Diagnostics and testing of high voltage cable

systems. Suurjnnitekaapelien eristysten

diagnostiikat ja testaus (KaDiat)
Petri Hyvnen, Bolarin Oyegoke, Martti Aro Report TKK-SJT-63
Final Report
ISSN 1237-895X
ISBN 951-22-6550-8
Helsinki University of Technology
High Voltage Institute
Espoo, Finland 2003
2 Diagnostics and testing of high voltage cable systems
Preface
Research of diagnostics of high-voltage power apparatus insulation systems was started at
Helsinki University of Technology High Voltage Institute some years ago with studies on
application of Transfer Function (TF) as diagnostic tools for power transformers. The studies
were performed in close co-operation and funding of Finnish electric energy industry. First
diagnostic project KaVika on cable systems was carried out during years 2000 2001. Project
was a preliminary study to cover wide variety of techniques used in cable diagnostics. Project
based mainly on literature studies. Some experimental studies on laboratory was done.
International research on diagnostic techniques of electrical insulation systems has been
increasing for decades. Electric power plants as well as transmission and distribution grids
include large number of important and valuable components of different age, with low or no
knowledge of there actual condition. On the other hand, condition based maintenance strategy is
becoming more and more common with power utilities and companies. With this view, the
Finnish electric energy industry donated in 1999 to HUT a five-year senior researchership for
strengthening the research and teaching of diagnostics of electrical insulation systems.
The present study is experimental part of research dealing with diagnostics of power cable
systems with on-site measurements of partial discharges and dielectric response. Based on results
from previous cable project partial discharge and dielectric response measurements were
choosen. Extensive on-site measurement program was carried out during the project. Additional
verification test on cables were made in laboratory. This report summarises literature and
conference publications during the project.
In addition to the University, this study was funded by the National Technology Agency
(TEKES), Foundation for development of electric power engineering, Pirelli Cables and Systems
Oy, Fortum companies and City Electrical Company group EK-12. Lauri Nyyssnen (Pirelli
Cables and Systems Oy) acted as chairman and Markku Hyvrinen (Helsinki Energy) acted as
vice-chairman of the project board The other members were Jukka Leskel (Finergy ry.), Kirsi
Nousiainen (TUT), Martti Torikka (Pirelli Cables and Systems Oy), Aimo Kukkonen (Fortum
Shknsiirto Oy), until 30.12.2002 Kari Heinonen (Fortum Service Oy), from 1.1.2003 Matti
Kuussaari (Fortum Service Oy). Martti Aro is responsible for the project. Petri Hyvnen acted as
secretary of the project board. Petri Hyvnen and Bolarin Oyegoke acted as senior researchers in
the project.
The next step will be further development of cable diagnostic systems and procedures. Similar
research activities was found very common world wide, and good international contacts and co-
operation especially within CIGRE WG 33.03 and with universities in Nordic Countries and
Middle Europe will support the research effectively.
Espoo Finland, June 2, 2003 Martti Aro Petri Hyvnen
Diagnostics and testing of high voltage cable systems 3
Table of Contents
Preface ............................................................................................................................................ 2
Table of Contents............................................................................................................................ 3
Tiivistelm ...................................................................................................................................... 4
Summary......................................................................................................................................... 5
1 Introduction.............................................................................................................................. 6
1.1 Background....................................................................................................................... 6
1.2 Aim of the work................................................................................................................ 6
2 Summary of Publications......................................................................................................... 6
2.1 Dielectric Response Measurement as Diagnostic Tool for Power Cable Systems........... 6
2.2 Application of dielectric response measurement on power cable systems. Literature
review............................................................................................................................. 8
2.3 Diagnostics of MV XLPE power cable systems using polarisation and depolarisation
current measurement method ......................................................................................... 9
2.4 Detecting degree of water treeing in XLPE power cable systems using polarisation and
depolarisation current method...................................................................................... 10
2.5 Experience with the application of time domain dielectric response method in condition
assessment of distribution oil-paper cables.................................................................. 11
2.6 Dielectric response as diagnostic tool for power cable system Laboratory and On-site
measurement................................................................................................................. 12
2.7 Selectivity of DAC and VLF Voltages in After Laying Tests of Extruded MV Cable
Systems. Literature review........................................................................................... 13
2.8 On-site partial discharge measurements on medium voltage cable systems. ................. 15
2.9 Condition assessment of MV power cables based on practical measurements .............. 16
2.10Diagnosing the Condition of Medium Voltage Covered Counductors .......................... 17
3 Acknowledgements................................................................................................................ 17
4 List of symbols and abbreviations ......................................................................................... 17
5 Definition of basic quantities................................................................................................. 18
6 List of KaDiat-project publications ....................................................................................... 18
Address of the authors:
Petri Hyvnen Email: petri.hyvonen@hut.fi
Phone: +358 9 451 5874
Fax: +358 9 451 2395
Helsinki University of Technology, High Voltage Institute
Postal Address: P.O. Box 3000, FIN-02015 HUT, Finland
Street Address: Otakaari 5 L, Espoo Otaniemi
National Metrology Institute, High Voltage Measurements
http://www.hut.fi/Units/HVI
4 Diagnostics and testing of high voltage cable systems
Tiivistelm
Shkn tuotanto-, siirto- ja jakelujrjestelmille asetettavat luotettavuusvaatimukset ovat
lisntyneet huomattavasti viime aikoina. Energiamarkkinoiden vapautuminen sek erilaiset
viranomaisvaatimukset ja kiristyvt korvausvaatimukset ovat asettaneet energiayhtiille uusia
haasteita. Shknjakelun luotettavuus on nousemassa entist trkemp rooliin. Toisaalta
varsinaiseen huoltotoimintaan kytettvt resurssit ovat pienentyneet. Nykyisin on entist
trkemp tehd oikeita asioita, oikeassa paikassa, oikeaan aikaan. Korjaavasta ja ennakoivasta
kunnossapidosta ollaan siirtymss entist enemmn kuntoon perustuvaan kunnossapitoon.
