VLF cable testing is a technique for testing of medium voltage cables. The VLF test can be used in two ways:
(1) Apply VLF to measure insulation losses (i.e. the insulation dissipation factor or Tan-delta) at different VLF frequencies that are typically in the range of 0.01 to 0.1 Hz. In this case, the IEEE Std. 400 establishes the criteria for assessment.
(2) Apply VLF as proof testing the detect faults in the cable system insulation. The tested cable must withstand a VLF (very low frequency) AC voltage for a specified testing time without flashover. This method yields a "Go/No Go" statement. VLF cable testing uses AC sine wave voltages in a frequency range of 0.01 Hz to 0.1 Hz, where frequency selection depends on the load of the cable. Voltage levels are a multiple of the cable's nominal voltage. They are in the range of 1.5 U0 to 3 U0. The VLF cable testing time varies from 15 to 60 minutes and can be considered as short and economical, the IEEE Std. 400.2 establishes the criteria for assessment..
In the past DC voltages were used for cable testing, which sometimes was actually damaging to the cable insulation.
Contents |
High voltage withstand tests are used within manufacturing plants to ensure the quality of completed cable system components from MV to EHV. Thus, it is quite natural for utilities to also use withstand tests as commissioning and maintenance tests for cable systems in the field. The goal of these tests is the same as in the factory test, namely to have any weak components of the cable system fail in a controlled manner, such that the minimum number of customers are affected. In fact a recent study (Cable Diagnostic Focused Initiative Project-NEETRAC- Georgia Tech) has shown that withstand tests are among the most routinely employed diagnostic tests in the USA; this study has also shown that the most preferred withstand tests use Very Low Frequency (VLF: 0.02 to 0.1 Hz) AC methods. Some observations for the VLF withstand test are (Based on CDFI results):
Medium voltage distribution cables and their accessories form a critical part of power delivery systems. The systems employ insulation materials that have a low permittivity and loss. The permittivity and the loss are dielectric properties of the insulation material. As the systems age, these dielectric properties change such that they may provide a convenient way to monitor the insulation degradation. Generally, the dielectric loss is monitored because it can increase several orders of magnitude during the service life of the systems. This approach correlates well with the known mechanisms of degradation, namely the ingress of water and the subsequent growth of water trees for polymeric insulations. During the last decade, VLF testing for extruded distribution cables has gained interest among the worldwide utilities. The increasing interest is evidenced by recent publications and discussions inside the expert community in which standards are being proposed and continuously discussed. In practice, it is convenient to measure the dielectric properties at a VLF of 0.1 Hz. This both reduces the size and power requirements of the energizing source and increases the resolution. While it seems there is a general consensus as to the interpretation of the dielectric properties for diagnosis, many issues regarding the definition of more accurate means of system evaluation still need further study. Tan delta measurement constitutes a cable diagnostic technique that assesses the general condition of the cable system insulation, which can be represented by an equivalent circuit that consists of two elements; a resistor and a capacitor. When voltage is applied to the system, the total current is the result of the contributions from the capacitor current and the resistor current. The tan delta is defined as the ratio between the resitor current and the capacitor current. The measurements are carried out offline. Nowadays, two different criteria are applied for diagnosing a cable insulation system using the Tan δ value. One criterion uses the magnitude of the Tan δ value as a tool for diagnostics while the other uses the difference in Tan δ values for particular electrical stresses or voltage levels. The latter is commonly known as the “Tip-Up” of the Tan δ value (IEEE Std. 400). The results for both criteria are often interpreted using recommendations given in the standards. The standards provide a hierarchical level that evaluates the cable insulation system.
VLF cable testing is applicable for medium voltage cables with various insulants, such as:
Due to the numerous advantages of VLF cable testing, common testing standards worldwide have included the vlf methodology in their recommendations.