Training Note 2010-09-29

Importance of On-site testing and Diagnosis of Transmission Power Cables
Prof.dr.hab.ir. Edward Gulski, FIEEE

onsite.hv.solutions AG, Switzerland
Poznan University of Technology, Poland
Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands
In co-operation with:
Grid companies
International manufactures
Universities and not-forprofit organizations
IEEE HK Joint Chapter of PES/IAS/PELS/IES Seminar: Importance of On-site testing and Diagnosis of Transmission Power Cables
1.
Basic Aspects of Condition Assessment of Transmission Power Cables
2.
International Trends in Testing and Diagnosis
3.
Principles of using sinusoidal damped AC voltages for on-site energizing of

power cables
4.
Examples of Modern Condition Assessment of HV Power Cables
1.
Basic Aspects of Condition Assessment of Transmission Power Cables
2.
2.
International
International Trends
Trends in
in Testing
Testing and
and Diagnosis
Diagnosis
3.
3.
Principles
Principles of
of using
using sinusoidal
sinusoidal damped
damped AC
AC voltages
voltages for
for on
on--site
site energizing
energizing of
of
power
power cables
cables
4.
4.
Examples
Examples of
of Modern
Modern Condition
Condition Assessment
Assessment of
of HV
HV Power
Power Cables
Cables
On-site testing and diagnosis of (E) HV power cables
Quality and cable system integrity

of the cable circuit
New installed /
repaired cables
On-site testing
to:
exclude poor
workmanship
(installation defects)
Availability /reliability of the cable

circuit
Serviced aged
cables
On-site diagnosis
to:
detect local aging and
check insulation
degradation status
Asset management classification of the cable condition
On-site testing and diagnosis

voltage withstand
PD detection and diagnosis
New installed, diverted cables
quality and integrity
dielectric-loss diagnosis
Service aged cables
reliability and availability
maintenance and replacement
Asset management decision support
Asset management decision
Status
Condition
Maintenance goal
A New connection, very

good condition
New or aged: no defects or

aging symptoms
Minimal maintenance, go for optimal availability.
B Good condition
Aged: degradation
observed, possibly harmful
defects present
No impact on reliability. Keep in status B, against

minimal cost and maintain optimal availability.
Significantly aged: very

degraded, serous defects
present
Very low reliability. Instable situation, end as quick

as possible.
C Stable, but poor

condition
D Instable situation
E End of life cycle
Reliability decreased. Refurbish to status B, or if this

is not possible, stabilise to prevent quick aging.
Maintain optimal availability, by periodical condition
assessment.
No operation recommended. Maintenance aimed to

prevent environmental pollution and safe
conservation. Extension of life time or availability is
no issue.
Integral approach: non-destructive insulation condition assessment
Cable
termination
Cable
insulation
Cable joint
Weak -spots insulation condition

assessment by:
PD detection and localisation
at voltages up to 1.7 U0
-PDIV
-PD magnitudes at voltages up to 1.7xU0
-PD location
-PD patterns
Local defects
Integral insulation condition

assessment by:
Dielectric losses measurement up to 1.7U0
Return voltage measurement RVM

Voltage Withstand Diagnosis up to 1.7 U0
Global degradation
Typical defects in a power cable joints
Ref: NEETRAC
Typical defects in a power cable insulation
Ref: NEETRAC
Dielectric loss factor and PD magnitude
[Source: PD in Electrical Power Apparatus; ISBN 3-8007-1760-3]

Partial discharges: quantities
Discharge test. Any particular discharge larger than q0 measured below test voltage Ut leads to
rejection of the object under test, see shaded area.
Partial discharges: PD behavior of cable termination

[Source: PD in Electrical Power Apparatus; ISBN 38007-1760-3]
Dielectric properties of HV insulation
I.
All HV power cables have high voltage life expectancy;
II.
During the whole service life > 30 years they are subjected to thermal, mechanical and environmental
stresses;
III.
All these influences raise the working temperature of the HV power cable;
IV.
Higher temperature accelerates chemical reactions resulting in degradation of dielectric characteristics;
V.
Increase of degradation results in increases of loss factor and future degradation;
VI.
Measurement of dielectric losses is important issue to avoid failures.
Dielectric losses: physical origin of losses
Conductive losses
Dipole losses
Interface losses
Partial discharges losses
Dielectric loss factor of an oil-paper-insulated cable

