PD Testing
Considerations
for MV Plant
Cables
Cable Testing Philosophy
Repair
Damage
Mistake
Aging
Manu- Trans- In- Operation
Power frequency
facturing portation stallation 50/60 Hz
Maintenance
Acceptance
Factory
Testing
Testing
Power
Testing
frequency
50/60 Hz
Cable Aging Management- SLIDE 2
Various Manufacturing Defects
1. Cavity at shield 5. Protrusions
2. Cavities due to shrinkage or 6. Splinters
gas-formation in insulation 7. Fibers
3. Defects in the insulation 8. Contaminants in the
shield insulation shield
4. Loosely bound solid particles
Cable Aging Management- SLIDE 3
Electrical Trees (XLPE)
• Often begins near
– Protrusions at the
shield
– Protrusions at the
conductor
– Near impurities
– At water trees
• Two Types
– Branch type trees
– Bush type trees
Cable Aging Management- SLIDE 4
Partial Discharge Theory
1
E ( x) =
R
x ln
r
3ε
Evoid = E ( x)
1 + 2ε
3ε 1
=
1 + 2ε x ln R
r
© Kinectrics Inc., 2011 5Cable Aging Management- SLIDE 5
Partial Discharge Theory
6
Electrical Field Conditions
Voltage/Electric Field
Phase Angle
0
0 45 90 135 180 225 270 315 360
-2
-4 Appl. Voltage [kV]
Background Field [kV/mm]
Void Breakdown Strength
Void Field [kV/mm] Cable Aging Management- SLIDE 6
-6
Partial Discharge Theory
20
Electrical Field Conditions
Voltage/Electric Field
15
10 Return
Initial Discharge Second
Discharge Discharge
5
Phase Angle
0
0 45 90 135 180 225 270 315 360
-5
-10
Appl. Voltage [kV]
-15 Background Field [kV/mm]
Void Breakdown Strength
Void Field [kV/mm]
-20
Cable Aging Management- SLIDE 7
40
Partial Discharge Theory
Electrical Field Conditions
Voltage/Electric Field
30
20
10
Phase Angle
0
0 45 90 135 180 225 270 315 360
-10
-20
Appl. Voltage [kV]
-30 Background Field [kV/mm]
Void Breakdown Strength
Void Field [kV/mm] Cable Aging Management- SLIDE 8
-40
PD Testing
• Diagnostic Test
• Can be performed on-line or off-line
• With respect to commissioning testing often performed either
during a HiPot test or after HiPot test
• Should preferably be done at..
– At near power frequency
– Elevated voltages to identify problem prior to in-service
failure
• Most PD monitors require experts for operation and data
interpretation ⇒ expert test
• No standard for field PD testing – (IEEE 400.3 is a guide)
• Should be performed by independent third party
Cable Aging Management- SLIDE 9
© Kinectrics
Electrical Trees (XLPE)
© Kinectrics Inc., 2008 Cable Aging Management- SLIDE 10
PD Theory: Apparent Charge
Apparent Charge at
discharge location VPD
R
Measured Apparent
Charge
Attenuation Attenuation
C iPD
VPD
iPD VPD
R
R
Measured Apparent
Charge
Cable Aging Management- SLIDE 11
© Kinectrics
TDR on Tape Field Cable
Cable Aging Management- SLIDE 12
Cable Testing Philosophy
Repair
Damage
Mistake
Aging
Manu- Trans- In- Operation
Power frequency
facturing portation stallation 50/60 Hz
Maintenance
Acceptance
Factory
Testing
Testing
Power
Testing
frequency
50/60 Hz
Cable Aging Management- SLIDE 13
Acceptance & Maintenance Tests
Types of Tests Standards
• Soaking • IEC 60502, IEC 60840,
IEC 62067
• DC HiPot Testing
Guides
• AC HiPot Testing
• IEEE 400
• VLF Testing – 400.1 DC Testing
• Damped AC – 400.2 VLF Testing
– 400.3 PD Testing
• Partial Discharge – 400.4 Damped AC
Testing – 400.5 AC Withstand
• Cigre 182
• Cigre 279
Cable Aging Management- SLIDE 14
VLF Testing
After-laying field tests
Pros Cons
• Inexpensive compared to AC • Still discussion on test levels versus
HiPot Non-Resonant testing test time
• Effective in finding watertree’d • Issues with charge injection and
cable for field aged, distribution trapped charge when testing at
frequencies less than 0.1 Hz
class cables
• Not as effective in finding weak
• Easy to perform spots in the insulation as a
• Non-expert test conventional AC HiPot.
