Strategies for field testing medium voltage cables

In power systems where failures and power outages are unacceptable, preventative maintenance activities must be a priority. This article attempts to clarify the issues involved in condition assessment of cable systems. It outlines the available test methods, reviews deterioration and failure mechanisms affecting the common cable types, provides simplified guidelines for deciding which tests will provide the best condition assessment information for each situation. The IEEE 400 standard might be the most widely used which provide information about field testing MV cables and components.