Dielectric loss factor and PD magnitude of an oil-paper-insulated cable

1.
healthy cable
2.
insulation screen
damage 1cm2
3.
insulation screen
damage 6cm2
Dielectric losses: tan as function of the conductor temperature
Tan of a 150kV as function of the conductor temperature
Dielectric losses
1.
The tan measurement can be applied for the determination of the loss factor of the
insulation material. This factor increases during the ageing process of the cable.
2.
The tan measurement should be regarded as a diagnostic and/or supporting

measurement.
3.
In practice, in HV insulation is known that in addition to absolute value of tan at

certain test voltage also the increment of tan delta as measured at two designated
voltages so called tan or tip-up is important for condition assessment.
Se ction Alkm r-Oter3
L1
L2
0.5
L3
dielectric losses [%]
0.45
0.4
0.35
0.3
0.25
0.2
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
test voltage [kVpeak ]
1.
1.
Basic
Basic Aspects
Aspects of
of Condition
Assessment of
of Transmission
Transmission Power
Power Cabl
Cables
es
2.
International Trends in Testing and Diagnosis
3.
3.
Principles
Principles of
of using
using sinusoidal
sinusoidal damped
damped AC
AC voltages
voltages for
for on
on--site
site energizing
energizing of
of
power
power cables
cables
4.
4.
Examples
Examples of
of Modern
Modern Condition
Assessment of
of HV
HV Power
Power Cables
Cables
Norms (voltage testing)
Standards/norms/guides
Description
IEC 60840
Power cables with extruded insulation and the

accessories for rated voltages above 30kV up to 150kV
Test methods and requirements;
IEC 62067
Power cables with extruded insulation and the

accessories for rated voltages above 150kV;
IEC 60141
Tests on oil-filled and gas-pressure cables and their

accessories up to and including 400kV;
IEC 60060-3
High Voltage test techniques Part 3: Definitions and

requirements for on-site testing;
IEEE 400
Guide for Field Testing and Evaluation of the Insulation

of Shielded Power Cable Systems Rated 5KV and
Above.
International recommendations
Cable type
MV
(630 kV)
XLPE
PILC
(E) HV
(30 400 kV)
XLPE
Oil-filled
Internationally not
recommended
DC
VLF 0.1 Hz
AC 50 Hz
DAC 20-300 Hz
Installation test / Acceptance test
No
Yes*
Yes
Yes
Maintenance test / Diagnostic test
No
Yes*
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No ***
No **
Yes
Yes
No ***
No **
Yes
Yes
Yes
No **
Yes
Yes
No
No **
Yes
Yes
Internationally
recommended
* Partial discharge (PD) inception voltage (PDIV) can be different as compared to continuous and damped AC stresses
** according to
[1] IEC 60840 Power cables with extruded insulation and their accessories for rated voltages above 30 kV (Um = 36 kV) up to
150 kV (Um = 170 kV) Test methods and requirements.
[2] IEC 62067, Standard Power cables with extruded insulation and their accessories for rated voltages above 150 kV (Um =
170 kV) up to 500 kV (Um
*** according to
[3] Recommendations for a new after laying test method for HV extruded cable systems CIGRE 1990, Paris, paper 21-105
[4] CIGRE WG 21-09; After-laying tests o HV extruded cable systems; Elektra 173, August 1997
Effectiveness of routine HV withstand testing
Type of
insulation defect
A.
B.
C.
Homogenous
Weak
inhomogeneo
us
Strong
inhomogeneo
us
Example
Failure type
Breakdown test effectiveness /

