Title :
Medium voltage cable defects revealed by off-line partial discharge testing at power frequency
Author :
Mashikian, M.S. ; Szarkowski, A.
Author_Institution :
IMCORP, Storrs, CT
Abstract :
This paper describes typical cable defects uncovered while testing over 9,000 km of medium voltage XLPE insulated cables. After a brief review of the testing method, the procedure that led to the identification, localization, and characterization of typical defects found in operating cables is described. The paper also discusses the "conversion" of water trees (WT) to electrical trees (ET) which are associated with partial discharge (PD) activity in the context of laboratory research. Based on actual service performance of cables, several cases in which ETs associated with WTs did not lead to cable failure even after several years of service in very harsh operating environments are cited
Keywords :
XLPE insulation; partial discharges; power cable insulation; power cable testing; trees (electrical); electrical trees; medium voltage XLPE cable insulation; medium voltage cable defects; off-line partial discharge testing; power frequency; water trees; Cable insulation; Communication cables; Delamination; Dielectrics and electrical insulation; Frequency; Medium voltage; Partial discharges; Semiconductivity; System testing; Trees - insulation;
Journal_Title :
Electrical Insulation Magazine, IEEE
DOI :
10.1109/MEI.2006.1678355
