BAUR

Cable Testing and Diagnostic - VLF TD & PD & MWT

Detailed introduction
10-2018
Testing & Diagnostics of MV Power Cables using
Very Low Frequency, 0.1Hz (VLF) Technology
Overview Cable Test- & Diagnostic procedures

Cable Testing
Why VLF testing
Standards and VLF waveforms

Cable Diagnostics
Dissipation Factor (tan δ) Diagnostics
Partial Discharge Diagnostic
Why combined tan δ and PD diagnostics are important ?

Case Study: Cost saving by Cable Diagnostics

2
Overview Cable Testing Standards
for 6 -500kV cables

3
Actual IEEE standards for cable testing

IEEE 400 - 2012 IEEE 400.2 - 2013

4
 Standards
IEEE 400 - 2012: what’s new?

1) HVDC testing not recommended on XLPE cables !

HVDC is not effective in detecting […] insulation defects

HVDC is creating space charges in watertrees in XLPE cables

Ref. IEEE400-2012, p.14

5
Standards
Why no DC testing?
Long term space charges are created in aged XLPE cables!

Distance in Voltage distribution

Space Charge in XLPE,
insulation after grounding
effect of DC test
void
Voltage distribution
during DC test

0
~kV Charging
Remaining DC test voltage
space charge voltage
voltage

Back in service the space charges will create high

levels of localized electrical stress, which decrease
the life of insulation or lead to fast insulation
failures in already weak spots.
Standards
IEEE 400.2 - 2013

IEEE 400.2 - 2004

Test level of 2 Uo to 3 Uo, or acc. to table for 5 kV – 35 kV cables
Differentiation between

- RMS value for sinusoidal waveform

- Peak value for rectangular/cosine rectangular waveform
 Standards
IEEE 400.2 - 2013

Voltage level up to 69kV covered

Ref. IEEE400.2 2013, p. 11
 Standards
IEEE 400.2 – 2013
Testing time

MWT as a replacement of the simple withstand test –

with reduced test time, if TD values remain stable

Ref. IEEE400.2 2013, p. 10

9
Efficiency of a sinusoidal VLF test voltage
Percentage of testing breakdowns on XLPE, PILC and Mixed Circuits vs. Time
At sinusoidal VLF, 3xUo, 1 hour, 0.1 Hz

80
70

60

50
68%
40
30

20
22% 5% 4%
10

0
12 30
Time to Breakdown / min45 60

Reference: S. C. MOH, 2003, "Very low Frequency Testing –

Its Effectiveness in Detecting Hidden Defects in Cables",
CIRED Barcelona, Session 1, Paper 84

10
Standards
IEC 60060-3

1) Distortion – minimum distortion required by IEC standard

IEC 60060-3

Definition of VLF voltage - max. distortion of ± 5 % (Peak/RMS < √2±5%)

Reason: Reproducibility! Voltage shape should not affect the testing or

diagnostic result!
True Sinewave < 0.5 % Competitor A >> 5 % Competitor B >> 5 %
Standards
IEC 60060-3

1) Distortion – minimum distortion required by IEC standard

BAUR True Sinewave Sinewave competitor Sinewave competitor

Voltage and Current Load Current > 5 % @ 300nF Load Current >> 5 %@ 27nF
< 0.5 % from 10nF – 10µF
Standards
IEC 60060-3

2) Symmetry – avoiding space charges

(+) and the (-) half wave have the

+ same peak-value and shape:
No remaining DC offset!
- IEC60060-3: (+) and (-) peaks must not differ by more than 2%

(+) and the (-) halfwave:

Different peak-value and shape!
+ Remaining HVDC offset!
- Remaining DC offset

Space charging!
VLF testing

Test setup

14
BAUR VLF truesinus® testing generators

Cable Testing according to

IEEE 400.2 - 2013

IEEE 400 -2012
IEC 60060-3

The BAUR 0.1 Hz truesinus® voltage is

Independent of load characteristics

Fully symmetrical
No polarization charges created in XLPE cable insulation
Diagnostic results are not falsified and reproducable

15
VLF Testing
Simple Withstand Test
Status: Widely accepted, Standards available, Easy applicable

Apply a test voltage (2 – 3 *Uo) Cable OK

For a certain time (30 to 60 min)