Kuntoon perustuvan kunnossapidon onnistumisen edellytyksen ovat hyvt ja luotettavat
tykalut laitteiden nykykunnon mrittmiseen.
Keskijnnitejakeluverkoissa on kytetty kaapeleita 1900-luvun alkupuolelta lhtien.
Vanhimmat nykyisin Suomessa kytss olevat kaapelit ovat 1940 50 lukujen taitteesta..
Kytss on laaja kirjo erityyppisi kaapeleita, joiden kunnosta tai vikahistoriasta ei ole tarkkaa
tietoa. Nykyisin uusien kaapelijrjestelmien kyttnottotestaus on vhist. Toisaalta
ulkoistamisten seurauksena on olemassa perusteltu huoli kaapeleiden asennustekniikkaan
liittyvn ammattitaidon hvimisest.
Teknillisen korkeakoulun suurjnnitetekniikan laboratoriossa tehdyn projektin puitteissa
toteutettiin laaja keskijnnitekaapelijrjestelmien kentttestausohjelma. Esiselvitysten perusteella
osittaispurkausten mittaus ja dielektrisen vasteen mittaus ovat varteenotettavia menetelmi
kaapelijrjestelmien nykykunnon mrittmiseen. Osittaispurkausmittauksilla on mahdollista
havaita, tunnistaa ja paikantaa kaapelieristyksille haitalliset paikallisesti esiintyvt pienet
shkiset purkaukset. Osittaispurkaukset aiheuttavat kaapelieristyksess eroosiota, joka voivat
johtaa yllttvn vikatilanteeseen. Dielektirisen vasteen mittauksen avulla voidaan havaita
ljypaperieristyksen kostuminen sek polymeerieristyksiss mahdollisesti olevat vesipuut.
Kenttmittausten sek tulosten jatkoksittelyn avulla on pyritty luomaan alustavat raja-arvot
kaapeleiden kunnon luokittelulle. Saatuja tuloksia voidaan hydynt myhemmin tehtviss
kenttmittauksissa sek erilaisissa jatkotutkimusprojekteissa. Tuloksia on kuitenkin syyt
tarkastella uudestaan ja tarkentaa, kun mittausten lukumr kasvaa.
Kenttmittausten tulosten perusteella on oletettavaa, ett mitatut polymeerikaapelit ovat
hyvss kunnossa. ljypaperieristeisten kaapeleiden osalta voidaan havaita selvsti heikentyneit
kaapeleita. Tulosten perusteella on selv, ett kattava kuntoarvio ei voi perustu vain yhdell
mittausmenetelmll saatuihin tuloksiin. Yhdistmll osittaispurkausmittauksen ja dielektrisen
vasteen mittaustulokset voidaan kaapelin nykykunnosta antaa huomattavasti kattavampi arvio.
Jatkotutkimusta tarvitaan useilla eri osa-alueilla. Tulosten merkitys kaapelin odotettavissa
olevan elinin kannalta on epselv. Tmn seikan selvittminen vaatii runsaasti listutkimusta
sek laajoja testaussarjoja.
Diagnostics and testing of high voltage cable systems 5
Summary
Reliability demands on electricity generation and distribution are increasing. Power utilities have
faced new challenges due to liberalisation of electricity markets, increasing authors regulation
and new claims for compensation of unexpected power shut downs. As a result power utilities
have to concentrate more on asset management to reduce costs, to postpone investments, to
optimise technical management keeping at the same time reliability and power quality at high
level. Nowadays it is important to do right things at right place at right time. Maintenance
strategy is changing from predictive or repairing maintenance to the condition based maintenance
(CBM). Success of CBM depends partly on how good and reliable tools are available to
determine condition of electrical apparatus.
Cables have been used in electricity distribution since beginning of 20
th
century. Oldest still in
use cables in Finland has been installed late 1940s. Nowadays almost all new distribution
systems in urban areas are done using cables. Wide variety of cables are in use. Knowledge of
condition and history of cables is not so well documented. Professional skill to install cable
systems is disappearing due to outsourcing of maintenance groups. There is a worry about
increasing amount of after installation faults due to loosing of professional skills to install cable
systems. Wide variety of cable insulation systems and large variety in ages of cables still in use
will place hard challenges for cable condition assessment.
Earlier studies showed that measurement of insulation resistance is almost only diagnostic
measurement performed to cable systems. Knowledge and experience of new diagnostic method
is not so widely distributed. Based on previous project, dielectric response (DR) measurement
and partial discharge (PD) measurement seemed to be most promising tools for the condition
assessment of cable systems. Increased moisture content in oil-paper insulated cable or water
trees in polymer insulation can be detected with DR measurement. Harmful localised electrical
discharges can be observed, recognised and located with PD measurement.
As a result of previous findings a new on-site measurement project was started. Aim of the
project was to arrange extensive on-site measuring program, analysing the measurement results
and generate a basis on knowledge rules to assessment of cable condition.
On-site measurement results showed that all measured polymer insulated cables seemed to be
in good condition. No clear evidence of degradation could be detected on XLPE-cables. Few
clearly degraded oil-paper insulated MV-cable could be found during the measurements.
Results showed clearly that reliability of only one diagnostic method for instance dielectric
response is not sufficient to assess condition of cable insulation. It is therefore recommended that
final decision of the cable insulation condition should be based on combined result of the
dielectric response and partial discharge measurement.
