Cable Fault Location Services with LIRA Technology (Line Resonance Analysis)

General approach The objective of Asset Services is to ensure fault-free operations and to minimize the need for fault recovery. Thats also the case for cable grids or connections. If a failure nevertheless occurs, its essential to quickly locate cable faults in the most accurate manner possible. Although the cables are highly developed, there are sometimes failures in cable networks. Even properly installed cables can face progressive degradation due to harsh environmental conditions such as overheating, excessive moisture, corrosive environments, mechanical stress and aging of the insulation. To keep the consequential damages as small as possible, we offer trained staff and efficient equipment. Our Cable Fault Location Services performed with LIRA Technology will together with other inspection tools provide the grid operator with a wear-free and comprehensive fault location methodology for a fast recovery time. LIRA can detect: degradations due to temperature, bends, scratches, corrosion, water intrusion, mechanical impacts, fatigue, water trees, etc. insulation material degradation cable joints e.g. between different cable types

Fault location device in a 110-kV underground GIS substation, Source: Wirescan AS

Your benefits at a glance With LIRA Cable Fault Locations Services the grid operator can minimize the recovery time and establish promptly and effectively the necessary corrective measures. LIRA offers fault location with the best accuracy compared with alternative technologies. Degradations can be assessed precisely and by that corrective actions can be planned in advance. By that, LIRA can save significant cost for fault recovery due to shorter repair times. Historical cable reports provide an early warning system for potential faults. LIRA is a wear-free location methodology with only 5 V white noise. LIRA has no limitations in cable length and type.

In case of mechanical impact on cables, LIRA measurements will be performed also to evaluate the severity of any damage on the cable system. This ensures maximum operational reliability. Of course, all measured data will be stored like a fingerprint for future use e.g. for introduction of condition based maintenance (CBM), based on regular assessments or even online condition monitoring. The cable Fault Finding Services are available from our local representatives.

The benefits apply to Transmission & Distribution grids On- and Offshore wind parks Process Industry Oil- and Gas Industry Topside and submarine cables (incl. umbilical) (Nuclear) Power Plants I&C and Power cables Cable Manufacturers Reference measurements Quality control

Monitoring, Diagnostics & Cable Services

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Hot spot signature

Gain (dB) 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500

Hot spot location: 137.28 m Hot spot location measured from the subsea end.

Distance (m)

Insulation damage identified by LIRA

The LIRA technology LIRA is a system for real-time diagnosis and condition based monitoring of installed electric cables. LIRA can measure cable length ranges from a less than 50 meters to several hundred kilometers, depending by the cable design and electric attenuation. The LIRA technology is a non-destructive test method, and will not damage any part of your cable or any equipment connected to the cable. The LIRA technology is based on the transmission line theory, through the estimation and analysis of the complex line impedance as a function of the applied signal frequency. LIRA can monitor the global, progressive degradation of the cable insulation, cable stealth and cable conductor caused either by to harsh environment conditions, or mechanical stresses. LIRA is especially sensitive to small changes in the insulation material, which allows an early indication of challenged areas, detecting and localizing single and multiple faults and their severity. LIRA measurements are recorded and can be played back and analyzed off-site. Reports in MS-Excel format are automatically generated. The recorded measurements can be stored as reference information (fingerprints) for later comparison

with repeated measurements. The identification of new damage to the cable can thus be monitored and recorded. The system consists of off the shelf hardware plus connection devices and proprietary software performing the failure analysis, degradation analysis and cable simulations. Together with Siemens Integrated Substation Condition Monitoring, LIRA can help to distinguish between different root causes as it is possible to deliver a full condition status and possible fault type and location with better accuracy then other methods. Features Best-in-class cable diagnostic system. Sensitive to small degradation and defects. Accurate Hot-Spots and deviations location. Non intrusive and non destructive. Applicable on multi-segment systems with different cable types. Pre-study/simulation of cable data and defects. LIRA performs a power spectrum analysis of impedance phase and amplitude an advanced detection method of abnormal conditions. Fast and simple connection to test object. Only one access point needed for measuring.

LIRA provides possibility to zoom in on blind zone at the near end termination. This feature enables detailed, high resolution measurements in the cable end close to the connection point. For all voltage levels from control cables to high voltage cables.

Main data and applications Measuring range From 15 m to several 100 km Frequency range 0 to 100 MHz Voltage Level 5 Vpp, white noise Operating Mode Acquire data Simulate cable data and defects Playback data for post-analysis Accuracy Better than 0.5 % of cable length Cable types I&C cables Low & medium voltage High voltage AC/DC Single and multiple conductors Insulation types PE, XLPE, PVC, PILC, EPR Hypalon, Lipalon and more

For more information please contact your local Siemens sales representative.

Published by and copyright 2010: Siemens AG Energy Sector Freyeslebenstrasse 1 91058 Erlangen, Germany Siemens AG Energy Sector Power Distribution Division Transmission and Distribution Services Humboldtstrasse 59 90459 Nuremberg, Germany www.siemens.com/energy/services

For more information, please contact our Customer Support Center. Phone: +49 180/524 70 00 Fax: +49 180/524 24 71 (Charges depending on provider) E-mail: support.energy@siemens.com

Power Distribution Division Order No. E50001-E730-A160-X-4A00 Printed in Germany Dispo 19210, c4bs No. 7824 TH 347-100599 481743 DB 07101.0 LIRA Registered trademark, Pantent pending, owned by Wirescan AS.

All rights reserved. Trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of Siemens AG, its affiliates, or their respective owners. Subject to change without prior notice. The information in this document contains general descriptions of the technical options available, which may not apply in all cases. The required technical options should therefore be specified in the contract.

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