DIgSILENT Pacific User Conference 2007

DETAILED MODELLING OF HV
SINGLE CORE CABLE SYSTEMS
USING POWERFACTORY
..to determine armour and screen
current magnitudes under varying
conditions of installation
Peter Willis, DIgSILENT Pacific
Perth Office
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SYSTEM MODELLING

Cable Systems Frequency domain model

Traditionally represented by equivalent PI
representation for Z1 and Z0 impedances.
Impedance data is typically taken from
manufacturers catalogues

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CABLE SYSTEM MODELLING Multi-Core Cables

For multi-core cables,

manufacturer data is used.
Here we see a non-SWA
OLEX cable.

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CABLE SYSTEM MODELLING Multi-Core Cables

..and here we see the same

OLEX cable with SWA.

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CABLE SYSTEM MODELLING Single-Core Cables

For single core cables systems,
the overall impedance is based
on
assumptions
on
the
installation and connection of
screens.

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CABLE SYSTEM MODELLING Single-Core Cables

For single core cables systems, the overall impedance

must be calculated from the geometric arrangement of
the conductors, as is the requirement for overhead lines.
These complexity of these calculations are also
compounded by the multiple insulation and conducting
layers of single core cable profiles, however the new
PowerFactory cable system tools encapsulates this.

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CABLE SYSTEM MODELLING Single-Core Cables

Unlike multi-core cables, the individual phase screens

are not in electrical contact along the cable length, so
there can be substantial induced currents flowing when
screens are bonded together and earthed at the cable
terminations.
If the screens are not bonded at both ends, induced
currents do not flow however screen voltages become
elevated.
All this requires engineering assessment, hence new
tools were developed (first supported in Version 13.1) to
model single phase cable systems.

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CABLE SYSTEM MODELLING New PowerFactory Objects

There are three new PowerFactory objects in the model:

TypCab
Single Phase cable profile

TypCabsys
Geometric arrangement of cables
making up the circuits in a cable
system

ElmCabsys
The link between cable system type
and the line elements in the active
network
Overhead line equivalents:

TypCon
Arial Conductor Type

TypTow
Tower geometry Type

ElmTow
Tower Element

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CABLE SYSTEM MODELLING TypCab

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CABLE SYSTEM MODELLING TypCabsys

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CABLE SYSTEM MODELLING ElmCabsys

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CABLE SYSTEM MODELLING ElmCabsys (EMT Tab)

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GRAPHICS

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GRAPHICS

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WHY DO IT ???

Why do we need this tool?

Customers asked for this
Screen and armour currents need to be
quantified so connections & equipment can be
correctly dimensioned.
Where screens or armours are lifted, the
standing voltage can be determined under
load and fault conditions.
Screen-cross bonding distances can be
examined
Effect of cascading failures can be examined
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CASE STUDY Real Failure

Example of how the Cabsys model was used to

quantify screen currents following screen joint
failure in 6.6kV generator incomer and how the
geometric orientation of cable grouping in the field
affects current imbalance across all conducting
layers.

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CASE STUDY

Oil & Gas Installation

- VESDA System detected fault but damage was
already done
- Generator outage
- Very significant $AUD in production losses

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SINGLE CORE CABLE SYSTEMS

3 Main Areas of Concern

- Orientation & configuration
multiple cable runs, rotating phases within trefoil groups..

- Circulating currents
armour and screen bonding and earthing, termination kits..

- Eddy Currents
steel pipes, transit boxes, gland plates..

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SCREEN CURRENTS Cable Damage due to Hot Joints

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SCREEN CURRENTS Cable Damage due to Hot Joints (cont)

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Cable Profile

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Joint Instructions

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Constant Force Springs

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Final outer layer of joint

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What should have been done

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Thermography Effect of screen connection

Screens Connected

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Screens Lifted on end

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Thermography Effect of screen connection

PowerFactory Study cases:

Effect of parallel circuits
Lack of transposition
Phase positions in trefoil
groups
Effect of high resistance
joints leading to cascading
failure
Lifting screens and isolating
armour-clamping glands

Screens Connected

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Repaired Joints

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SUMMARY

Modelling Cable Systems A tool that has a time and a place

Can also be used to offline to valid Z1/Z0 in conventional models.
Has associated line objects for each conducting path (sheath, armour,
conductor) of each circuit.
Going forward..
Easier to visualise with composite branch line graphic (V14 feature)
Has some application for EPR calculation, whereby ground
impedance is modelled from external tool (CDEGS).
Feedback welcomealways

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