PD presence effectiveness
AC
DAC
24Uo
DC
e.g. less or no
insulation, moisture
Breakdown,
No partial
discharges
/ --
/ --
/-
/ --
e.g. missing field

grading
Not necessary a
breakdown;
possible predischarges
/ -+
/ -+
/-
/-
/ -+
/-
e.g. sharp edges,

cavities, small
installation defects
Partial discharges
+ breakdown
NO PD -> No breakdown
/ ++
++
NO PD -> NO breakdown
Norms (PD detection)
TEST TYPE
DESCRIPTION
I.
AC or DAC voltage test & PD

measurement in accordance to
IEC60270, IEC885-3 and IEEE
400.3
a.
b.
c.
PD level measurement in [pC]

localization of PD in cable insulation
localization of PD in cable accessories
II.
AC or DAC voltage test & PD

measurement (unconventional) not
standardized (IEC 62478 under
preparation, Cigre WG D1.37)
a.
RF (up to 500 MHz) PD measurement

in [V]
detection of PD in cable accessories
only (not applicable for direct burred
cables)
b.
On-site electrical tests using AC and damped AC voltages
New installed cables
Repaired / refurbished
cables
Service aged
cables
Installation test /
Acceptance test
Maintenance test
Diagnostic test
Object
Test type
Evaluation
method
Voltage withstand test

Diagnostics: e.g.: partial discharges (PD)
dissipation factor (tan )
Monitored
Evaluation of the diagnostic
data
Acceptance
thresholds
Non-monitored
Criteria
Criteria Pass/Fail
Installation / Acceptance test
Maintenance / Diagnostic test
DAC excitations at max. test

voltage
Over -voltage
not failed
PD -free -> increase
failed
PD present -> evaluate

PD
observed
PD not
observed
Repair
Evaluation of PD
data
Harmful PD
Harmless PD
Test passed
DAC excitations at max. test voltage*

Over-voltage
(*) the time duration will be in accordance to

IEC recommendations or resp. to IEEE 400 document (50
excitations)
PD-free -> increase

PD present -> evaluate
Power cable rated

voltage
Ref
(*) AC/DAC voltage test level

Acceptance test
< 30kV
IEC 60502
Max. 3.0.2.0xUo
30kV-150kV
IEC 60840
Max. 2.01.7xUo
150kV-500kV
IEC 60067
Max. 1.71.1xUo
(*) AC/DAC voltage test level

Maintenance test
In general i has to be lower than
acceptance test e.g. 80%
1.
1.
Basic
Basic Aspects
Aspects of
of Condition
Assessment of
of Transmission
Transmission Power
Power Cabl
Cables
es
2.
2.
International
Trends in
in Testing
Testing and
and Diagnosis
Diagnosis
3.
Principles of using sinusoidal damped AC voltages for on-site energizing of

power cables
4.
4.
Examples
Examples of
of Modern
Modern Condition
Assessment of
of HV
HV Power
Power Cables
Cables
DAC voltage type equivalence to continuous AC voltage
continuous sinusoidal AC (20-300Hz)
damped sinusoidal AC (20-300Hz)
dielectric
losses
PD inception voltage PDIV
PD inception voltage PDIV
PD extinction voltage PDEV
PD extinction voltage PDEV
PD level in [pC]
PD level in [pC]
PD pattern information
< PD pattern information
Test over-voltage destructiveness > Test over-voltage destructiveness

Dielectric losses Dielectric losses
What is damped AC voltage ?
1. The damped alternating

voltage (DAC) is an
oscillating switching impulse
voltage (OSI) of quite low
damping and a frequency in
the range of 20Hz up to
400Hz.
2.
Damped AC voltages are accepted test voltages for on-site testing:

i.
IEC 60060-3 High Voltage test techniques Part 3: Definitions and
requirements for on-site testing
ii. IEEE 400 Guide for Field Testing and Evaluation of the Insulation
of Shielded Power Cable Systems
iii. IEEE 400.3 Guide for PD Testing of Shielded Power Cable Systems
in a Field Environment.
50kV
100kV
Example: PD as measured on a termination

of a 220kV power cable
150kV
International survey about using damped AC voltages (2007)

Purpose of testing using DAC voltages
partial discharge
measurement
voltage testing
23%
52%
25%
dielectric losses
measurement
Relevance of combining PD test and the voltage test
Yes: 50%
No: 50%
[Ref] IEEE PES Insulated Conductor Committee Spring 2008 Meeting, Minutes F05D Damped AC Voltages Testing

