A study was conducted to determine the effects of commercial degreasing solvents on the conductivity of an EPDM separable connector shield and two types of cable insulation based in EPR (ethylene-propylene rubber) and XLPE (cross-linked polyethylene), respectively. Solvents tested included a chlorinated solvent based on 1,1,1-trichloroethane and several so-called citrus solvents consisting of natural terpene, limonene, or blends of limonene with other hydrocarbons. All the solvents significantly degraded the conductivity of the EPR and EPDM materials but had little effect on the XLPE cable shield. The solvents differed, however, in the extent of their effects, the rate of recovery of conductivity after removal of the solvent, and the degree to which the original conductivity of the material was restored. The consequences of these results in terms of appropriate field use of these types of solvents by utility personnel are discussed.
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