• IEEE Std 400.2 • Voltage wave may not be
sinusoidal (depends on test kit).
• Not straight forward to interpret
PD data acquired during VLF
conditions
• Research still to be done on the
effectiveness in detecting, for
instance, interfacial phenomena
© Kinectrics Inc., 2011 15
Cable Aging Management- SLIDE 15
VLF vs. AC Testing
After-laying field tests
1
0.1HZ
0.5
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
-0.5
-1
1
20HZ
0.5
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
-0.5
-1
1
60HZ
0.5
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
-0.5
-1
© Kinectrics Inc., 2011 16
Cable Aging Management- SLIDE 16
VLF vs. AC Testing
Withstand Voltage of XLPE Cables
© Kinectrics Inc., 2011 17
Cable Aging Management- SLIDE 17
VLF vs. AC Testing
Withstand Voltage of XLPE
Cables
VLF AC Withstand
Cable System Installation Acceptance Maintenance Acceptance Maintenance
Waveform Rating ( φ-φ) (φ-∅) ((φ-∅)) (φ-∅) (φ-∅) (φ-∅)
[kV] [kV rms] [kV rms] [kVrms] [kVrms] [kVrms]
5 9 10 7 13 9
8 11 13 10
15 19 21 16 26 23
25 291 32 241
Sinusoidal
28 32 361 27 42 36
35 39 44 33
46 51 57 43 67 58
69 75 84 63 72
Cable Aging Management- SLIDE 18
AC HiPot Testing
• Stipulated in IEC 60502 (MV), IEC 60840 (HV) and IEC 62067
(EHV) as well as most cable testing standards
• Testing at power frequency from 20 Hz to 300 Hz
• Recommended high potential test level for acceptance testing
ranges from 1.25U0 to 2U0 but typically 1.7U0.
• High potential voltage applied for 60 minutes
• AC HiPot testing is gaining ground in Europe and North-
America
• Proven test methodology for identifying installation related
defects.
© Kinectrics Inc., 2011 19
Cable Aging Management- SLIDE 19
AC HiPot Testing
Pros Cons
• Proven test methodology; • Not a diagnostic test
test levels and duration well • Requires heavy equipment
established • Not necessarily cheap
• Based on IEC standards
• Reliable equipment
available.
