Carlos Katz
- Associated organizations
- Cable Technology Laboratories
- Fields of study
- Cables
Biography
Carlos Katz’s vital research on moisture prevention in power cables has extended product life by over 25 years and saved the utility industry substantial money worldwide. As Extruded cables insulated with cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) and ethylene propylene rubber (EPR) age, moisture diffuses into their insulation and in the presence of electric stress a degradation phenomenon originates. It was Mr. Katz’s research that helped discover and explain the moisture phenomenon (known as “water trees”), and it was his efforts that led to a solution. Mr. Katz developed a method that involved running dielectric liquids through the inter-strand spacing of the aged cables. The liquids diffuse into the insulation to replace the moisture, inhibiting further development of water trees and allowing continued operation.
An IEEE Life Fellow, Mr.Katz is currently the president of Cable Technology Laboratories, Inc., New Brunswick, N.J., which provides testing services to manufacturers and utility companies to assure cable system reliability.
