PRESENTATION ON

CABLE FAULT LOCATION

PRIME GROUP

WELCOMES THE

OFFICIALS
-By
PCI OF
LIMITED
Mr. Manoj Vishavadia,
Chief NAVY,
Manager (MUMBAI
S&M)
INDIAN
MUMBAI.
02/12/08

By - PCI LIMITED, MUMBAI

Requirements for a modern Cable Fault location System

In case of faults, cables must be repaired without
delays and with as less expenses as possible. This
requires from the fault location equipment a
- Fast,
- Reliable
- Accurate,
- Easy and understandable
Technology which permits simple and successful
handling of the system even in case of less
experienced operators or changing users with
- Less demands for regular training
- Higher acceptance by the user
- No difficulties even after longer absence
02/12/08

By - PCI LIMITED, MUMBAI

Problems of fault location

Objectives
No
fault

Objective:
To detect cable faults
(e.g. damaged insulation or
defective cable joints).

TESTING
Fault
identified

APPROXIMATE
LOCATION

Objective:
To find the cable route
and the depth of the cable.

ROUTE
LOCATION

PINPOINTING

CABLE SELECTION

02/12/08

Objective:
To identify the fault type
and the fault distance.

Objective:
To find the precise location
of the cable fault.

Objective:
To select the defective cable
searched for.

By - PCI LIMITED, MUMBAI

Problem

Problems of
fault
location
Methods and instrumentation

Method
Measurement of insulation
resistance

Megger

High-voltage test

VLF system
D.C. testing unit
A.C. testing unit

Measurement of reflection

Teleflex etc.
PC data bank

Testing

Approximate
location
(Pre-location)

Instrumentation

Arc reflection method

(surge ARM)

Surge generator
Energy separation filter

Arc reflection method

(burn ARM)

Burning unit
Energy separation filter

Decay method

Test unit
Capacitive coupler

Surge approximate location

Surge generator
Inductive coupler

Bridge-type method
(Voltage loss method)

Sheath fault localizer

Minimum method
Maximum method

Cable localizer
Line localizer

Distance method

Impulse generator
Power-line impulse switch
Digiphone

Step voltage method

Sheath fault localizer

Cable localizer

Audio-frequency method

Cable localizer

Route location
(tracing)

Pinpointing

Distortion-of-minimum method
Isotest
Measurement of intensity
Measurement of polarity

Cable selection unit

Cable selection

02/12/08

By - PCI LIMITED, MUMBAI

EQUIPMENTS USED IN CABLE FAULT LOCATION

02/12/08

By - PCI LIMITED, MUMBAI

Fault Location on Power Cables requires

Efficient use of resources and manpower
Use of smaller and faster cars
Small but powerful systems
Fast fault location
Use of trailers & Cars
Reduced driving time
Faster access to problems
Fault location even in narrow roads
Lower system price to enable decentralisation

02/12/08

By - PCI LIMITED, MUMBAI

Model of an electrical cable

Cable cross-section

Equivalent circuit diagram

L
G

R ... Series resistance

L ... Series inductance
G ... Transverse
C

conductance
... Transverse
capacitance

Equivalent circuit diagram of the cable

02/12/08

By - PCI LIMITED, MUMBAI

Model of an electrical cable

Characteristic impedance

L
G

R and. G
L and. C

The ohmic fault resistance is determined by

The characteristic impedance of the cable is determined by

General formula for calculating

the characteristic impedance of the cable:

Simplified formula for high frequencies:

(e.g. for pulses)

02/12/08

R + j
G + j

Z=

Z=

w L
w C

L
C

thin cable
large spacing

L
C
Z
large small large

thick cable
small spacing

L
C
small large

By - PCI LIMITED, MUMBAI

Z
small

Pulse reflection
Propagation velocity

Propagation velocity of
the electrical wave

erel

Speed of light (300m/ ms)

erel

Relative dielectric constant

L
C

Z
L
C

Characteristic impedance

v=

Z=

Dielectric

Cable capacitance

Guide values for

Vacuum
Plastics

1
2 to 4

Water

81

erel
02/12/08

Cable inductance

C~

erel

erel

and

By - PCI LIMITED, MUMBAI

Pulse reflection
lx

Propagation time and cable length

tx

l =
x

l =
x
02/12/08

v tx
2

v
2

tx

Propagation velocity of
the electrical wave

tx

Propagation time of the

pulse to the end of the
cable and back

lx

Cable length

Half propagation velocity

By - PCI LIMITED, MUMBAI

10

Pulse reflection

Z1

Reflection coefficient

Z2

Us

Ur
r =
Us

r =

02/12/08

Z2 Z1
Z2 + Z1

Ur

Reflection coefficient

Us
Ur

Transmission signal

Z1

Characteristic impedance
of first cable

Z2

Characteristic impedance
of second cable

Reflection signal

By - PCI LIMITED, MUMBAI

11

Pulse reflection

Us

Reflection coefficient (example calculations)

Ur

1.

Cables with variable characteristic impedance

(e.g. change of cable type)

Z 2 = 25 W

Z 1 = 50 W
r=

2.

Z2 Z1
25 W 50 W 25 W
=
=
= 1
Z2 + Z1
25 W + 50 W
75 W
3
Cables with ohmic fault resistance
(e.g. insulation damage)

Z 1 = 50 W

Z 1 = 50 W
RF = 50 W

Z 2 = Z 1 RF = 25 W
r=
02/12/08

Z2 Z1
25 W 50 W 25 W
=
=
= 1
Z2 + Z1
25 W + 50 W
75 W
3

By - PCI LIMITED, MUMBAI

12

APPROXIMATE LOCATION
Goals

What is the goal of the approximate location

To identify the type of fault.
To determine the distance of the fault

02/12/08

By - PCI LIMITED, MUMBAI

13

APPROXIMATE FAULT LOCATION

Goals

What is the goal of approximate fault locatio

To determine the distance to the fault.
To isolate the cable section for pinpointing

02/12/08

By - PCI LIMITED, MUMBAI

14

APPROXIMATE FAULT
LOCATION
L1
Methods

Which methods are used?