• Decades of experience with
tests
• Can perform PD testing
during AC HiPot tests
• Gets ‘soft’ failure so
meaningful forensics can be
performed
© Kinectrics Inc., 2011 20
Cable Aging Management- SLIDE 20
The Phenomenon of Resonance
iC
L R
iR
CCable
iL
Cable Aging Management- SLIDE 21
MV Test Spec (Plant Cables)
Rated AC Testing DC Testing
Voltage Hipot Test Partial Discharge Test
Equipment (kV) Test Level Time Extinction Allowable Pulse Time Test Level Time
(kV) (mins) Level (kV) Mag. (pC) (mins) (kV) (minutes)
Power Cable
Unshielded: 4.16 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 25 (35) 5
Shielded: 4.16 9 (13) 5 4.5 (4.5) 3 (3) 2 25 (35) 15
(including cable bus) 8 13 (18) 5 7.5 (7.5) 3 (3) 2 35 (45) 15
13.8 19 (27) 5 13 (13) 3 (3) 2 55 (70) 15
Bus Duct
Isolated Phase Bus 25 45 (60) 1 19 100 2 64 1
Metal-Enclosed Rigid 13.8 27 (36) 1 10.5 (10.5) 100 (100) 2 38 (50) 1
Switchgear
4.16 14 (19) 1 3.5 (3.5) 100 (100) 2 N/A N/A
13.8 27 (36) 1 10.5 (10.5) 100 (100) 2 N/A N/A
Cable Aging Management- SLIDE 22
PD Interpretation Criteria
Comm. Testing (Off-Line) Maintenance Testing (On-Line)
• Measure PDIV, PDEV • Assess individual PD sources
• Measure PD Level & Intensity separately
• Identify signature partial • Identify location of partial
discharge pattern discharge source
• Identify location of partial • Assess impact of individual PD
discharge source sources (insulation materials,
⇒ Guiding criterion is that the experience)
cable system should be PD ⇒ Develop individual
free at the specified test assessment/ranking of joints
voltage at commissioning fro and cable sections
HV &EHV systems
⇒ Less then 3pC or 3pC for MV
systems using conventional
systems
© Kinectrics Inc., 2011 23
Cable Aging Management- SLIDE 23
PD Testing
Pros Cons
• Can help identify insulation • No standard or acceptance
defects which does not cause criteria
failure during an AC HiPot test • For long lengths of cable a
• Can use external, non-invasive distributed PD measurement
sensors should be performed (at each
• Can be performed continuously accessory)
at each accessory using daisy • Requires an expert to perform
chained PD systems the test and evaluate the data
• Cannot compare factory PD
tests to field tests
• May be practically difficult to
perform (manhole access,
traffic control)
Cable Aging Management- SLIDE 24
Off-Line vs. On-Line
Off-Line On-Line
• Requires cable disconnected and • Non-invasive test
cable conductors exposed. • Done at rated voltage
• Requires external power source • PDIV and PDEV cannot be
• Done at elevated voltage measured
• Can perform meaningful • Often, multiple PD sources from
sensitivity assessment various types of HV equipment
• Can measure PDIV, PDEV are detected
• For cross-bonded cable systems, • Can only detect sources present
SVLs must be shorted and, at the time of testing!
preferably, the cross links • Can be performed continuous
removed thus creating a over long lengths of time thus
continuous sheath characterizing the dynamic PD
behaviou
Cable Aging Management- SLIDE 25
© Kinectrics
PD Monitors
Measurement Parameters Types of Monitors
• Magnitude • Traditional PD
• Phase Angle Monitors
⇒ Derive pulse count • Conventional PD
rate Monitors
• Signal Shape • Modern Partial
Discharge Monitors
Cable Aging Management- SLIDE 26
© Kinectrics
AC HiPot & Conv. PD Testing
Cable Aging Management- SLIDE 27
Broad Band PD Measurements
Cable Aging Management- SLIDE 28
Sensor Connections
HFCT For Voltage Reference LFCT For Voltage
Reference
Cable Aging Management- SLIDE 29
AC HiPot & Unconv. PD Testing
• The frequency content of
a partial discharge pulse
depends on…
