Modelling of fault detection in electrical wiring

Electrical wiring and cables, in many cases buried deep, in many systems and environments suffer damage. In some cases the damage only affects wire insulation and is not usually detected under normal operating conditions. This study discusses computer modelling of electrical wires, based on time-domain reflectometry using trains of successive pulses which were used in order to develop techniques and test procedures that would lead to identification of these types of faults. This study shows detailed simulations of defects in insulation of electrical wires and in cable shields, using dedicated electromagnetic modelling computation software. The results of simulations were compared with those obtained in experimental measurement for wires and cables of several metres in length. Comparison of the analysed measurement results for this novel technique shows clear indication of its relevance to flaw detection in electrical wires, guided through simulation.