Database support for condition assessment of distribution power cables

In order to detect changes in the insulation at an early stage and to gain insight to the maximum service life of a power cable, predictive maintenance is often recommended and in several cases already in use. To enable predictive maintenance the need arises for structured condition assessment of the power cables, by the use of diagnostic techniques. During the service life of distribution power cables the insulating materials are subject to structural changes. In most cases these changes can be seen as a degradation of the insulation properties of particular power cables. This contribution discusses the pitfalls and application of the combination of condition assessment, diagnostics and information systems applied to distribution power cables.