Process for making crosslinked cable insulation using high melt strength ethylene-based polymer made in a tubular reactor and optionally modified with a branching agent

A process of making an insulated wire or cable, the process comprising the steps of:

• (A) extruding onto a covered or uncovered metal conductor or optical fiber a composition having a DF measured at 130° C. (60 Hz, 2 kV) or 120° C. (60 Hz, 8 kV) or 100° C. (60 Hz, 8 kV) of ≤0.5% and comprising:
• (1) a branch modified, high melt strength ethylene homopolymer made in a tubular reactor by a process using (A) a tubular reactor comprising i (i≥3) reaction zones in which (1) the peak temperature of the first reaction zone is greater than the peak temperature in the ith reaction zone, and (2) the pressure in each reactor zone is less than or equal to (≤) 300 MPa, and (B) a chain transfer agent (CTA) that has a chain transfer constant (Cs) less than or equal to (≤) 0.5, and
• (2) a peroxide, and
• (B) crosslinking the branch modified, high melt strength ethylene homopolymer polymer to form a crosslinked composition having gel content of greater than 30%.