Future research is needed in several fields of condition monitoring of cable insulation.
Significance of measurement results to the remaining life expectation of cable insulation is not
clear. Clarification of this aspect requires lot of future research and implementation of large test
series.
6 Diagnostics and testing of high voltage cable systems
1 Introduction
This report deals with diagnostics of insulation of medium and high voltage power cable
systems, including paper-oil and extruded cables as well as their joints and terminations. Studies
on diagnostic possibilities on covered conductor overhead line (CC-line) are also covered.
Diagnostic measurements in connection of both after laying commissioning tests and periodic
diagnostic tests on cable systems are discussed.
1.1 Background
Electric power systems include a large number of expensive and important power cable systems
of different age manufactured and mounted during decades. For reliability reasons, preventive
measures need to be taken on considered components. Quality requirements are increasing and
outages of electric power distribution are expensive. Condition based maintenance is becoming
more and more common for economic reasons. Repair and replacement of important cable
systems are expensive and correct timing in these would give large savings of costs.
Insulation systems of high-voltage power cables and their accessories are subject to different
kinds of stresses during their service life and thus, to degradation and deterioration. These can
lead to a reduction of life and so to a lower reliability of electrical power systems. Therefore, a
lot of research efforts and activities and many publications are directed towards a better
understanding of degradation phenomena and the finding of tools for insulation diagnosis and
remaining life estimation techniques. In order to check the quality and steadiness of a cable
system, it is important to perform diagnostic tests on this before setting into operation and after a
defined period of operation. On-site insulation diagnosis to determine the degradation state of
high voltage equipment is of great interest within the power and grid companies and utilities.
1.2 Aim of the work
The aim of this experimental project was carry out large on-site test program. Aim of the on-site
test program was to collect large amount of cable condition information from Finnish cable
networks. Partial discharge and dielectric response measurements were used as tools to collect
cable condition information. Additional supporting tests in laboratory were done. Literature
studies were also continued. One of the aims was also to realise on-site cable diagnostics service
for future needs of cable owners.
2 Summary of Publications
Short summaries of findings in individual publication written during the project is presented in
the following.
2.1 Dielectric Response Measurement as Diagnostic Tool for Power Cable
Systems
Oyegoke, Hyvnen, Aro. Dielectric Response Measurement as Diagnostic Tool for Power Cable
Systems. Wire & Cable technical symposium, Chicago, USA, June 2002.
Diagnostics and testing of high voltage cable systems 7
Oyegoke, Hyvnen, Aro. Dielectric Response Measurement as Diagnostic Tool for Power Cable
Systems. Wire Journal International. April 2003 p 106 110. 2003.
Increase in moisture content is one of the most common causes for deterioration of insulation
properties and premature ageing of oil-paper insulated system. Preliminary results on dielectric
response measurements as diagnostic tool for power cable systems are presented. Among several
other non-destructive dielectric response methods, loss factor or the tangent delta measurement
over certain frequency range, also known as frequency domain dielectric spectroscopy is
investigated and analysed.
Measurement of dielectric response (tan) in frequency domain has been done on short cable
samples embedded in a plastic tube filled with water. The cable sample under investigation was
prepared with a small drill through the metallic sheath to allow water penetration as shown in
Figure 1.
60 100 70 790
40
Conductor
Paper insulation
Al-sheath
PE-jacket
Plastic tube
Water hole
Heat-shrinkable tube
Figure 1 Schematic view of the tested cable.
Measurement of the dielectric response as a function of frequency was done by using
Programma

IDA 200 insulation diagnostic system. Measurement example of tan as a function

of frequency at six different time instance is shown in figure 2.
0,001
0,01
0,1
1
0,001 0,01 0,1 1 10 100 1000
Freq. Hz
t
a
n

d
e
l
t
a
dry
77 hrs
177 hrs
182 hrs
198 hrs
207 hrs
Figure 2 Measured tan as a function of frequency at six different time instance
Information about moisture content contained within oil-paper insulated cable can be found at
high frequencies where the minimum of the response occurs. Increase in moisture content not
8 Diagnostics and testing of high voltage cable systems
only affects the value of tan
min
but also the frequency at which this minimum value occur. Apart
from moisture, temperature is another factor that affects the frequency at which tan
min
value
occurs. Interestingly, magnitude of tan
min
remains stable with temperature. Using some part of
previously work an expression that relate moisture content and time is derived. Further work is
required on the practical applicability of this formula. Only seriously affected by moisture cable
can be detected by measuring tan at low frequencies.
2.2 Application of dielectric response measurement on power cable systems.
Literature review
Bolarin Oyegoke, Petri Hyvnen, Martti Aro, Ning Gao 2003 Application of dielectric response
measurement on power cable systems. Literature review. Paper accepted for publication in IEEE
Transactions on Dielectric and Electrical Insulation.
Thermal and chemical deterioration of XLPE cable insulation does not pose a great problem
and electrical deterioration can be prevented through a controlled manufacturing. However, one
of the major problems associated with the medium voltage XLPE cables is deterioration by water
trees, and it sometimes is the main reason for insulation failures in XLPE cables in long service.
Increased moisture content will be harmful to the oil-paper insulated cables.
In general, water trees (vented or bow-tie trees) in XLPE and increased moisture content
inside oil-paper cable cause a reduction of 50 Hz, 0.1 Hz, DC or impulse withstand capability.
When a given electric field is applied over a dielectric material, different mechanisms of
polarisation and conduction are activated. The presence of water trees in XLPE cable or moisture
in oil-paper cable generally lead to increase of the intensities of polarisation and the intensities of
conduction. A change in insulation structure will generally lead to an increase in the dielectric
losses. In order to investigate a change in structure, techniques based on dielectric response DR
are used. The DR is the memory effect in a dielectric material and can be measured in different
ways.
