Early warning of PVC overheating in a simulated 10 kV cable trench using thermally induced particulate matter

Thermally induced particulate matter (TIPM) may provide an indicator of abnormal cable-material heating before combustion. This study combines thermogravimetric analysis, a qualitative comparison with a particle counter, and sensor measurements in a 6 m simulated cable trench. The PVC sample lost approximately 1.6% of its mass below 200 °C. This observation is consistent with low-temperature volatile release but does not identify the emitted species or establish a particle-formation pathway. Five laser particle sensors (LPS), spaced 1 m apart, monitored end-source and central-source configurations at 100 °C–110 °C, 150 °C–160 °C, and 200 °C–210 °C. No sensor response was reported at 100 °C–110 °C in the trench tests. At the two higher temperature ranges, response onset depended on source position and distance. In the reported end-source test at 200 °C–210 °C, N1 responded at 18.31 min and the HCl sensor at 27 min, a difference of 8.69 min. This is a single-run comparison, not a validated lead time to ignition. The spatial response patterns support further evaluation of distributed particle sensing, while replication, quantitative detection thresholds, and field-interference testing are needed before deployment rules can be established.