U Cable Failed
2.0*Uo

1.5*Uo

Remaining
1.0*Uo lifetime?
1hour?
0.5*Uo 10years?

t [min]
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 …. …. 60
What is better than VLF testing?
Benefits of VLF Technology
VLF Diagnostics

17
 VLF Diagnostics
Standards
IEEE 400.2 - 2013

VLF MWT implemented as useful tool

Ref. IEEE400.2 2013, p. 9
VLF Diagnostics
Methods to assess the cable quality

tan delta
Integral insulation
condition
Diagnostics
non-destructive
PD
Localization of singular
source of discharges
VLF Diagnostics
Methods to assess the cable quality

After new installations / repairs / periodical cable assessment

Reliable, non-destructive - test voltage range up to max. 2xUo

Status: Increasing acceptance, standards and recommendations

available, experience in the market available and increasing
20
VLF Diagnostics
What is the Dissipation Factor (tan δ) measurement?
Definition of Tan Delta
Real cable – Non-ideal insulation system: R ≠ ∞ Phase diagram:

IR

VLF IC
Source
δ

C
Insulation damage: Cable
• Water trees capacity
• Moist joints
• Aging U
• Partial discharges

tan δ increases when

Active power
tan δ = insulation resistance
Reactive power decreases

21
VLF Diagnostics
What is the Dissipation Factor (tan δ) measurement?

electrical
tree
Outer semi-
conductor

Insulation
Water tree
inner Semi-
conductor

conductor

„Water treeing“ in XLPE cable Electrical tree at a tip of a

water tree in XLPE insulation

22
VLF Diagnostics
Example of the progression of a fault caused by a watertree and
the resultant electrical tree in insulation

Water tree Electrical tree Breakdown

23
VLF Diagnostics

Water tree growing inside the XLPE insulated cables.

1mm
1mm 500µm
1mm

A) Cable S6, B) Cable S6, C) Cable S1, D) Cable S10,

21 years old 21 years old 17 years old 11 years old
VLF Diagnostics
Example of Water Trees and other problems

25
 VLF Diagnostics
Tan delta measurement sequence

U[kV] Continuous monitoring of

1.5*U0
3 criteria (MTD, SDTD, ΔTD)
against defined threshold values
1.0*U0
MTD []
Voltage Ramp-up
0.5*U0
Calculation
t 3.0E-3 of ΔTD:
Action required
TD []
2.0E-3 Further study
3.0E-3

1.0E-3
2.0E-3 Good
U
0.5*U0 1.0*U0 1.5*U0
1.0E-3
t SDTD 0.05 0.06 0.1 E-3

6-10 tan delta measurements per voltage step:

Calculating the TD mean value (MTD) and presentation of MTD vs. test
voltage
Calculation of standard deviation (SDTD)
26
VLF Diagnostics
IEEE 400.2
1. Trend of stability
Std. Deviation / Stability
Trend can be used as very valuable indication of aging effects / water ingress / wet joints / PD

TD 0.5Uo 1.0Uo 1.5Uo 0.5Uo 1.0Uo 1.5Uo

TD

Δ0.25
U/Uo U/Uo

TD
0.5Uo 1.0Uo 1.5Uo 0.5Uo 1.0Uo 1.5Uo
TD

U/Uo U/Uo

High tan-delta precision required (accuracy 1E-4, resolution 1E-5)

 VLF Diagnostics
IEEE 400.2
2. Delta TD

DTD (Delta TD)

[2 Uo] – [Uo] …. Defined in IEEE

PD activity

Water trees
TD(2xUo)>2,2

Cables actually are still in good condition:

TD(2xUo)<1,2 TD(2xUo)>1,2
[tan d (2 Uo) - tan d (Uo)] < 0,6 ‰

Cables with high operating risk

[tan d (2 Uo) - tan d (Uo)] > 1,0 ‰
TD graph: Cable with high operating risk,
DTD (2Uo – Uo) > 1.0E-3, IEEE 400.2
Reference: IEEE 400.2-2001
 VLF Diagnostics
IEEE 400.2
3. Mean TD

