Selectivity of damped AC (DAC) and VLF voltages in after-laying tests of extruded MV cable systems

The purpose of HV after-laying tests on cable systems on-site is to check the quality of installation. The test on extruded MV cable systems is usually a voltage test. However, in order to enhance the quality of after installation many researchers have proposed performance of diagnosis tests such as detection, location and identification of partial discharges (PD) and tan /spl delta/ measurements. Damped AC voltage (DAC) also called oscillating voltage waves (OVW) is used for PD measurement in after-laying tests of new cables and in diagnostic test of old cables. Continuous AC voltage of very low frequency (VLF) is used for withstand voltage tests as well as for diagnostic tests with PD and tan /spl delta/ measurements. Review on the DAC and VLF tests to detect defects during on-site after-laying tests of extruded MV cable systems is presented. Selectivity of DAC and VLF voltages in after-laying testing depends on different test parameters. PD process depends on type and frequency of the test voltage and hence, the breakdown voltage is different. The withstand voltage of XLPE cable insulation decreases linearly with increasing frequency in log scale. Experimental studies with artificial XLPE cable model indicate that detection of defects with DAC or VLF voltage can be done at a lower voltage than with DC. DAC voltage is sensitive in detecting defects that cause a breakdown due to void discharge, while VLF is sensitive in detecting defects that cause breakdown directly led by inception of electrical trees.     

High voltage VLF testing of power cables

This publication describes a laboratory test program conducted with the objective to develop a test that would replace the existing DC withstand test. The article describes the methodology used to establish the voltage duration and magnitude of VLF (0.1 Hz) high voltage field tests suitable for crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) insulated power cable. The results show that the voltage breakdown of laboratory aged XLPE cable at 0.1 Hz is approximately equal to that at 60 Hz, that proof tests at 0.1 Hz cause very little damage to the cable, and that 0.1 Hz testing appears to be a satisfactory alternate to DC testing. Preliminary values are suggested for voltage magnitude and time duration of cable acceptance, maintenance and proof tests at 0.1 Hz for XLPE cable rated up to 35 kV. A program is underway to similarly evaluate samples of service-aged XLPE cable; as well as to demonstrate the use of the preliminary test values at typical utility installations     

电力电缆的现场试验与诊断

本文介绍电力电缆现场试验和诊断的现状和发展。直流电压试验作为一种对油浸纸绝缘电缆非常有效的方法应用至今 ,但它对塑料绝缘电缆是无效而且有害的。文中讨论了近几年以来开发的 0 .1Hz VL F法、CDA法、OWTS法以及变频谐振试验系统。用变频谐振试验系统进行的 2 0～ 30 0 Hz交流电压试验已被 IEC确认为高压和超高电力电缆的主要试验方法。     

Condition assessment of distribution PILC cables from electrical, chemical, and dielectric measurements

A study was conducted to evaluate some new diagnostic techniques enabling users to effectively manage their paper-insulated, lead-covered (PILC) cable assets. The objective is to present the results obtained with four diagnostic techniques designed for use on in-service cables, but used only to a limited extent on PILC cables. These techniques are LIpATEST leakage current test method, isothermal relaxation current (IRC), return voltage method (RVM), and dielectric spectroscopy. In addition, the AC breakdown strength of the cable was also measured. The differences between the titration measurements and the predictions made by AC breakdown and the non-destructive techniques, such as RVM and dielectric spectroscopy, were noted with specific reference to moisture content in the cables. The different diagnostic techniques used in the study gave a reasonably consistent and coherent evaluation of the insulation condition of several field-aged PILC cables. The moisture content deduced from RVM and dielectric spectroscopy does not agree with Karl-Fischer titration of the same samples. It is suggested that aging induces more detrimental polarization processes in the cable oil, whose impact on electrical properties is still unknown but appears to be much more influential than moisture for the cables tested. The results confirm a previous suggestion that PILC cables kept under load are not significantly affected by water ingress.     

Comparative laboratory evaluation of TR-XLPE and XLPE cables with Super-smooth conductor shields

This paper provides data on four commercial tree retardant crosslinked polyethylene (TR-XLPE) and one cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulated 15 kV cables supplied by three manufacturers. The cables have "super-smooth" conductor shields and "extra-clean" insulation and insulation shields. AC and impulse voltage breakdown and selected other characterization data are presented for cables that were aged immersed in room temperature water (15-30/spl deg/C) up to 24 months of a planned 48 months aging program. The five cables have high ac voltage breakdown strength, three of the TR-XLPE cables, actually increased in breakdown strength during aging. The one TR-XLPE cable that had the lowest ac voltage breakdown had vented trees at the insulation shield and high dissipation factor, which the other cables did not have. The impulse voltage breakdown strength of all cables decreased during aging; the cable with the lowest ac voltage breakdown also has the lowest impulse voltage breakdown. The dissimilar performance of the TR-XLPE cables and the excellent performance of the XLPE cable indicates evaluations at longer times are required to differentiate between modern TR-XLPE and XLPE insulated cables.     