Voltage testing
Max. Utest 3xU0

18%
82%
Max. Utest 2xU0
Breakdown during voltage testing:
0% . 2%
Before breakdown PD has been measured:
81%

Test voltage level as used for PD measurements
Max. Utest 3xU0
18%
9%
Max. Utest 1xU0
73%
Max. Utest 2xU0

The present standards IEEE 400 is using the name Oscillating Waves (OW).
The present IEC 60060-3 is using the name damped alternating voltages (DAC).
To avoid any confusion between oscillating voltages in the range of kHz and damped AC voltage in the range of
20Hz-500Hz as there are in use 100% of responders support the proposal to change the name to DAC.
Damped AC On-site testing of (E) HV power cables
has been introduced by Seitz Instruments AG in Switzerland end of 90s.

Since than worldwide almost 200 systems are successfully implemented for testing and
diagnosis of distribution and transmission power cables using different OWTS (oscillating
wave test system) solutions:
OWTS 25 since 1999
OWTS HV 250 since 2004
OWTS M-series 28 since 2005
OWTS M-series 60 since 2006
OWTS HV 250 system
Example of a continuous AC voltage source
On-site testing and PD measurement on a 150 kV

XLPE cable at KEMA, The Netherlands, 1994
[Ref] ISBN 90-73192-5-6
Example of a damped AC voltage source
On-site testing and PD measurement on a 150 kV

external gas pressurized cable at a Dutch utility
Nuon, The Netherlands, 2007
technological progress
On-site testing of (E) HV power cables
Example of a continuous AC voltage source
Example of a damped AC voltage source
Weight: 20.000kg
Weight: 1.000kg
Supply voltage: 3 x 400V (200kVA)
Supply voltage: 8kW
Load: 20 nF - 5000 nF
Load: 20 nF 13000 nF
Output: AC 220kVrms (25 Hz - 300 Hz)
Output: DAC 250kVrms (20 Hz - 300 Hz)
Test object: power cables 220kV / 8km
Test object: power cables 220kV / 30km
Applicability for testing different power cable ratting

voltages
Power cable
rated voltages
[kV]
Uo
[kV]
HV 150
x Uo
HV 250
x Uo
HV 350
x Uo
66
38,1
2,8
110
63,5
1,7
2,8
132
76,2
1,4
2,3
150
86,6
1,2
2.0
2,8
220
127
0.8
1,4
1,9
330
190,5
0.9
1,3
380
219,4
Type HV150
Type HV350
1,1
Applicability for HV and

EHV power cables
Results of several successful comparison
tests as published by
Cigre (1990),
TU Delft/Kema (1999),
Cesi (2002),
EuroTest (2007),
TU Helsinki (2007),
Prysmian Cables and Systems BV,
EPRI State Grid, China (2010),
have demonstrated the applicability of
damped ac (dac) voltages.
OWTS HV technology uses damped

sinusoidal ac voltages in the range of 20Hz
up to 500Hz
Important Standards
IEC 60060-3: High Voltage test techniques

Part 3: Definitions and requirements for on-site testing;
IEEE 400: Guide for Field Testing and Evaluation of the
Insulation of Shielded Power Cable Systems;
IEEE 400.3: Guide for PD Testing of Shielded Power
Cable Systems in a Field Environment;
IEC 60270: Partial discharges measurements;
IEC 885-3 Test methods for partial discharges measurements on lengths
of extruded power cable;
IEC 60840: Power cables with extruded insulation and the accessories
for rated voltages above 30kV up to 150kV Test methods and
requirements;
OWTS HV 150 system
IEC 62067: Power cables with extruded insulation and the accessories
for rated voltages above 150kV;.
IEC 60141: Tests on oil-filled and gas-pressure cables and their
accessories
has been introduced in 1998 as a consequence

of experience in on-site ac testing on the one
hand and the technological progress in power
electronics and advanced signal processing on
the other hand and it is characterized by
lightweights measured with max. 6kg/MVA
compactness versus output voltage
system assembling and voltage erecting
effort
necessary power demand for long lengths
possibility of sensitive PD detection and tan
measurement
After-laying testing of new installed

