1. Tardograda Mogwai Induced
Subterranean Insulation
Decomposition
Dr. Ambrose Turdickin
University of Pylmoth
April 1, 2014
University of
Plymoth

2. Tardograda Mogwai
• First reported by the RAF
during WW II in India
• Rapid growth of failures
followed introduction of
Styrene Butadiene Rubber
in RAF magnetron based
radar systems.
• Research strain collected in
1944
Photo Credit Dr. T. Staiano Metro Engineering Consulting Consortium
Associates

3. Mogwai Consumption of Other
Insulations
• WWII research
correalted Mogwai
consumption of SBR
insulations
• Stufing and
Poupmkin observed
consumption of
Neoprene and Lead
in 1994
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
EPR XLPE PE Lead Neoprene SBR
*

4. Connecting the Dots
• We know that Mogwai
will consume many
types of cable
insulation
• Original behavior
observed around high
frequency cables
• What attracts them to
low voltage cable?

5. Tardograda Mogwai and Cable
• Early studies showed
Mogwai positive
correlation between
consumption and
frequency, Mayflower et
al.
• Large networks have
resonant frequencies of
less than .001 Hz

6. Frequency Response
• Mayflower focused on
aircraft issues
• Above 400 Hz
• New research
examined response
down to DC (0 Hz) to
understand impact on
HVDC Systems
Frequency (log)
Consumption
1.21 GHz
1 uHz

7. The Termite Connection
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
80.00%
90.00%
100.00%
SBR Insulation Cellulose Wood
Products
Mogwai Moultus
• Cellulose is the
mainstay of the
Isoptera
• Evolved around
decomposition
around wood
• Mogwai moltus is
nearly 90%
cellulose

8. Thank You
a.turkdukin@plymoth.edu