Absolute TD value:
Acc. To IEEE 400.2-2001 … up to 2Uo

Acc. to Neetrac, IEEE 400.2-2012,

for service aged cables .. up to 1,5Uo

Cables actually are still in good TD(2xUo)>2,2

condition, do not have to be replaced:
tan d (2 Uo) < 1.2 ‰ TD(2xUo)<1,2 TD(2xUo)>1,2

Cables with high operating risk:

tan d (2 Uo) > 2.2 ‰
TD graph: Cable in good condition, <1.2E-2 @ 2 Uo, IEEE

Reference: IEEE 400.2-2001

 VLF Diagnostics
IEEE 400.2
4. Phase Comparison
TD(2xUo)>2,2

TD(2xUo)<1,2 TD(2xUo)>1,2

Comparison of L1, L2, L3

same condition in all phases same TD graph TD graph: Cable in good condition, <1.2E-2 @ 2 Uo, IEEE

TD(2xUo)>2,2

TD(2xUo)<1,2 TD(2xUo)>1,2

TD graph: Cable with high operating risk,

DTD (2Uo – Uo) > 1.0E-3, IEEE 400.2
VLF Diagnostics
What information do the tan δ values provide?

Indicator Calculation Information

tan δ stability (SDTD) Standard deviation of 6- Partial discharges

10 measurements at U0 Wet joints

delta tan δ (ΔTD) Difference of the MTD at Water trees

1.5 U0 and 0.5 U0 Partial discharges
Vaporization effects

mean tan δ (MTD) Average value of 6-10 Water trees

measurements at U0 Aging effects

Comparison Compare L1, L2, L3 Same condition =>

same TD graph

31
VLF Diagnostics
Application tan δ measurement

To detect aging and insulation defects like:

• Water trees within the isolation material
• Wet joints
• Vaporization effects
• Ageing effects

Application TD measurement:
• Condition of aged cable lines – service life forecast
• Condition after Repairs or replacements of cable sections
• Regular inspection of cables lines
• “Fingerprints” of new cable lines

32
VLF Diagnostics
TD setup

Measurement without VSE-Box

I_Test + I_Earth

I_Earth

I_Test

I_Earth (leakage current of terminations) affects tan delta measurement

Especially critical with XLPE, cables (with small tan delta values), open
terminations

33
VLF Diagnostics

Partial Discharge Measurement

tan delta
Integral insulation condition
Diagnostics
non-destructive

PD
Localization of singular source of
discharges

34
VLF Diagnostics
Methods to assess the cable quality

After new installations / repairs / periodical cable assessment

Reliable, non-destructive - test voltage range up to max. 2xUo

Status: Increasing acceptance, standards and recommendations

available, experience in the market available and increasing
35
VLF Diagnostics
Application of PD diagnostics

On-site commissioning of cable traces

After repairs(exchanges) of joints & terminations

Location of joints showing PD

Location of terminations showing PD

Location of electrical trees in XLPE cables

PD detection and location in paper-mass impregnated

cables

36
VLF Diagnostics
Why do partial discharges occur?
PDs are caused by high local electrical field strength due to defects within the
isolation material

A PD is a localized electrical discharge that partially bridges the insulation

37
VLF Diagnostics
Typical PD sources
Mounting failures in joints & terminations

carbon tracking
Carbon tracking
on the line

Carbon mark
VLF Diagnostics
Typical PD sources
Mounting failures in joints & terminations

water ingress“ in XLPE cables extinguish PD ! Joint with damaged insulation

due to partial discharge

PD source at joint position

39
VLF Diagnostics
PD measurement sequence

Calibration of PD level und cable length

Step by step increase the VLF test voltage

(0,1 Hz Sinewave voltage) and record eventual PD pulses

1. step: 0,5 Uo

2. step: 1,0 Uo

3. step: 1,5 Uo

(4. step: 1,7 or 2 Uo)

40
VLF Diagnostics

PD evaluation criteria

Rate of occurrence of PD pulses - only a concentration of PD

pulses is considered to be a PD fault.

PD inception voltage (PDIV) and PD extinction voltage (PDEV)

in relation to phase to ground voltage Uo

If PDIV resp. PDEV < 1,0 x Uo, PD appears during normal

operation of the cable (dangerous)!

