Issue link: https://te.mouser.com/i/1385324
34 Proven in the Harshest Environments FIGURE 3: Long-term UV Materials testing in a desert area and termination in service in a high UV environment. (TE Connectivity) Outdoor heat-shrink materials are used in different areas of the world with different UV radiation levels. The most challenging UV requirements might be found in desert environments where insulation materials are consistently subjected to high UV radiation. With increased elevation, UV radiation also increases. A typical value is that for every 500m of altitude, the UV radiation increases by about 3.5 percent. Test sites in dessert areas were used to analyze different formulations to prove their long-term UV requirements (Figure 3). For accelerated UV aging tests, UV lamb (Xenon) testing for lab simulation has become standard. EMMAQUA ® or Weather- Ometer ® testing has been used as an alternative to verify materials properties. Environments Demanding Oil Blocking Characteristics Environments where oil-blocking characteristics are required can be seen as another harsh environment. A typical application would be using a cable accessory in a joint or termination for oil- impregnated paper cables, either in a paper-to- paper cable connection or today's more common paper-to-polymeric cable joint, a so-called transition joint. Without oil-blocking characteristics, the oil- impregnated paper cables would face a migration of the oil and dry out over time. As the oil with its good insulation characteristics plays a vital insulation role, its loss would constantly lead to the loss of the cable's electrical insulation property, which finally could end up in a breakdown of the insulation and a failure of the cable accessory. The most challenging UV requirements might be found in desert environments where insulation materials are consistently subjected to high UV radiation. " "