLY
EXCLUDED.
This document is intended for global use.
Published October 2012. Printed in USA.
2012 The Dow Chemical Company
DOW Electrical &
Telecommunications
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Houston, TX 77077
USA
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Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (Dow)
or an affiliated company of Dow
Dow Electrical & Telecommunications is a global business
unit of The Dow Chemical Company and its subsidiaries.
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