HV and EHV cables using OWTS
HV system
The damped alternating voltage (dac) is an

oscillating switching impulse voltage (OSI) of quite
low damping and a frequency in the range of 20Hz
up to 400Hz
IEC 60060-3 Damped alternating

voltage

Principles of damped
sinusoidal ac (dac) voltage
generation
350kV HV divider and PD measuring unit

including measurement and control system
350kV external inductance build up with a

coil base, 3 coils and 1 coil with top
electrode
350kV switch unit
350 kV power unit, 2 parallel units in master

slave configuration which deliver 16 mA
generation
HV Source
HV Solid-State
Switch
Inductor L
Test Object: Power Cable
Cc
HV Divider
Process Control Unit
PD Coupling Capacitor
Data Storage
PD detector
PD Analysis
Dielectric losses
estimation
For the generation of dac voltages the capacitance of the HV power cable in series in a
large air-core inductor L in the range of few Hs is charged with a continuously increasing
HV voltage with a low current in the range of 10mA up to 30mA.
generation
HV Source
HV Solid-State
Switch
Inductor L
Test Object: Power Cable
Cc
HV Divider
Process Control Unit
PD Coupling Capacitor
Data Storage
PD detector
PD Analysis
Dielectric losses
estimation
By linear charging with continuously increasing HV voltage no steady state DC

conditions occur in the test object. After the LC loop is closed in a time e.g. < 1s by
HV solid-state switch in the loop a sinusoidal damped ac voltage with a frequency
between 20Hz and few hundreds of Hz is produced.
generation
OWTS HV 350 system

the dac voltage frequency is approximately the resonant frequency of the circuit
LC.
the maximum capacitance which can be tested using dac system can be calculated
in dependence of maximum test voltage applied and the permissible ac current in the
resonant circuit and is in the range up to 13F.
Examples of typical damped ac voltage frequencies for different lengths of two

typical 230kV power cables
Length [km]
XLPE (C=200pF/m) [Hz]
Oil filled (C=350pF/m) [Hz]
0.25
258
195
0.5
183
138
129
98
91
69
65
49
46
35
16
32
24
20
29
22

User steps
De-energizing and disconnection
of the HV power cable circuit
Connection of the OWTS HV system
Test object definition and IEC60270 PD calibration

Energizing the cable with dac voltages
Partial discharges
detection
Voltage
testing
Dielectric loss
measurement
Voltage withstand
test
Disconnection of the OWTS HV system

Analysis and report generation

User steps
Step 1: test object definition
Step 2: IEC60270 PD calibration

User steps
Step 3: voltage testing and diagnosis

User steps
Step 4: PD mapping generation
Step 5: report generation

Tools
Testing and diagnosis
IEC60270 standardized PD detection
PD-pattern generation
Advanced PD pulse analysis
TDR analysis of PD pulses
PD mapping in cable insulation and
accessories
Multiple PD sites localization
Dielectric loss estimation
2
1.8
1.6
D
ie
l.L
o
s
s
e
s
Tan and tan in function of the test

voltage
1.4
1.2
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
0.40
L1
L2
L3
0.80
1.00
1.36
x Uo
Experiences values of partial discharges (PD) evaluation criteria

for on-site electrical tests on power cables using damped AC (DAC) voltage
Cable type
PD site localisation
Condition assessment
Safe
Extruded new-installed /
service aged
cable insulation
Extruded service aged
accessories
Fluid-Filled (low pressure)

service aged
Semi safe
Not save
PD free*
PD free*
<100pC **
>100pC**
distributed; no local spot(s)
<100pC **
<500pC **
>1000pC **

service aged
spot(s) in cable insulation and

accessories
<50pC **
<200pC **
>200pC **
Fluid-Filled (high pressure)

/ Gas cable service aged
PD free*
<300pC **
>500pC**


accessories
PD free*
(*) PD free (PDIV > 1.3 Uo) and with an acceptable background noise level e.g. 25..50pC (standardized PD detection)
(**) only as an indication; depends on the PDIV, insulation type and condition of a individual cable