– Duration
• Strength of the electrical
field
• Length of the partial
discharge it self
– Pulse propagation path
⇒ different PD sources
have different frequency
content
Cable Aging Management- SLIDE 30
• Off-line
Hi-Pots (ac, VLF)
Dielectric loss measurements
Partial Discharge testing
Cable Aging Management- SLIDE 31
Summary of Partial Discharge Data
Cable ID (Phase) AC Hipot DIV (kV) DEV (kV) PD @ 13 kV (pC)
2ENA02NC1-AA/AG (Red) Passed 10.8 10.6 185
2ENA02NC1-AA/AG (Black) Passed 16.8 16.1 0
2ENA02NC1-AA/AG (Blue) Passed 13.9 13.7 0
2ENA02NC1-AB/AH (Red) Passed 11.9 10.7 190
2ENA02NC1-AB/AH (Black) Passed 17.5 16.0 0
2ENA02NC1-AB/AH (Blue) Passed 16.5 15.0 0
2ENA02NC1-AC/AI (Red) Passed 18.9 17.3 0
2ENA02NC1-AC/AI (Black) Passed >19 >19 0
2ENA02NC1-AC/AI (Blue) Passed 14.2 13.4 0
2ENA02NC1-AD/AJ (Red) Passed 15.7 14.8 0
2ENA02NC1-AD/AJ (Black) Passed 11.6 11.2 330
2ENA02NC1-AD/AJ (Blue) Passed 16.8 15.4 0
2ENA02NC1-AE/AK (Red) Passed >19 >19 0
2ENA02NC1-AE/AK (Black) Passed >19 >19 0
2ENA02NC1-AE/AK (Blue) Passed >19 >19 0
2ENA02NC1-AF/AL (Red) Passed >19 >19 0
2ENA02NC1-AF/AL (Black) Passed 18.6 18.0 0
2ENA02NC1-AF/AL (Blue) Passed 17.7 16.1 0
Cable Aging Management- SLIDE 32
Example 1: On-Line PD
• 142 circuits of single conductor 5 kV
EPR
• 19 years to 21 years old
• All cables feeding 4.2 kV induction
motors
Cable Aging Management- SLIDE 33
Example 1: On-Line PD (5kV)
• Partial discharge activity detected through out the system
• However, of 142 cables, only 7 subjected to partial discharge
activity from the cable system it self
– In one case, partial discharge activity was detected from a cable splice
– The remaining six cases related to tracking along cable termination
surfaces
• The remaining discharge activity detected originated from the
4.2 kV induction motors, the bus system or other connected
HV equipment
Cable Aging Management- SLIDE 34
Example 2: On-Line PD (27.5)
• Industrial client
• 42 cable sections, 27.5 kV XLPE
• 12 years old
• Cable circuit constitute single supply line to the plant
⇒ crucial to avoid unforeseen failure
• On-line partial discharge measurements performed
routinely as a maintenance test
Cable Aging Management- SLIDE 35
Example 2: On-Line PD (27.5)
Cable Aging Management- SLIDE 36
Ex 3: Periodic/Remote Monitoring
• Custom made
sensor
– Cable length
– Cable specifications
• Non-invasive install,
can be performed
live
• Connected to
termination box
Cable Aging Management- SLIDE 37
Ex 3: Periodic/Remote Monitoring
Cable Aging Management- SLIDE 38
Ex 3: Periodic/Remote Monitoring
• Permanent installation at
substation
• 1 day installation
• Suspected faulty
equipment PROCESSING
• PD measured from
vacuum bottle
• Verified during
subsequent off-line testing
Cable Aging Management- SLIDE 39
Remote Monitoring Setup – Example 1
Cable Aging Management- SLIDE 40
Cable Testing also involves…
Being nice to stray doggies at work sites - even while you’re busy!
“The greatness of a nation and its moral
progress can be judged by the way its
animals are treated.. I hold that, the more
helpless a creature, the more entitled it is
to protection by man from the cruelty of
man"
- Mahatma Gandhi (1869 - 1948)
Cable Aging Management- SLIDE 41
Contact information
Terry Herrmann Rick Easterling
Structural Integrity Associates Kinectrics
[email protected] [email protected](303) 542-1415 (804) 550-3109
Steve Biagiotti Mark Fenger
Structural Integrity Associates Kinectrics
[email protected] [email protected](303)542-1402 (416) 300-8464
www.structint.com Howard Sedding
Kinectrics
[email protected] (416) 207-6000 x6172
www.kinectrics.com
Cable Aging Management- SLIDE 42
