Power Cables

What would you rather have ?

Underground system

Overhead system

Advantages
Less likely to be damaged Low maintenance costs More reliable Better general appearance

Disadvantages
Major drawbacks include Greater installation costs Insulation problems at high voltages

Requirements of a cable
The conductor should be tinned stranded copper or aluminium of high conductivity (flexibility & current carrying capacity) Conductor size should be such that it carries the load current (heating & voltage drop) Must have proper thickness of insulation (safety) Must have proper mechanical protection (rough handling) Materials used to manufacture the cable must be chemically stable

Components of a HV Cable

Cables Lecture.PDF

Components of a HV Cable

Components of a HV Cable

Components of a HV Cable

Components of a HV Cable
1 stranded copper conductor 2 - semi conductive screen layer 3 - insulation 4 - semi conductive screen 5 - copper tape screen layer/metallic layer 6 filler and tape 7 PVC inner sheath 8 stainless steel wire armour 9 PVC outer sheath

Components of a HV Cable
1 Cores or conductor One or more cores 2 - semi conductive screen layer To minimize the possibility of discharge at the inner surface of the dielectric 3 insulation Each core is insulated Thickness depends on voltage to be withstood by cable 4 - semi conductive screen 5 - copper tape screen layer/metallic sheath Protects the cable from moisture and other damaging liquids

Components of a HV Cable
6 filler and tape 7 PVC inner sheath Protect the metallic sheath from corrosion and damage due to the armouring 8 stainless steel wire armour Protects the cable from mechanical damage 9 PVC outer sheath Protects the armouring from atmospheric conditions

Components of a HV Cable Conductors

Copper or aluminium (Al) Stranded or solid Al is lighter than Cu and therefore easier to handle Al has a higher resistivity than Cu but is cheaper Care must be take when jointing Al cables Contact surfaces must be free from oxide

Insulating materials
Satisfactory operation depends on the characteristics of the insulation used Insulating materials used in cables must have the following properties: High insulation resistance to avoid leakage current High dielectric strength to avoid electrical breakdown of the cable High mechanical strength to withstand the mechanical handling

Insulating materials
Insulating materials used in cables must have the following properties: It should not absorb moisture from the air or soil (non hygroscopic) Non inflammable Low cost Resistant to chemical damage

Insulation Types
Paper insulation:
Been reliably used in the past rarely specified in new insulations Insulations deteriorates rapidly if exposed to moisture (hygroscopic nature) To prevent ingress of water, lead or corrugated aluminium alloy metal sheaths are used At high voltages (above 200 kV) paper suffers from dielectric losses (therefore reduction in cable rating) Cannot withstand the thermal effects of short circuit currents Joints and terminations often require special materials and labour

Insulation Types
Polypropylene Paper Laminate (PPL) insulation:
Used in applications above 200 kV that require oil filled cables Material consists of 50% polypropylene and 50% paper Has a lower dielectric loss factor than paper therefore heat generated within the insulation at high voltages is reduced Has a higher impulse strength compared to paper and can therefore operate at higher stress levels

Insulation Types
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) insulation:
Suitable for cables rated up to 7.2 kV Is non hygroscopic Requires no metallic sheath Absence of sheath simplifies joining Is lighter and more flexible than paper insulated cables PVC is thermoplastic material which softens at high temperature

Components of a HV Cable Insulation Types

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) insulation:
Cannot withstand the thermal effects of short circuit currents Maximum operating temperature is 650 C - 700 C Hardens at low temperature and becomes brittle (not suitable for applications below 00 C)

Insulation Types
Cross Linked Polyethylene (XLPE) insulation:
Has high dielectric strength Has good mechanical strength Is non hygroscopic Has no true melting point and remains elastic at high temperatures Has greater current carrying capacity and overload and short circuit performance

Components of a HV Cable Insulation Types

Ethylene Propylene Rubber (EPR) insulation:
Has the same durable and thermal characteristics of XLPE Has a higher degree of elasticity than XLPE over a wider temperature range

Components of a HV Cable Insulation Types

Mineral Insulated Mineral insulated copper conductor (MICC) cables are used for 600 V and 1000 V applications involving high temperature, rough mechanical handling, surface knocks and contact with oil Conductors are insulated with a highly compressed magnesium oxide compound surrounded by a copper or stainless steel tube Will operate continuously under fire conditions at sheath temperatures up to 2500 C Specified for high security applications (fire alarm sysyems) Impulse withstand capability is not as good as other insulation types