Experiences values of dielectric loss (tan and tan ) evaluation criteria
for on-site electrical tests on power cables using damped AC (DAC) voltage
Cable type
PD site localisation
Condition assessment
Safe
Semi safe
Not save
tan <0.1%
Extruded new-installed /
service aged
cable insulation
Extruded service aged
accessories
tan <0.1%
tan <0.1%***
tan <0.2%
tan <0.1%***
tan >0.2%
tan >0.1%***

service aged
tan <0.2%
tan <0.1%***
tan <0.3%
tan <0.2%***
tan >0.3%
tan >0.2%***

service aged

accessories
tan <0.2%
tan <0.1%***
tan <0.3%
tan <0.2%***
tan >0.3%
tan >0.2%***

tan <0.2%
tan <0.1%***
tan <0.3%
tan <0.2%***
tan >0.3%
tan >0.2%***


accessories
tan <0.3% / tan <0.2%***
(***) tip-up value between 0.5Uo and 2Uo [IEC 60141]
1.
1.
Basic
Basic Aspects
Aspects of
of Condition
Assessment of
of Transmission
Transmission Power
Power Cabl
Cables
es
2.
2.
International
Trends in
in Testing
Testing and
and Diagnosis
Diagnosis
3.
3.
Principles
Principles of
of using
using sinusoidal
sinusoidal damped
damped AC
AC voltages
voltages for
for on
on--site
site energizing
energizing of
of
power
power cables
cables
4.
Examples of Modern Condition Assessment of HV Power Cables
Examples
No 1: New 132kV XLPE
Cable data:
Location: Malaysia
Installation year: 2009
Cable length: 7700m
Operation voltage: Uo= 76kVrms
Damped AC frequency during test: 44Hz
Cable capacitance (one phase): 1.64uF
History: Breakdown in two joints during soaking test
Examples
TDR analysis examples:
L1 (Red)
L2 (Yellow)
Examples
No 1: New 132kV XLPE cable
PD mappings and histograms:
Voltage
PD Mappings
PD Histograms
70kV
110kV
Examples
PD measurements results (after repair):
800
700
PD [pC]
600
500
L1
400
L2
L3
300
200
100
0
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
Voltage [kV]
Voltage Withstand Test @ 1.4xUo (50 excitations-30min per phase):
Voltage Withstand Test passed by three phases however in L1 PD were localized

Examples
No 2: New 132kV XLPE cable

Insulation type: XLPE
Cable length: 1700m
Voltage ratting: Uo =76 kVrms
Measuring DAC frequency: 95Hz,
Cable capacitance: 0.38uF
Up to 1.4Uo (106kVrms) no PD activity in the cable has been observed.
Examples
No 3: Serviced aged 110kV XLPE cable
Insulation type: early XLPE (manufactured by
Russian Cable Company)
Number of joint: Unknown (due to repayments
different number of joints in each cable phase)
Length: 1500m
Localization: Moscow
History:
5 years after installation, unexpected random
breakdowns in all phases due to electrical treeing.
Investigation showed that cable samples taken from
deteriorated phases showed a symptom of water
treeing phenomenon and electrical treeing.
Last breakdown occurred in 2009. Cable was repaired
and tested with OWTS 150 HV before putting to
operation service.
Examples
Diagnostic (energizing up to Uo 64kVrms/90kVpeak) due to service history
L1
L2
L3
10kV
70/40/70kV
90kV
Examples
PD vs. Test Voltage