PD level (energy pC)

41
VLF Diagnostics
Phase Resolved Partial Discharge (Pattern) - PRPD

Distinguish between internal or external PD sources

Possibility of classification of type of PD failure

Locally resolved phase resolution for more than one PD failure along a cable

42
VLF Diagnostics
Understand the characteristic of the PD source
Phase and locally resolved PD (PRPD) test

Phase-resolved pattern of complete cable route

Phase-resolved
pattern 2-6 m for
fault position 4.7 m

Phase-resolved
pattern 92-97 m for
fault position 95 m

4.7 m 95 m
VLF Diagnostics
PD setup

44
Calibration of PD-level and length measurement

PD-level

45
 Standards Reference for Monitored Withstand Test MWT
IEEE 400 - 2012

VLF Sinus MWT with tan δ: Useful HVDC

Ref. IEEE400 2012, p. 3 and p.43

46
Monitored Withstand Test MWT - TD
Phase 1: Ramp-up

47
Monitored Withstand Test MWT - TD
Phase 2: MWT - Hold
U [kV]
2.0*U0 Continuous monitoring
of 3 criteria (MTD,
1.5*U0 0 – 10min:
Continuous Recommendation of SDTD, ΔTDt) against
1.0*U0 evaluation After 10 min: suitable test duration, based defined threshold values
of MTD, New criterion: on the evaluation of MTD,
SDTD ΔTDt SDTD, ΔTDt and the
0.5*U0 evaluation in the ramp-up
phase

t [min]
TD [] 5 10 15 20 25 30 Recommended
Calculation of ΔTDt test duration
3.0E-3
Measures required: 60min

2.0E-3 Further observation: 30min

Decision time
1.0E-3
(5 min) Good: 15min

5 10 15 20 25 30 t [min]

48
Cable Testing & Diagnostics – the modern way
- Combination of Methods

VLF Testing TD PD VLF Testing

TD

PD

TD//PD

TD - MWT

PD - MWT

Full MWT
BAUR PD-TaD 60
Summary
Information Benefits
content
VLF 3*Uo VLF
• Voltage stress test – very
Testing t simple!
TD
2*Uo • Measurement of dielectric losses (TD)
TD • Indication of water trees and PD
t
2*Uo PD
• Location of insulation defects
PD
t
• TD & PD
TD &PD
2*Uo • Better identification of masked
TD//PD insulation defects (!)
t • Reduced measuring time (parallel)
VLF&TD
2*Uo • TD
TD -
• Reduced test time (for good cables)
MWT t
VLF&PD • PD
PD - 2*Uo
• Reduced test time (for good cables)
MWT t
• TD & PD
VLF&
Full - 2*Uo TD & • Better identification of masked
PD
insulation defects (!)
MWT t • Reduced test time (for good cables)
• Parallel measurement
BAUR PD-TaD 62
Application – Parallel TD/PD or Full MWT

Measurement via frida/viola

interface during TD
measurement
PD measurement completed
parallel to TD measurement on
laptop
PD measurement during TD MWT

Full MWT
 Standards - Reference for Monitored Withstand Test MWT
IEC 60502-2014

Ref. IEC 60502-2014, p. 45

52
VLF Diagnostics – Measurement examples
Localisation of PD faults in a XLPE cable

Single measurement of a PD pulse Localisation graph

(LOC graph)

53
VLF Diagnostics – Measurement examples
PD localisation results

Paper insulated cable, PILC

XLPE cable

54
VLF Diagnostics – Measurement examples
Application example:
PD failure in joint

Städtische Werke Magdeburg

VLF Diagnostics – Measurement examples
Application example:
PD failure in joint

Städtische Werke Magdeburg

PD location graph: Phase resolved pattern:

First joint at 5.1m Void indication
VLF Diagnostics – Measurement examples
Application example:
PD failure in joint

Städtische Werke Magdeburg – X-Ray scan

Void between Isolation material and field stress control element

Due to bad mounting
Breakdown of this joint during normal operation could be avoided
Warranty claim against assembly company possible !
VLF Diagnostics – Measurement examples
Why tan δ and PD diagnostics?

