TECHNICAL NEW © THE OkONITE COMPANY March 16, 1999 Edition: 001 These issues of “Technical News” are intended to provide your design firm and your electrical engineering staff with information that will allow you to better un- derstand wire and cable constructions and applications. (Our first issue of “Technical News” deals withthe sub- ject of DC HIGH POTENTIAL FIELD TESTING, This anicle covers the proof testing of medium voltage cables, rated 2001 - 35,000 volts. Many engineers are Confused bythe data, end the many situations that ean ‘ase inconsistent readings and eronecus interpretations Hopefully this information will be helpfilin understand- ing this very important cable issue. Ifyou have any questions please call your local Okonite Distt Office for assistance. Ifyou do not know how to ‘contact your local office you ean easily determine that by Visiting Okonite’s wet site at www okonit.com, This discussion is confined tothe high voltage proof test- ing of medium voltage cables; ated 2001 to 35,000 volt Users ae confronted with the task of proving cable qual ity ater installation vis a est technique and an interpreta tion ofthe test results. The test tchnique is known asthe hipot test; where a de voltage is impressed between the conductor and the grounded metalic shield The recommended DC field acceptance test volage is shown inthe follwing table: High votage field acceptance test prior to ‘Deingplaced n service aeveotTest de Hot Test Pad vote (1S) ‘hate’ Wall-mis i ll-mila 1 so] so | 2 | m5 | 3s eo | is | a5 | wo | os sooo | 7s | 55 | zoo | os zoo | 20 | 9 | 0 | 95 za000 | 20 | 85 | 34s | 100 asooo | as | 100 | 420 | 125 wooo | us | 190 | 500 | 170 sooo | eso | 195 | oso | 195 Neto" he leakage cent quik sabes, he dvation nay be vedueaa io 10 mnues- ‘The data recorded during the tei level ofcurent, rmicro-amperes, commonly refered tas leakage current This curent is measured for eath minute during the |S rinute test period. The leakage cutent is dependent on the applied voltage, the insulation resistance ofthe cable insulation, and any other series resistance inthe circuit. ‘The theoretical leakage current can be derived knowing the test voltage and caleulated insulation resistance. Us- ing tis caleulated value a a go'no-go quality acceptance criteria is the most abused use of data in our industry. ‘The de leakage current is a sensitive measurement and as sch subject to variables whichcan easily sving the rad ings leading to eroneous interretation, ‘The following conditions will use high leakage curent readings (2) Cable ends too close to grounded object. Sometimes ‘when cables are tested inside a enclosure, clearance is rot adequate and Mash over of high leakage results. Ade- (quate end clearance is essential. Ends shouldbe clean and have adequate spacing from any ground point or any adjacent surface. () Cables tested with all the accessories attached, Before testing eables which ae spliceé and terminated, be sure to verify that the slices and terminations can withstand the same de voliages asthe cable. Certain ype of splices, terminations or other acessories canbe seriously damaged when tested atthe high de voltage potentials re ‘quired for cables. (6) Insuticient end leakage path including cleanliness ‘Surface leakage cutents ean occasionally flow along the surface of the stripped back insaltionsurfce. They may not be detectable by sight or by er, but they may gener- ate a high eading on the leakage eurent meter. Humid- ity, wind and surface conditions have a major effect on this current. A well cleaned end witha polyethylene bag applied helps to overcome this aoblem.(€) Variable voliage source. A variable voltage source ‘an be a dificult problem inteying to read a steady state leakage current. The variable voltage supply othe test set cass the ammeter to osilate during the test giving false indication that eutent is oscillating due to quality of cable insulation. Lf this occurs some typeof voltage sta- bilizaton onthe supply tothe test equipment is recom- mended ‘The absence ofan increase in cutent with time is a pract- cal etiterion for aceeprance. Relying solely on the absolute caeulated value of leakage current is setting much too rigid an acceptance standard even fe laboratory ‘measurements, Field readings must be evaluated with «due recognition ofthe instalation environment, end preparation, experience of the test technician and accessi- bility ofthe cable ends The leveling of or derease inthe leaksge current during ‘he test duration indicates an acceptable test ‘An industry reference for this subject is IEEE Standand 400 tiled “IEEE Guide for Making High-Direet-Voltage “Texts on Power Cable Systems inthe Fel. ‘Subsequent mailings of “Technical News" and other Okonite publications covering a variety of issues will be forwarded to you in the near future. If there is any specific information you would like us to provide to you or topies you would like us to discuss, please reference your request on the form below and return to The Okonite Com- pany, P.O. Box 340, Ramsey, NJ 07446 - Attention E. Loyka or E-Mail: loyka@otonite.com. From: Address: Company: ‘Topic of interest: Mail Eric Loyka ‘The Okonite Company P.O. Box 340 Ramsey, Now Jersey 07446 E-Mail: loyta @ okonite com