Dielectric response is an advanced tool for insulation diagnosis. Insulation deterioration and
degradation change the DR. Measurement of DR at different frequencies or, in time domain with
different time parameters, give some picture of insulation condition
Return voltage and polarisation spectrum are specially developed methods to characterise the
moisture content in transformer insulation. Their application to diagnosis of polymer insulated
cable shows that measurement of a single polarisation spectrum is not sufficient to detect bad
cable with water trees. Consequently, division spectrum technique is introduced. A lot of time
might be needed to construct two required spectrums. A more time saving technique is the use of
Quotient of initial slopes of two tests at different voltages. This Quotient of initial slopes is a
temperature independent parameter. However, since the quotient is calculated from the return
voltage measurement, the resistance in parallel with the cable can affect the value of this quotient
and the D factor. Maximum of the return voltage depends on the cable length.
Measurement of slopes of two voltage curves (return voltage and decay voltage after charging)
gives valuable information about thermal and moistening process inside the cable insulation. The
method is less sensitive to environmental electrical noise because it measures voltage of the order
of magnitude of volts. However, because the method involves measurement of return voltage all
Diagnostics and testing of high voltage cable systems 9
weaknesses attributed to this measurement are eventually applied to measurement of slopes of
voltage curve.
IRC is a non-destructive method that uses depolarisation current measurement data. A method
for evaluating the ageing status of insulation based on A-factor may be insufficient for diagnosis
purpose. Presently, residual dielectric strength of insulating material evaluated by soft computing
(Fuzzy-method) is proposed. This has improved the diagnosis by this method. However,
calculated value of residual strength depends on the reference voltage values. Determination of
the degree of non-linearity as additional diagnostic criterion is not possible with this method.
Environmental electrical noise may affect the depolarisation current measurement.
Measurement of both polarisation and depolarisation currents is not much discussed in
literature. However, measurement of both currents can improve diagnosis of cable system.
Measurement at various voltage levels offers possibility and a particularly easy way of testing for
non-linearity. However, environmental electrical noise may affect the current measurement.
Discharge method combines both the slope of decay voltage and depolarisation or discharge
current value. It is a promising method that requires further investigation. As there are not many
literatures on this method it is difficult to discuss its full advantages and weaknesses.
Measurement by this method will require long time as by polarisation spectrum method.
Measurement of tan (complex permittivity or complex capacitance) as a function of
frequency and its combination with non-linearity effect gives possibility to distinguish between
the response due to water tree and that of accessories. However, factor such as temperature can
influence the measurement result.
Measurement of tan at power frequency and its combination with DC leakage current or DC
component in AC charging current is another combination that is quite promising. Temperature
remains an interesting factor that might affect measurement result also in this method.
Combination of tan at power frequency and total harmonic distortion in the loss current is
another promising combined technique that requires additional efforts, especially to define the
significance of relative values of dielectric losses and the THDs. Also here influence of
temperature on the measured values will need clarification.
Although cable systems undergo some overall deterioration but service failures occur at the
site of discrete defects. Combination of DR and PD measurements can improve diagnostic result.
However, it is doubtful whether PD test can identify the presence of water tree inside the cable in
a non-destructive manner.
2.3 Diagnostics of MV XLPE power cable systems using polarisation and
depolarisation current measurement method
B. S. Oyegoke, P. O. Hyvnen, and M. M Aro 2003 Diagnostics of MV XLPE power cable
systems using polarisation and depolarisation current measurement method, Accepted to be
presented in ISH 2003, The Netherlands.
In time domain the dielectric response measurement requires an application of a dc voltage to
the cable for certain time often called charging period. The duration of this charging period is not
constant but varies depending on the researcher.
10 Diagnostics and testing of high voltage cable systems
The paper presents the findings on the effect of various factors such as measurement set-up,
terminations and joint(s), temperature, and charging time that might lead to wrong diagnostic
conclusions.
Measurement on new XLPE cable without termination can not be made. Presence of heat
shrinkable resistive type of termination does not affect the measured currents on new XLPE
cable.
Depending on what measurement set-up is used there is likely-hood to obtained difference in
current values. Grounded test object arrangement gives slightly higher currents than the
ungrounded test object case.
Using the grounded test object arrangement the effect of temperature is investigated.
Temperature affects the polarisation and depolarisation currents values. This effect is clearly seen
within the first 100 seconds. It seems that temperature affects depolarisation current more than it
affects polarisation current. Henceforth, evaluation of current result within the first 100 seconds
should consider the temperature effect. Both currents show that the higher the temperature the
lower is the absolute value of the response.
Longer charging time produce higher currents (polarisation and depolarisation). Insufficient
charging time can lead to a wrong estimation of dielectric response function and conductivity of
the cable under investigation. Estimated conductivity at the same charging voltage level of 5 kV
is 1,3 10
-17
S/m and 2,6 10
-18
S/m respectively for 5 minutes and 10 minutes charging times.
Absolute value of response is more sensitive to temperature and changes in the cable circuit
for instance presence of resistive joint. The higher the temperature the lower is the slope of the
currents. Similarly, absolute value of the response is sensitive to the measurement arrangement
(grounded or ungrounded test object).
Charging time affects both the polarisation and depolarisation currents, usually the longer the
charging period the higher the measured currents. In addition the longer the charging period the
lower is the slope of the dielectric response.
2.4 Detecting degree of water treeing in XLPE power cable systems using
polarisation and depolarisation current method
B. S. Oyegoke, P. O. Hyvnen, M. M. Aro 2003 Detecting degree of water treeing in XLPE
power cable systems using polarisation and depolarisation current method, Accepted to be
presented in ISH 2003, The Netherlands.
