Medium Voltage

Cable Testing Technologies

Presented by:

Craig Goodwin

Most Commonly Used Cable Testing

Methods
Energization Sources:
DC and DC Leakage Methods (Insulation
Resistance)
Damped AC (20-300 Hz)
AC Power Frequency

AC Low Frequency (VLF 0.1 Hz)

Most Commonly Used MV Cable Testing

Methods
Cable Diagnostic Technique:

Withstand
Tan Delta / Dissipation Factor
Partial Discharge (Online and Offline)
TDR (Time Domain Reflectometry)
Thermal Imaging
Others
Combination of the Above - Smart

Online versus Offline

Online testing is generally easier to
carry out, and is so called nondestructive its effectiveness is
also limited..
Offline testing, while requiring
more preparation and setup,
provides more insight into
the cables true condition.

IEEE MV Cable Field Testing Chart

IEEE 400 (OmniBus) - 2012
Guide for Field Testing & Evaluation of
the Insulation of Shielded Power Cable
Systems Rated 5kV and above

IEEE 400.1

IEEE 400.2 2013

IEEE 400.3

Field Testing of Laminated

Cables Rated 5kV and above
using DC.

Field Testing of Shielded

Power Cables using Very Low
Frequency VLF

PD Testing of Shielded Power

Cables in the Field
Environment

Note 1 there is no IEEE 60Hz field withstand testing

standard for MV Cables
Note 2 there is no IEEE DC field testing standard for any
extruded cables.

The Demise of the DC Hipot for Testing

MV Cables
Potential Negative Impact on the Service
Reliability of Extruded Cables
Ineffectiveness to Detect Serious Defects in
Cable Insulation

Ref: IEEE400-2012

Concentric Neutral Design Vs. Tape Shielded

Cable Design Can Impact the Effectiveness and Usability

of Certain Diagnostic Techniques That are Rich in
Frequencies.

Which Energization Source and

Diagnostic Method/s to use and
when.

Applicability Of Testing Methods

IEEE 400 has an Informative Table in the
Appendix on the Applicability of Various Testing
Methods.
Comments
Some Methods Were Not Analyzed Due to
Lack of Information / Data.
Some Methods were shown to be useful and
some were Not.
Table Does Not Address Tape Shielded
Cables and Mainly Focuses on Utility Style
CN Type.

Test and Diagnostic Selection Matrix:

Expanded from IEEE 400 - 2012
Method

New Extruded
Acceptance
Shield Type

Old Extruded
Maintenance
CN

Old
Hybrid
Combo
Mixed

Unjacket Accessories
ed
(Splice &
Term)
CN
Mixed

Tape

CN

DC Withstand
Testing

Limited

VLF AC Withstand
Test

Tan Delta /
Dissipation Factor
Test

Partial Discharge
Test Offline

Limited

Limited

Partial Discharge
Test Online

Tape

PILC
Laminat
ed
Mixed

Limited
Limite
Limited Limited Limited
d

Smart VLF W/S Test

- combination with
TD

Smart VLF W/S Test

- combination with
PD
TDR (Time Domain
Reflectometry)

Limited

Useful

Useful

Not
Useful

Limited

Limited

Limited

Limited

Useful

Useful

Limited

Useful

Conclusions
Testing Organizations Need to Be Aware of the
Changes in Standards and Guides
A Need to Inform and Educate Customers / End
Users

Careful Consideration When DC is Requested

Choice of Test Method Often Determined By Age
and Type of Cable and the Intended Defect
Diagnosis
Often, a Testing Strategy Involving a Combination
of Tests is Most Appropriate.