Lead Sheath corrosion has long been recognized as a major factor in the service failure of lead covered cables. Present improved methods of producing extruded lead sheaths have largely eliminated inherent defects which were the outstanding causes of cable failures in the past. This has placed added emphasis on failures of a non-inherent nature. The latest available data of the Associated Edison Illuminating Companies on power cable operation shows that 28 percent of non-inherent failures are caused by corrosion of lead sheath.
The purpose of this article is to show that complete electrical and mechanical protection against corrosion for the entire length of cable can be provided by the use of a vulcanized protective covering applied at the factory, at relatively low cost.
Corrosion can result from (a) the reaction between the metal and the corrosive media involving differential aeration where the metal is at different potentials in relation to...