适用于柔性直流电网的500 kV级直流电缆与架空线路并联运行控制及保护策略

高压直流电缆是跨海长距离输电和新能源并网的重要装备,高电压等级、高通流能力的直流电缆还处于研发阶段。为推进高压直流电缆研发,考验长期运行性能,依托国内某±500 kV柔性直流电网工程建立了直流电缆综合试验站。该柔性直流工程线路主要采用架空线,试验站位于其中一个换流站单极出线处,采用直流电缆与架空线路并联运行方式,其运行控制和保护配合复杂、可靠性要求极高,尚无工程经验可循。针对500 kV级直流电缆试验段与架空线路并联切换运行的接线方式,提出了试验站直流电缆监视和投入退出控制策略、故障保护策略以及过负荷运行控制保护策略。仿真试验结果证明,所提策略可保证直流电缆接入柔性直流电网后可靠运行。     

VLF电压试验电压幅值与试验时间的优选

VLF电压试验电压(UT)和试验时间(tT)的选取直接影响到有效地发现绝缘缺陷的概率,但目前电力电缆线路VLF电压试验时如何选取UT和tT仍无明确结论。1980年以来各国标准规定值差异很大,试验的有效性和等效性尚在探讨之中,目前一般取UT=2~3.5U0(U0为相电压),tT=15~60 min。长期积累的运行经验和理论及试验研究证实,延长tT和提高UT将对电缆介质造成不可逆损害,导致介质早期击穿。因此结合国内外现场和试验室研究结果并采用数理统计分析的方法优选了VLF(0.1 Hz)UT和tT。结果表明:UT=3U0时,tT取40 min,基本能够满足电力电缆线路绝缘品质判别的现场试验要求。     

Application of dielectric response measurement on power cable systems

Water treeing is one of the factors leading to failure of medium voltage XLPE cables in long-term service. Increased moisture content inside oil-paper insulated cable is not desirable. To identify water tree degraded XLPE cables or oil-paper cables with high moisture content, diagnostic tests based on dielectric response (DR) measurement in time and frequency domain are used. Review of individual DR measurement techniques in the time and frequency domains indicates that measurement of one parameter in either domain may not be sufficient to reveal the status of the cable insulation. But a combination of several DR parameters can improve diagnostic results with respect to water trees present in XLPE cables or increased moisture content in oil-paper cables. DR measurement is a very useful tool that reveals average condition of cable systems. However, it is unlikely that DR measurement will detect few, but long water trees. In addition, DR cannot locate the defect or water tree site within the cable system. Combination of DR and partial discharge (PD) measurements can improve diagnostic results with respect to global and local defects. However, it is doubtful whether PD test can identify the presence of water trees inside a cable in a nondestructive manner. Further research is needed for more detailed conclusions regarding the status of a particular insulation and for predicting the remaining life of the insulation system.     

Examination and location of partial discharge sites in severelyaged underground distribution cables

This paper presents the results of laboratory investigations of partial discharge (PD) in field aged XLPE underground power cables. PD measurements were made on sixty-one cable samples over a three year period. When PD was detected, the magnitude was measured and a site location was determined. PD site locations were predicted using time delay estimations between PD pulses arriving at opposite ends of the test cable. Fourteen of the samples tested had detectable levels of PD. Some of these PD sites extinguished during the measurement period and were returned to rated voltage aging. When samples had continuously active PD sites, they were either dissected or returned to the aging test. Four sites of this type were found allowing two for dissection and two for aging. Seven of the samples failed after PD measurements. All seven failed near the predicted PD location. During the PD testing, no test cables contained PD which initiated at or below operating voltage. When PD detection equipment was monitoring cables which failed, the failures occurred from 2 to 80 minutes after the presence of PD pulses was detected     

35 kV及以下XLPE电力电缆试验方法的研究

通过对交链聚乙烯（ＸＬＰＥ）电力电缆试品的工频、０．１Ｈｚ超低频和振荡３种击穿电压的平行比对试验研究,探讨能够有效发现、判别ＸＬＰＥ电力电缆运行故障隐患的试验方法,试验研究结果表明：振荡波电压试验能够有效地发现电力电缆及其附件的制造和安装质量缺陷,超低频电压试验能够有效地发现电力电缆及其附件绝缘树枝状早期劣化缺陷;工频电压试验是一种较好的方法,需进一步深入研究。     

