Electrical Resistance of Non-Rigid Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Cable Insulation Infected by the Microscopic Fungus Aspergillus niger

A decrease in the electrical resistance of cable insulation made of plasticized PVC after being infested with the microscopic fungus Aspergillus niger results from an increase in electrical conductivity of the polymer due to adsorption of fungal metabolites. An equation relating the variation of the indicated dielectric parameter with the fungal biomass growing on the polymer material is proposed. The equation can be of value in predicting microbioloically induced deterioration of cable insulation during use.