CABLE TESTING & DIAGNOSTICS

Careful use and care of your cables can substantially increase their lifespan. Cable testing is typically inclusive of the different categories below:

- Cable Testing (up to 35kV): performed in order to validate the service capabilities

- Cable Diagnostics: performed in order to evaluate a cable's health and predict it's durability & duration

- Fault Location: performed in order to quickly detect the fault area of the cable

Cable Testing & Diagnostics (UP TO 35kV)

Cable diagnostic testing is preventative - performed to determine the degree of degradation of a cable. It demonstrates the probability of the cable continuing to perform properly throughout its life. For plant managers, predicting and preventing possible outages through determining the condition of their cable systems is vital. Cable testing and diagnostics supply information as to the cable's overall insulation system. This information will include localized problems (poor joints & terminations), as well as weak spots within the insulation. Varying cable tests are performed in order to determine potential failures before they occur, so as to prevent outage. Here at MP Predictive Technologies, we have all the Megger test equipment necessary to perform these tests, and subsequently make well-founded and educated cable management decisions throughout the cable's lifespan, as well as cable testing certified technicians. If you have cables that are newly installed, we are also able to test those to disclose any faults stemming from transportation/installation. 

VLF (Very Low Frequency) Cable Testing:

VLF (Very Low Frequency) cable testing is a technique for testing medium voltage cables. It is used to detect potential faults in the cable insulation amidst a planned outage. Water treeing is especially prominent in old XLP insulation, which VLF testing can predict and prevent. VLF testing can include Hi-Pot and dissipation factor (Tan Delta) testing. 

Tan Delta Testing:

The Tan Delta test evaluates the condition of the cable without creating damage, consequently reducing downtime. Tan Delta testing is a diagnostics test in which results are used for spot evaluation, trending where past data exists, or to establish the baseline for new cable installations. This test does not cause a space charge, therefore it is ideal for analyzing the service aged XLP cables. 

Hi-Pot Testing:

Hi-Pot (High Potential) testing is only done to new cables per customer request. Hi-Pot testing is applying an overvoltage to a cable for a short duration of time in order to verify the dielectric integrity of the cable.