Dielectric spectroscopy for diagnosis of water tree deteriorationin XLPE cables

An HV dielectric spectroscopy system has been developed for diagnostics of water tree deteriorated extruded medium voltage cables. The technique is based on the measurement of nonlinear dielectric response in the frequency domain. Today's commercially available systems are capable of resolving low loss and small variations of permittivity as a function of frequency and voltage. Experience from more than 200 field measurements was combined with laboratory investigations. Small samples were used in an accelerated aging test to elucidate the correlation between water tree growth and dielectric response. Furthermore, field aged cables were investigated in the laboratory. It has been shown that the dielectric response of water tree deteriorated crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) cables can be recognized and classified into different types of responses related to the aging status and breakdown strength. The influence of termination and artifacts such as surface currents was investigated. The measurement method enables us to separate the response of the cable from the influence of accessories. Finally, two different field studies of the implementation of the diagnostic method are presented. The field studies show that the fault rate decreased significantly when replacement strategy was based on the diagnostic criteria formulated     

极性转换电路在XLPE电缆超低频耐压试验中的优化设计

0.1 Hz超低频余弦方波耐压系统,由于与工频耐压系统有良好的等效性且具备体积小,重量轻,能有效的检测出交联聚乙烯电力电缆(简称XLPE电力电缆)的绝缘缺陷等优点,在XLPE电力电缆耐压试验的应用越来越多。但现有超低频设备的极性转换电路设计有二阶阻尼震荡,造成能量损失,使得极性转换后正负电压不一致;由于XLPE电缆的特殊空间结构,这样会增加XLPE电力电缆的空间电荷积累量,最终对电缆造成隐性伤害。针对以上问题,提出了采用反向可馈电的极性转换电路的设计方法来解决此问题。通过Matlab/Simulink仿真表明:此方法能够补充极性转换过程的能量损失,使得极性转换后正负电压一致;仿真结果与理论分析一致,验证了设计的正确性。     

电热联合老化对XLPE电缆绝缘特性的影响

为了探究达到设计寿命的高压交联电缆继续运行的可靠性,文中对一回实际运行32 a的110 kV高压交联聚乙烯(XLPE)电缆采用预鉴定试验方法,进行为期180 d的电热循环加速老化试验。通过综合分析比较试验过程中电缆绝缘内、中和外层的电场强度和温度场变化的差异,并将各绝缘层试验条件转化为导体芯表面得到相应的等效试验条件,发现电缆绝缘中层和外层的等效试验条件接近电缆的实际运行情况。通过相关理化实验分析比较试验前后电缆绝缘各层的微观和聚集态状况。结果发现:绝缘内层在严苛的试验条件下热氧化降解占主导;绝缘中层虽然发生一定的氧化降解,但晶体结构仍有所改善;绝缘外层的结晶形态在温度效应的热刺激下趋于完善。因此,可以评估该退役电缆的其余部分在实际运行条件下仍具有长期服役的潜能。     

Metallic particle motion and breakdown characteristics in GIS with 0.1‐Hz VLF (very low frequency) high voltage applied

VLF (Very Low Frequency) high voltage with frequency of 0.1 Hz will be utilized for an on‐site test of XLPE underground cables, instead of conventional dc high voltage test. Since XLPE cables are connected to GIS (Gas Insulated Switchgears) in substations, the influence of VLF voltage application to GIS insulation should be investigated. One of the most important characteristics for GIS insulation lies in the metallic particle contamination and its behavior, which may induce breakdown in GIS. From the above viewpoint, this paper discusses the metallic particle behavior and breakdown characteristics under VLF voltage application in GIS. Experimental results revealed that (1) Particle motion under VLF condition was similar to that under dc condition, while specific in the transient behavior at the polarity reversal. (2) Breakdown was induced by particles located in the vicinity of high voltage conductor at the instance of crossing the gap or in the firefly conditions. (3) Breakdown voltage in positive half cycle was higher than that in negative half cycle at the lower gas pressure, while lower at the higher gas pressure, which was attributed to the particle behavior and the breakdown mechanism of SF₆ gas. Consequently, metallic particles in GIS under VLF voltage application exhibited the specific behavior associated with the slow change of instantaneous voltage and polarity, and resulted in the complex pressure dependence of breakdown characteristics. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 139(4): 33–40, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.1166     

Field Testing of Cables: Theory and Practice

Testing cables in the field requires a specialized knowledge of dielectric behavior, electrical stress phenomena, safe and proper use of test equipment, and interpretation of test results. Theoretical and practical aspects of high-potential field testing of medium- and high-voltage extruded cables are discussed. The fundamental theory of ac and dc voltage stresses is reviewed along with the behavior of the cable insulation under dc stress. It is concluded that a dc test is preferred over an ac test for field applications. However, for a dc test the cable should be cooled to ambient temperature so that the voltage stress distribution is the same as for an ac voltage. A program for field testing is suggested along with the voltage levels to use for the test. Finally, guidance on performing the test in the field is given along with examples on interpreting the test results.     