Spain
PILC 20kV
Age approx. 25 years
June 2006

58
VLF Diagnostics – Measurement examples

Why tan δ and PD diagnostics?

Big difference between Tan δ values of L3 and L1 & L2.
Dangerous condition!
No alarming PD values measured on L3.
Action: Because of high tanδ values a VLF test was carried out.
During the simple withstand test a fault occured at 250m.

In many occasions it is not sufficient to perform a PD

measurement only, because of water and moisture ingress into
the cable and the joints.
The PD level is then significantly reduced or even no PD
can be detected!

59
Example of Full MWT – TD / PD
Example of XLPE cable with joint with water ingress

Visible PD

Drying effect during MWT

Weak joint appears with PD after
some time of presence of HV

Ref.12752
 Case Study # 1 …1
Cable details:
11kV, 3core XLPE 32
heat shrink joints cable
length 3099m

TD Result 17.10.2011
Case Study # 1 …2

TD analysis of L2

Clear indication of
▼ 0.45 ▼ 0.75 ▼ 1.32
Water Ingress in at least
one of the Joints!

▼ 0.45 ▼ 0.75 ▼ 1.32

 Case Study # 1 …3
PD localization result
26.10.2011
Jt.#4 at 661m
L2 PDIV 1.0Uo up to
2000pC

- intensive PD activity in Jt.#4

- Further joints do not show PD activity today a MWT measurement would be
recommended!
Case Study # 1 …4
PD calibration graph
- joint 4 with water ingress at
672m (661m)
Indication of
- Cable length 3099m
- Impedance changes at joint
- Joint 4 with Water Ingress
at 672m (661)
⇒ Jt. # 4, matching result with
PD localization
⇒ Joint is in much more severe
condition due to water
ingress
⇒ 2000pC is the reduced PD
value
⇒ Immediate action required

Negative impedance change

Joint with water ingress
Case Study # 1 …5
Investigation of
Jt.# 4
- Visible water
ingress
- PD tracking marks
 Case Study # 1 …6

TD result after replacement

of the suspicious joints,
cable is safe for operation
PD diagnostics – PD pin-pointing
Confirmation of pre-located PD location with Tracy

+5m

67
PD diagnostics – PD pin-pointing
Confirmation of pre-located PD location with Tracy
Pinpointing of joints with water ingress
Step voltage with AC

Fault location with capacitive plates

Signal source: Audio Frequency Generator
BAUR Cable Test and Diagnostic Systems

frida TD PD TaD62

viola TD

PHG TD / PD

Cable Diagnostics Test Van

70
frida TD

frida with integrated tan delta

Portable cable testing with
integrated tan delta measurement up to 24 kVrms

Including MWT feature

71
viola TD

Viola with integrated tan delta

Portable cable testing with
integrated tan delta measurement up to 44 kVrms

Including MWT feature

72
PD TaD 62

PD TaD 62

up to 44 kVrms
in combination with frida / viola
parallel measurement of TD / PD

In combination with
frida TD
viola TD

73
Cost Saving by part exchange of a cable
line, Germany
Cable was scheduled for exchange because of Kastellaun
frequent failures ! KEM Priess

Customer decided to apply cable

diagnostics by tan delta δ 328m
measurement!

Cable length: 1945m

Cable laying: 1979
Cable type: XLPE

Kastellaun
St. Priess
Topografie

© RWE Net Prüf- und Messtechnik Bad

Kreuznach Andreas Borlinghaus 06/03 74
Cost saving by part exchange of a cable line, Germany

Kastellaun
KEM Priess
618 m of a total of 1945m were exchanged!

328m

After part exchange the

cable is in failure free
operation since 1996
Kastellaun
St. Priess

© RWE Net Prüf- und Messtechnik Bad Kreuznach

Andreas Borlinghaus 06/03 75
Cost saving by part exchange of a cable line, Germany

Comparison of costs:

changing of entire cable:

1945m x € 100,- € 194.500,-
additional costs in substation € 1.000,- € 195.500,-

partial change:
618m x € 100,- + accessories € 66.135,-
--------------------

Cost saving: € 129.365,-

Thank you for your attention