In time domain, the depolarisation current i(t) following DC charging at a particular voltage
can be measured. The quantity of absorption charge Q divided by the static capacitive charge of
the insulation produce a degradation index DI.
In more recent works, dielectric response in time and frequency domains indicated that
measurement of non-linearity in the dielectric response could become the basis for diagnosis of
water tree degraded cable. As such both the magnitude and the voltage dependence of the
response or degree of non-linearity are used as evaluation criteria for the prediction of the
insulation condition. Based on the same theory of dielectric response it is apparent that different
Diagnostics and testing of high voltage cable systems 11
methods such as degradation index, aging factor and polarisation index are derived quantities
used to interpret the measured polarisation and depolarisation current.
The present paper describes another method that can be used to detect the degree of water
treeing in polymer insulated cable. The method is based on the depolarisation current
measurement.
The measurements were performed using AVO Megger S1-5010 (insulation resistance meter)
with a maximum output voltage of 5 kV and a current detection limit of 0.1 nA. Test voltage
levels were 1 kV, 2.5 kV and 5 kV. The instrument measured polarisation current during a pre-
set time of 10 minutes. Depolarisation current was measured for 1 minute irrespective of
charging time.
Condition assessment of cable insulation using degradation index DI necessitates computation
of the absorption charge Q. The DI value depends on temperature. Therefore, another method
called discharge rate (DCR) is used.
In order to verify the accuracy of the DCR measurement was carried out on a new XLPE cable
with a resistive joint. Length of the cable is 154 m. The DI and DCR value obtained are
presented in Table 1. The measurement has been carried out in the laboratory at a constant
voltage of 2.5 kV but different temperature.
Table 1 Effect of temperature on DI and DCR.
Temp
o
C DI ppm DCR
26 429 2,397
33 345 2,331
From Table 1 it can be seen that effect of temperature on DCR is insignificant compared to
DI. Measurement on the same cable before introduction of a resistive joint gives DCR value of
3,401. Comparing this value with those in Table 1 it can be seen that presence of joint within the
cable system has caused a decrease in DCR value to 2/3.
A temperature independent method of detecting water tree presence in XLPE cable insulation
is presented. The method is based on the discharge characteristics of the cable. The presented
results show that the method is a promising one, however, to fully convert the DCR value into
figure of merit additional research work will be necessary.
2.5 Experience with the application of time domain dielectric response method
in condition assessment of distribution oil-paper cables
Bolarin Oyegoke, Petri Hyvnen, Martti Aro. Experience with the application of time domain
dielectric response method in condition assessment of distribution oil-paper cables. Accepted to
be presented in NORD-IS-2003, 11-13-6-2003, Tampere.
The non-destructive electrical test based on the polarisation and depolarisation current
measurement is performed on samples from oil-paper cable. A new method called conductivity
factor is proposed for data evaluation in time domain. The proposed method in time domain is
compared with the measurement result in frequency domain. The results presented here are
preliminary one that required more experimental work on more cables, however it appears that
12 Diagnostics and testing of high voltage cable systems
the condition of oil-paper cable could be assessed with respect to moisture content if the
proposed method is used.
Avo Megger S1-5010 insulation resistance meter was used during the measurements. DD test
mode of the Megger was used. Sampling rate during the polarisation current measurement was
one point per every three seconds. Test voltage level was 2.5 kV. Polarisation current
measurement time was 10 minutes and depolarisation current measurement time was 1 minute.
Analysis of DR measured data has been based on the conductivity (S/m) and polarisation
index (PI) values. Measurement of the conductivity at long time may reflect the DC conductivity
and is thus most affected by localised defects in the insulation. However, computation of
conductivity necessitates knowledge of the geometry capacitance or dielectric permittivity of the
test object. In addition, conductivity is a temperature dependent parameter.
PI value is temperature independent parameter. Cable with PI greater or equal to 4 is rated as
very good cable and PI less than unity is regarded as bad cable that requires immediate action.
For PI between 4 and 1 the cable can be regarded as good or poor.
600
p
60
p
60
600
I
I
R
R
PI = =
where R
60
, R
600
and I
p60
, I
p600
are resistance and currents at 60 and 600 seconds.
Another method that combines both polarisation and depolarisation current data is
conductivity factor CF. Conductivity factor (CF) indicates the change of insulation conductivity.
) 60 ( ) 60 (
) 30 ( ) 30 (
dp p
dp p
60s
30s
s i s i
s i s i
CF

= =

Conductivity factor is calculated from the ratio of conductivity evaluated from the polarisation
and depolarisation currents at 30 and 60 seconds. With this method of analysis it is possible to
avoid the use of parameter that is temperature and geometry dependent. In addition CF is
independent of the charging voltage. Another way of interpreting CF is to consider the
conductivity at 30 s as the conductivity that is related to the condition of the oil in insulation.
A new method of interpreting the dielectric response measured data in time domain is
presented. The method employees the slope of conductivity. It is a non-temperature dependent
approach in a similar way as polarisation index method. In addition it avoids the use of geometry
capacitance and allows measurement at any charging voltage. The result obtained look promising
as it shows good trend in a similar way as the tan minimum. However, more investigation is
required in order to define the range of CF for Very good, Good, Poor, and Bad cable.
2.6 Dielectric response as diagnostic tool for power cable system Laboratory
and On-site measurement
Bolarin Oyegoke. Dielectric response as diagnostic tool for power cable system- On-site
measurement results and data analysis TKK-SJT-62 Report. 2003.