Measurement technique for high frequency characterization of semiconducting materials in extruded cables

Knowledge on the dependence of wave propagation characteristics on material properties and cable design is important in establishing diagnostic methods for cable insulation. In this study, a high frequency measurement technique to characterize the semi-conducting screens in medium voltage cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) cables has been developed. The frequency ranges from 30 kHz to 500 MHz. The influence of the experimental set-up, sample preparation methods, pressure and temperature are investigated. A dielectric function is developed for the semiconducting screens and this is incorporated into a high frequency model for the cable. The propagation characteristics obtained from the high frequency cable model are compared with those obtained from measurements made on the same cables.     

Accelerated cable life testing of EPR-insulated medium voltagedistribution cables

This paper presents results aimed at developing a reliable accelerated aging tank test for EPR-insulated cables. Aging was performed at 2 to 4 times rated voltage on load cycling to temperatures of 45°C, 60°C, 75°C, and 90°C at the conductor with water in the conductor strands and outside the cable. Results show that cable failure is more rapid at the highest electrical stress and lowest conductor load cycle temperature. Cables aged at higher temperatures and various levels of electrical stress rarely failed and retained in excess of 40% of their original breakdown strength after 1500+ days of aging. Aging performed at 90°C load cycle temperature and 4 times rated voltage with air on the outside and water at the conductor of the cable showed more rapid loss of life than with water outside. Results indicate the optimum aging conditions for EPR-insulated cables in the accelerated cable life test (ACLT) differ significantly from those previously observed for XLPE-insulated cables, and that the appropriate test methodology for EPR-insulated cables requires additional study     

Successful testing of 345-kV XLPE cables and premolded joints atIREQ

Extruded polymeric cables and accessories are an alternative to self-contained fluid filled (SCFF) cables for extra-high-voltage (EHV) systems. Crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) insulated cables have many advantages over the traditional fluid-filled pressurized cable system with the elimination of the hydraulic system and the associated equipment and complications during the installation and operation/maintenance of such systems. Other advantages of the extruded cable system arise from the new accessory technologies and the use of splices and terminations that are prefabricated and pretested in the factory and require less time to install on site. Concerns over the long term reliability of high voltage cable systems, in particular the accessories and the lack of service experience above 300 kV led to the decision of Hydro-Quebec to carry out a prequalification (long-term) test program to assess the reliability of the cable materials and to verify the cable and accessory installation methods to be employed. The cables were installed in duct banks and manholes simulating actual installation conditions used in Hydro-Quebec underground cable network. This paper describes the program and results of the prequalification tests of 345-kV XLPE cables and accessories performed at Hydro-Quebec's Research Institute (IREQ) in partnership with three international cable manufacturers, Alcatel, Fujikura and Pirelli     

Accelerated life tests on a new water tree retardant insulation forpower cables

This paper describes the results of an investigation in which 15 kV rated cables insulated with a new water tree retardant cross-linked polyethylene (TR XLPE) were subjected to accelerated aging tests under a controlled voltage stress and thermal load cycle conditions. Cables insulated with conventional XLPE and a commercially available TR XLPE were used as reference test populations to affirm the test methodology. Under the chosen conditions, cable life of the new TR XLPE as calculated using Weibull and log normal statistical distributions, was more than twice that for the reference TR XLPE. Extensive diagnostic measurements (water content, dissipation factor, water tree analysis) were performed on failed cable samples to bring out the differences between the three insulations. Electron micrographic investigations revealed the size and distribution of micro voids in the new TR XLPE to be smaller supporting its extended life under these tests. The experimental details of the accelerated life tests are also documented in a clear manner facilitating any archival of the data for future analysis and comparison     

Condition assessment of 12- and 24-kV XLPE cables installed during the 80s. Results from a joint Norwegian/Swedish research project

This paper reports the results from the condition assessment of 12- and 24-kV cross-linked polyethylene (XPLE) cables using a technique based on dielectric spectroscopy initially developed at KTH in Sweden. The work aims to examine whether the method could detect water tree degradation for the second generation medium voltage (MV) cables with long, but not bridging, water trees. While the overall cable condition was better than expected for second generation XPLE cables, water trees were found in most of the selected cables. The diagnostic method based on the measurement of the dielectric response could only detect water tree degradation in the examined second generation cables when the water trees bridged the insulation wall. Condition assessment above service stress may, in some cases, be required to detect bridging water trees. The results indicate that there is a correlation between the voltage level and the breakdown voltage of the cable. This can be used as a diagnostic criterion for this group of cables.