PD vs. Test Voltage [kV]
500
[pC]
400
L1
300
L2
200
L3
100
0
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
[kVpeak]
Examples
Dielectric loss estimation ( tan )
Examples
PD localization (TDR) phase L2
Examples
PD mapping L1,L2,L3 (40kVpeak)
Examples
Examples
Examples
No 4: Serviced aged 110kV EGP
Testing 110kV external gas- pressure cable circuit (2.2 F), length 8.5 km using damped
AC voltages (40 Hz); power grid in Holland
Examples
L1
L2
L3
PD at Uo diagnostic results (left: IEC 60270 phase revolved PD pattern, right: HF PD pulse sequences
Examples
Phase 4 (yellow) shows different behavior as compared to other phases: at Uo voltage PD activity has been observed.
Examples
TDR analysis of data from phase 4 (yellow) shows that there are no significant concentrations of PD activity in the
cable insulation and cable accessories.
A number of PD-pulses have been localized in the total length indication distributed characteristics.
Examples
No 5: 110kV XLPE cable
Test Measurement procedure damped AC voltages
1. The test voltage is raised in steps of 10 kV and three excitations at each voltage level are
performed.
2. At the selected maximum voltage level voltage withstand test up to 1.7Uo is performed: 50
excitations (IEEE 400) or 1hrs (IEC 60840).
3. Final maximum test voltage depends on PDIV and PD magnitude at PDIV.
4. During the voltage test PD and the dielectric losses is measured.
No
.
U rms [kV]
U peak [kV]
7.1
10
14.1
20
21.2
30
140
28.3
40
120
35.4
50
42.4
60
49.5
70
56.6
80
63.6
90
10
70.7
100
11
77.8
110
20
12
84.9
120
13
91.9
130
14
99.0
140
15
106.1
150
U peak [kV
160
100
80
60
40
0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.6 1.7
x Uo
Examples
Goal field investigation:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Possibility of energizing the test circuit with damped ac voltages

IEC 60270 Calibration of the test circuit in its full range
PD Measurement according to IEC 60270
PD Localization according to TDR method (VHF mode)
Voltage withstand test
Phase:
A
B
Dielectric losses measurement
48 Hz damped AC test set up

Cable circuit: 110kV XLPE (5.77km)
Far-end of the 110 kV XLPE cable in GIS

Due to presence of non-disconnected VT in GIS
phase A was not tested
Examples
Phase C
Phase B
90kV (Uo)
140kV (1.55xUo)
90kV (Uo)
120kV (1.33xUo)
Examples
600
L2 B
Q-V graphics
L3 C
500
[pC]
400
300
200
100
0
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
[kV] peak
90kV (Uo)
DAC voltages withstand test of 50

excitations (18 minutes) at 1.1Uo
Examples
PD mapping @ 140 kV (1.6 Uo)
Examples
0.25
Dielectric loss
[%]
0.2
0.15
0.1
0.05
0
0.4 Uo
Uo
1.3 Uo
Ur
Phase B
Phase C
Examples
No 6: Serviced aged 50kV oil-filled cable
Installation year:
1958
Insulation type:
oil filled
Cable length:
9.6km
Power cable capacitance:
2.8uF
Damped AC frequency:
35Hz
Service history:
Oil-leakages in L1 and L2
Examples
Oil filled (1968); 6.8km
Up to 1xUo no PD activity has been observed.

Starting at 1.3Uo up to 1.7Uo PD activity has been
observed close to the near cable termination and at
the joint No 14 position. Due to the fact that PDIV >
Uo during normal operation no PD occur on the
above mentioned sites
The measured values vary between 0.29% and