Diagnostics and testing of high voltage cable systems 13
Dielectric response (DR) is an advanced tool for insulation diagnosis. Insulation deterioration
and degradation change the DR. Measurement of DR at different frequencies or, in time domain
with different time parameters, give some picture of insulation condition. The major problem
associated with medium voltage XLPE cables is deterioration by water trees, and it sometimes is
the main reason for insulation failures in XLPE cables in long service. Increased moisture
content will be harmful to the oil-paper insulated cables. The polarisation index and the
conductivity factor are two diagnostic parameters used in the present studies to evaluate the
condition of oil-paper cables with respect to moisture content. For detecting water tree
deterioration in polymer insulated cables diagnostic criteria based on the current magnitude,
current trend, DC conductivity level and non-linearity of the DR with respect to the charging
voltage have been used. In addition a new method discharge rate (DCR) that is based on
discharge phenomenon is proposed for diagnosis of polymer cable with respect to water tree
contain in its insulation. Measurement of one parameter may not be sufficient to reveal the status
of the cable insulation. Therefore combination of several methods may be necessary to
adequately and accurately diagnosed oil-paper, XLPE and mixed cables. Further research is
needed for more detailed conclusions regarding the capability and limitation of PI and other
criteria used in the present work to diagnose the cable insulation.
Cable types HPLKVJ and PYLKVJ are oldest of all oil-paper cables still in service at 20 kV
network. They are found with very high PI value. It is doubtful if the PI limit defined from
experimental work on APYAKMM can be applied to these cable types. However, these cable
appear to be good condition since none has PI less than 1.
Furthermore, it is interesting to see that cable types PLKVJ are also the oldest types of oil-
paper cable still in operation at 10 kV network. Most of them has PI value higher than 4.
Therefore it is doubtful here as well if PI technique define for APYAKMM cables is an
appropriate way to diagnose this type of cables.
Most of the tested oil-paper cables are in good or excellent condition meaning that PI is
greater than 2. However, cables with PI between 1 and 2 need further investigation in a near
future. Diagnosis of cable insulation condition using dielectric response method could be
improved if several methods are combined.
On-site measured data on polymer insulated (XLPE) cables and its analysis shows no clear
evidence of degradation due to water tree. Possibility of other degradation phenomenon e.g.
thermal degradation cannot be ruled out. However, the currently studied method can not detect
such degradation phenomenon
Test set-up and other factors such as temperature, joint and charging time has been studied at
laboratory level. Measurement results indicate that effect these factor plays a crucial role in data
interpretation.
2.7 Selectivity of DAC and VLF Voltages in After Laying Tests of Extruded
MV Cable Systems. Literature review
Bolarin Oyegoke, Petri Hyvnen, Martti Aro, Ning Gao and Michael Danikas 2003 Selectivity
of DAC and VLF Voltages in After Laying Tests of Extruded MV Cable Systems. Literature
14 Diagnostics and testing of high voltage cable systems
review, Revised manuscript submitted to IEEE Transactions on Dielectric and Electrical
Insulation.
The purpose of high-voltage after-laying tests on cable systems on-site is to check the quality
of installation. The tests on extruded MV cable systems usually include voltage tests with PD and
tan measurements.
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. Combination
of DAC and VLF will improve the defect detection capability during on-site after-laying tests of
extruded MV cable systems.
So far there are no standard test parameters for DAC and VLF tests in after-laying testing of
MV power cables and systems. However, there are suggestions and practices based on laboratory
research work.
General practice to simulate the weak points within insulation is applying needle-plane
electrode arrangement. However, recent report shows that the same can be done by a rod-plane
electrode configuration.
The breakdown behaviour of the rod-plane arrangement is similar to the breakdown behaviour
of the model cables as a function of frequency. However, extensive literature study shows very
different and partially contradictory information on the breakdown behaviour of XLPE cables at
different frequencies, depending also on test specimen. This contradiction may be due to
different needle size (radius) and gap distance to the centre conductor, different ways of
insertion, different insulation, humidity, shape and size of defect and so on. In addition, different
DAC types (OSI, OLI, unipolar, bipolar, damped or not damped) or different VLF types
(triangular, sinusoidal, cosine-rectangular, trapezium e.t.c.) may also cause some discrepancy in
the published results. The finding on the effect of test voltage confirmed the work reported in
1963, where it was discovered that test voltages of the same amplitude but different waveform
applied to a particular test object produced different result.
Using VLF 0.1 Hz voltages the breakdown voltage recorded for XLPE insulation with
different defects like knife-cut, insulating contaminants and conductive protrusions, falls within
0.8 and 1.9 times the breakdown voltage at the power frequency. For detecting these defects,
VLF 0.1 Hz test is selective. Artificial damages such as knife-cuts, drilled holes and needle
punctures in unaged XLPE and EP cables were detected with 0.1 Hz voltage at one-fifth to one-
half of the values required for DC voltage testing. On new cables (extruded and paper insulation)
5 shots at 2U
0
was proposed (recommended) with respect to a DAC complex discharge analyzing
method (CDA).
Using DAC, the breakdown voltage recorded for insulation with different defects like closed
void, conductive contaminants, insulating contaminants at rubber-XLPE interface or defects like
Diagnostics and testing of high voltage cable systems 15
water, conductive contaminant, insufficient compression of interface falls within 0.9 and 2 times
the breakdown voltage at 50 Hz.
At VFL 0.1 Hz tests a higher voltage may be required for detection of mechanical defects in
the insulating material depending on the shape and size of defect.
Tests with oscillating and VLF voltages have different sensitivity in detecting different kinds
of defects. For the purpose of obtaining good test results consideration should be given to the
combination of DAC and VLF. Their combinations with PD measurements will improve the
defect detecting capability and an improved test result will be obtained.
