Cable design for subsea power links

The installation of subsea cable presents many challenges in the fields of mechanical and marine engineering. The cable must withstand the significant mechanical forces that are generated during installation due to its own weight and the action of tidal currents. The installed cable is also at risk from damage by anchors, fishing activity, vessel impact, and movement of the cable or seabed terrain. To protect the cable during laying or in service, metallic armor wires are applied in one or two layers to the construction as part of the manufacturing process, however, additional protection can be offered by burying the cable in the seabed using a variety of jetting, ploughing, or trenching techniques. This article describes the choices of cable design that exist for subsea power links and the merits of these various designs. The manufacture and installation of long continuous lengths of subsea power cable is discussed with reference to some key installations.