0.42%;
With the test voltage increase up to 1.7 Uo the
max increase is 0.075%
Examples
2
1.8
Installation year:
Insulation type:
Cable length:
Voltage ratting:
Cable capacitance:
On-site testing using
damped ac voltages:
1976
Oil-filled
13.314 m
Uo = 132 kVrms
4 F
Diel. Losses
1.6
1.4
1.2
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
0.40
L1
L2
L3
0.80
1.00
1.36
x U_0
(29 Hz) up to 1.36 Uo
Examples
2
1.8
Installation year:
Insulation type:
Cable length:
Voltage ratting:
Cable capacitance:
On-site testing using
damped ac voltages:
1982
Oil-filled
27.513 m
Uo = 132 kVrms
8.5 F
Diel. Losses
1.6
1.4
1.2
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
0.40
(20 Hz) up to 1.36 Uo
L1
L2
L3
0.80
1.00
1.36
x Uo
Conclusions
1.
Electrical testing on-site is an important step of quality insurance of new/repaired and service aged cable
systems.
2.
Enhanced voltage testing up to e.g. 2.5xU0 of defect-free /non aged insulation does not have destructive
influence on the service life of the component.
3.
Enhanced voltage testing up to e.g. 2.5xU0 of defective/aged insulation may have destructive influence on
the service life of the component. Even if no breakdown has occurred.
4.
The Utest/U0 ratio decreases for on-site testing of HV cables above 150kV and therefore it has to be
compensated by additional measures e.g. PD detection.
5.
Service aged HV power cables are important assets and there is an increasing need to obtain information
about actual condition by applying integral and defect related on-site diagnostics.
6.
Sinusoidal damped AC voltages (DAC) can be applied for voltage testing of power cables (up to 380kV
cable systems) in combination with diagnostic measurements.
7.
Partial discharges, dielectric losses diagnostic measurements at damped AC voltages can be used for nondestructive on-site testing and diagnosis of new and service aged power cables.
8.
Combining on-site testing with PD detection provides information about discharging insulation defects and
about the fact if the on-site test had a destructive impact on the insulation system.
9.
For HV and EHV power cables more attention is needed to implement on-site testing and diagnosis.
Contacts for further information
Seitz Instruments AG
Mellingerstrasse 12
5443 Niederrohrdorf
Switzerland
phone 41 56 496 7480
fax +41 56 496 7485
www.seitz-instruments.ch
SebaKMT GmbH
Dr. Herbert Iann Str.6
96148 Baunach
Germany
phone +49 9544 680
fax
+49 9544 2273
www.sebakmt.com
onsite.hv.solutions AG
Tpferstrasse 5
6004 Luzerne
Switzerland
phone: + 41 41 500 0550
fax: + 41 41 500 0551
www.onsitehv.com

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Importance of On-site testing and Diagnosis of Transmission Power Cables

Prof.dr.hab.ir. Edward Gulski, FIEEE

Universities and not-forprofit organizations

Basic Aspects of Condition Assessment of Transmission Power Cables

International Trends in Testing and Diagnosis

Principles of using sinusoidal damped AC voltages for on-site energizing of

Examples of Modern Condition Assessment of HV Power Cables

Basic Aspects of Condition Assessment of Transmission Power Cables

On-site testing and diagnosis of (E) HV power cables

Quality and cable system integrity

Availability /reliability of the cable

Asset management classification of the cable condition

On-site testing and diagnosis

PD detection and diagnosis

New installed, diverted cables

quality and integrity

Service aged cables

reliability and availability

maintenance and replacement

Asset management decision support

Asset management decision

A New connection, very

New or aged: no defects or

Minimal maintenance, go for optimal availability.

No impact on reliability. Keep in status B, against

Significantly aged: very

Very low reliability. Instable situation, end as quick

C Stable, but poor

Reliability decreased. Refurbish to status B, or if this

No operation recommended. Maintenance aimed to

Integral approach: non-destructive insulation condition assessment

Weak -spots insulation condition

Integral insulation condition

Return voltage measurement RVM

Typical defects in a power cable joints

Typical defects in a power cable insulation

Dielectric loss factor and PD magnitude

[Source: PD in Electrical Power Apparatus; ISBN 3-8007-1760-3]

Partial discharges: quantities

Partial discharges: PD behavior of cable termination

Dielectric properties of HV insulation

All HV power cables have high voltage life expectancy;

Higher temperature accelerates chemical reactions resulting in degradation of dielectric characteristics;

Increase of degradation results in increases of loss factor and future degradation;

Measurement of dielectric losses is important issue to avoid failures.

Dielectric losses: physical origin of losses

Dielectric loss factor of an oil-paper-insulated cable

Dielectric loss factor and PD magnitude of an oil-paper-insulated cable

Dielectric losses: tan as function of the conductor temperature

Tan of a 150kV as function of the conductor temperature

The tan measurement should be regarded as a diagnostic and/or supporting

In practice, in HV insulation is known that in addition to absolute value of tan at

Se ction Alkm r-Oter3

dielectric losses [%]

test voltage [kVpeak ]

International Trends in Testing and Diagnosis

Norms (voltage testing)

Power cables with extruded insulation and the

Power cables with extruded insulation and the

Tests on oil-filled and gas-pressure cables and their

High Voltage test techniques Part 3: Definitions and

Guide for Field Testing and Evaluation of the Insulation

Installation test / Acceptance test