Results of investigation indicate that the behaviour of PD and breakdown phenomena are not
the same and depend on the characteristics and size of the defect, the state of the interface where
defect exists, the presence of moisture in cavities and applied voltage.
2.8 On-site partial discharge measurements on medium voltage cable systems.
Petri Hyvnen. Keskijnnitteisten maakaapelijrjestelmien osittaispurkausmittaukset kytt-
paikalla. On-site partial discharge measurements on medium voltage cable systems. Licentiate
thesis, Teknillinen korkeakoulu, 2003. Written in finnish TKK-SJT-60 Report.
Small local electrical discharges, which maybe harmful to the cable insulation can be
observed with partial, discharge measurement. Partial discharges degrade the insulation and can
cause total loss of electrical insulation properties of insulation material. On-site cable testing
with 50 Hz transformer is not economical. On-site tests can be performed using alternative
voltage stresses. Questions related to the selectivity of testing and partial discharge
measurements are complex problems. Findings reported in literature are partly contradictory. All
alternative voltage stresses except DC-voltage can be used while partial discharge measurements
are done. Results will be depend on used voltage stress. Straight forward comparison between
measurement result with different voltage stresses should not be done.
On-site tests were made using damped AC-voltage. The procedure of measurement and data
analysis presented in this work can be used as a basis for future assessment of cable insulation
condition. All measured polymer insulated cables seemed to be in good condition. No evidence
of degradation could be detected on XLPE-cables. Analysis of measurement result showed that
partial discharges observed on polymer cables are caused some external reasons. Main reason
seems to be SF
6
-switchgear which was connected to the measured cables during measurement.
10 kV oil-paper insulated APAKM and PLKVJ cables seem to be more degraded than 10 kV
APYAKMM cables. Insulation structure of these cables is different. Results of measurements on
20 kV oil-paper insulated cable does not indicate as clear weakening trend as 10 kV oil-paper
cables showed. In several cables partial discharges were located near measurement end
terminations. Lowered oil level in terminations could lead to this kind of behaviour. Checking of
termination condition should be done more frequently in future to avoid unexpected termination
failures.
Tests on artificially damaged termination clearly indicated that test with nominal voltage is
not enough to detect harmful installation faults. Only a few faults could be detected with nominal
voltage stress. Tests with twice-nominal voltage stress including partial discharge measurement
16 Diagnostics and testing of high voltage cable systems
could find almost all installation faults studied in this work. Acoustical partial discharge
detection system can be used to point out accurate location of fault in cable accessories.
Sensitivity of the acoustical system was 50 pC. Sensitivity depend on type of termination or joint.
2.9 Condition assessment of MV power cables based on practical
measurements
Petri Hyvnen, Bolarin Oyegoke , Martti Aro. Condition assessment of MV power cables based
on practical measurements. Accepted to be presented in NORD-IS-2003, 11-13-6-2003,
Tampere.
Knowledge of the condition of cable networks is very important to the cable network owner.
However condition assessment of cable networks is extremely hard without any specially
designed diagnostic measurements. Many times condition assessment of MV power cable system
is based on only results from one diagnostics measurement. The most commonly used and well
known method is measurement of insulation resistance. This paper presents measurement results
from on-site measurement program on oil-paper cables. It shows clearly that reliability of only
one diagnostic method for instance dielectric response is not sufficient. This is because dielectric
response and partial discharge measurement results give different condition class. It is therefore
recommended in this paper that final decision of the cable insulation condition should be based
on combined result of the dielectric response and partial discharge measurement.
Cable 1 is oil-paper insulated 10 kV (U
0
=5.8 kV) core type cable. Length of the cable is
1866 m. Cross section is 240 mm
2
. Cable system contains five joints. Capacitances of phases L1,
L2 and L3 are 1171, 1160 and 1162 nF. Partial discharge measurement, dielectric response
measurement and combined results are shown in table 1 below.
Table 1 PD, DR and combined results of Cable 1
Phase PD-result DR-result PD+DR result Action
L1 Good Good Good No action
L2 Good Good Good No action
L3 Good Poor Poor Attention
Cable 2 is oil-paper insulated 10 kV (U
0
=5.8 kV) belt type cable. Length of the cable is
200 m. Cross section is 50 mm
2
. Capacitances of phases L1, L2 and L3 are 52 nF. Partial
discharge measurement, dielectric response measurement and combined results are shown in
table 2.
Table 2 PD, DR and combined results of Cable 2.
Phase PD-result DR-result PD+DR result Action
L1 Bad Good Bad Immediately action needed
L2 Bad Good Bad Immediately action needed
L3 Good Good Good No action
PD measurement is powerful diagnostic tool that can be used to observe, recognise and locate
harmful local defects along cable system. However, PD measurement cannot detect local defect
in form of moisture within the cable insulation. DR measurement can detect increase moisture
content in oil-paper cable system. A good oil-paper cable free of moisture from dielectric
response measurement point of view may indicate considerable PD level. Also a PD free cable
Diagnostics and testing of high voltage cable systems 17
may as well show spectacular increase in moisture content. Consequently, as practical examples
show both methods, DR and PD measurements are needed to perform comprehensive
classification of cable status.
2.10 Diagnosing the Condition of Medium Voltage Covered Counductors
Janne Vehanen, Petri Hyvnen. Pllystetyn keskijnniteavojohdon kunnon diagnosointi.
Diagnosing the Condition of Medium Voltage Covered Counductors. Written in finnish. TKK-
SJT-61 Report.
This report discusses the problems concerned medium voltage covered conductor lines, along
with their extent and severeness. Also, methods in diagnosing their condition are shown.
In the type of line, an aluminium alloy conductor is covered with polymeric insulation. The
purpose of the system is to reduce the spacing between conductors and, on the other hand, to
decrease failure density and improve safety compared to conventional bare conductor lines.
The basis of this work are damages in covered conductors found by some grid companies and
their concernes in the durabitily of its insulation. New problems have arised, including punctures
in insulation and inexplicable breakings of conductors.
In the study, the construction of the covered conductor lines with their benefits and problems
are introduced. In addition CC-lines are compared with different types of lines. Also the aging of
insulators and some unexpected problems occurred in use is discussed. Subsequently, methods in
condition diagnosing are presented.
The results of the tests and measurements performed on samples of CC-lines show that the
problem is extensive. Punctures are common and they grow easily. Partial discharge tests, using
damped AC-voltage, proved to be an effective measurement method for evaluating the condition
of the CC-lines insulation.
The measurements in this report were carried out in the high voltage institute of Helsinki
University of Technology in spring 2003.
3 Acknowledgements
National Technology Agency (TEKES), Foundation for development of electrical power
engineering (SVK-pooli), Pirelli Cables and Systems, Fortum companies and City Electrical
Company Group EK-12 are thanked for funding of the project. The project board and especially
the chairman Mr Lauri Nyyssnen are thanked for very constructive guidance and support for
fluent progress of the project.
4 List of symbols and abbreviations
AC alternative current
APYAKMMH-insulated 10 or 20 kV oil-paper cable
CC covered conductor
CDA complex discharge analysis
CF conductivity factor
18 Diagnostics and testing of high voltage cable systems
DAC damped alternative voltage
DC direct current
DCR discharge rate
DD dielectric discharge
DI degradation index
DR dielectric response
EP ethylenepropylene
HPLKVJ H-insulated 20 kV oil-paper cable
HUT helsinki university of technology
IRC isothermal relaxation current
MV medium voltage
OLI oscillating lightning impulse
OSI oscillating switching impulse
PD partial discharge
PE polyethylene
PI polarisation index
PLKVJ belt insulated 10 kV oil-paper cable
ppm parts per million
PYLKVJ H-insulated 20 kV oil-paper cable
Q absorption charge
SF
6
sulphurhexafluoride
tan loss factor
TF transfer function
THD total harmonic distortion
TUT tampere university of technology
WG work group
VLF very low frequency
XLPE cross linked polyethylene
5 Definition of basic quantities
i(t), i
dp
(t) depolarisation current
conductivity
R resistance
I current
i
p
(t) polarisation current
U
0
nominal phase to ground voltage
6 List of KaDiat-project publications
[1] Oyegoke, Hyvnen, Aro. Dielectric Response Measurement as Diagnostic Tool for
Power Cable Systems. Wire & Cable technical symposium. Chicago, USA, June 2002.
5p. 2002.
Diagnostics and testing of high voltage cable systems 19
[2] Oyegoke, Hyvnen, Aro. Dielectric Response Measurement as Diagnostic Tool for
Power Cable Systems. Wire Journal International. April 2003 p 106 110. 2003.
[3] Bolarin Oyegoke, Petri Hyvnen, Martti Aro, Ning Gao. Application of dielectric
response measurement on power cable systems. Literature review. Paper accepted for
publication in IEEE Transactions on Dielectric and Electrical Insulation.
[4] B. S. Oyegoke, P. O. Hyvnen, and M. M Aro. Diagnostics of MV XLPE power cable
systems using polarisation and depolarisation current measurement method. Accepted to
be presented in ISH 2003, The Netherlands. 4p. 2003.
[5] B. S. Oyegoke, P. O. Hyvnen, M. M. Aro. Detecting degree of water treeing in XLPE
power cable systems using polarisation and depolarisation current method. Accepted to
be presented in ISH 2003, The Netherlands. 4p. 2003.
[6] Bolarin Oyegoke, Petri Hyvnen, Martti Aro. Experience with the application of time
domain dielectric response method in condition assessment of distribution oil-paper.
Accepted to be presented in NORD-IS 2003, Tampere Finland. 8p. 2003.
[7] Bolarin Oyegoke. On-site and Laboratory Measurements of Dielectric Response on
Medium Voltage Cable Systems. Measurements and data analysis. TKK-SJT-62 Report.
16p. 2003.
[8] Bolarin Oyegoke, Petri Hyvnen, Martti Aro, Ning Gao and Michael Danikas.
Selectivity of DAC and VLF Voltages in After Laying Tests of Extruded MV Cable
Systems. Literature review. Manuscript submitted to IEEE Transactions on Dielectric
and Electrical Insulation.
[9] Petri Hyvnen. Keskijnnitteisten maakaapelijrjestelmien osittaispurkausmittaukset
kyttpaikalla. On-site partial discharge measurements on medium voltage cable
systems. Licentiate thesis, Teknillinen korkeakoulu, 2003. Written in finnish. TKK-SJT-
60 Report. 96p. 2003.
[10] Petri Hyvnen, Bolarin Oyegoke, Martti Aro Condition assessment of MV power cables
based on practical measurements. Accepted to be presented in NORD-IS 2003, Tampere
Finland. 8 p. 2003.
[11] Janne Vehanen, Petri Hyvnen. Pllystetyn keskijnniteavojohdon kunnon
diagnosointi. Tutkimusraportti TKK 2003. Written in finnish. TKK-SJT-61 Report.
42p. 2003.
[12] Petri Hyvnen, Bolarin Oyegoke, Martti Aro. Diagnostics and testing of high voltage
cable systems. Suurjnnitekaapelien eristysten diagnostiikat ja testaus (KaDiat). Final
report. TKK-SJT-63 Report. 19p. 2003.