L2
L3
Shield

Earth

02/12/08

For insulation fault:

Phase - Phase
Phase - Shield

For open circuit:

For insulation fault:

Phase - Earth
Shield - Earth

Reflection
measurement

Reflection
measurement

Bridge
measurement

For high-impedance
faults:
Arc reflection method
(surge ARM)
Arc reflection method
(burn ARM)
Decay method
Surge pulse
approximate location

By - PCI LIMITED, MUMBAI

(Sheath fault location)

15

Approximate fault location using reflection measurement

Wire - shield fault

Reflectometer
e.g. Teleflex

L1
L2
L3
E

L1

Faulty phase

L3

Good phase

Comparison
of phases
L1 / L3
E
Measurement of
the difference
L1 L3
E

02/12/08

By - PCI LIMITED, MUMBAI

16

02/12/08

By - PCI LIMITED, MUMBAI

17

ARM Plus Technology

Step 1
Measurement of the reference trace
with measuring pulse 200 V or 1000 V
Step 2
Measurement of the fault trace
Surging
0 - 4 kV
Surging 0 - 8 kV
Double surging
0 - 16 kV / 4 kV
0 - 32 kV / 4 kV
Following into the breakdown
with measuring pulse 1000 V or 200 V

02/12/08

By - PCI LIMITED, MUMBAI

18

Surge ARM (Arc Reflection Method)

Test setup
without arc

Teleflex

with arc

Energy
separation
filter

Faulty cable
Surge
generator

02/12/08

Coupling
unit

to max. 50kV

in a cable test van

(depending on equipment)

to max. 25kV

with single devices

By - PCI LIMITED, MUMBAI

19

The ARMPLUS Principle

Surge unit
16 / 32 kV
1750 J

Surge Module
0 - 8 kV
0 - 16 / 4 kV
0 - 32 / 4 kV

Surge unit
8 kV
1750 J

T3050-S
Module

02/12/08

Measuring Impulse
for Reference - and
Fault Trace
Measuring Impulse
1000 V

By - PCI LIMITED, MUMBAI

200 V

20

ARM Plus
ARM Plus
Reference
Trace

02/12/08

By - PCI LIMITED, MUMBAI

21

ARM Plus
ARM Plus
Fault Trace

02/12/08

By - PCI LIMITED, MUMBAI

22

ARM Plus

ARM Plus
Reference
and Fault
Trace

02/12/08

By - PCI LIMITED, MUMBAI

23

Arc burning
Test setup
without arc

Teleflex

with arc

Energy
separation
filter

Faulty cable
Burning
device

02/12/08

Coupling
device

By - PCI LIMITED, MUMBAI

24

Surge pulse approximate fault location

Test setup
Voltage
decoupling

Teleflex

Current
decoupling

Faulty cable
Surge
generator

02/12/08

Coupling
device

By - PCI LIMITED, MUMBAI

25

02/12/08

By - PCI LIMITED, MUMBAI

26

PINPOINTING
Goals

What is the goal of pinpointing?

To determine the exact position of the fault
1)

1) Type of equipment depends on chosen meth

02/12/08

By - PCI LIMITED, MUMBAI

27

Which methods are applied?

PINPOINTING
Methods
L1
L2
L3
Shield
Earth

High-impedance faults:

Distance method
("lightning and thunder")

Low-impedance faults:

Ground faults
Line - earth
Shield - earth

Step
voltage
method

(short circuit)
Line - line

Line - shield

Audiofrequency
twist method

Distortion-ofminimum
method

(only for small

laying depths)

02/12/08

By - PCI LIMITED, MUMBAI

28

Pinpointing in power cables

Comparison of methods
Method

Distance

Step voltage
Galvanic

Capacitive

Ground faults
(line - ground)
(shield - ground)

Audiofrequency twist Distortion of

minimum
Low-impedance
short circuits
(line - line)

Low-impedance
short circuits
(line - shield)

Location:

High-impedance faults

Infeed:

Surge pulse

D.C. voltage

Audiofrequency
9.8 kHz

Audiofrequency
9.8 kHz

Audiofrequency
9.8 kHz

Measurement:

Time difference
between build-up of
magnetic field and
arrival of breakdown
noise

Step voltage
in ground

Electrical field
above ground

Magnetic field of
twisted line rotating
with length of lay
(between infeed and
fault point)

Distortion of magnetic
field at the distortionof-minimum point

Equipment:

Digiphone

Sheath fault
locator

Cable locator

Cable locator

Cable locator

No irritation in the
case of Z laying
or depth changes

Quick pacing of
cable section
is possible

Laying depth must be

less than length of twist

Also suitable for

cables with a
ground-sensitive
lead sheath

Remarks:

Equipment highly
sensitive
02/12/08

By - PCI LIMITED, MUMBAI

29

Pinpointing using the Digiphone

High-impedance fault (breakdown)
Fault

High-impedance fault
(breakdown)

Method

Distance method

Equipment

Digiphone

Numerical value of
distance measurement

Smallest fault distance

minimal numerical value

Acoustic
stop signal

Audiofrequency
receiver
T16/910

Start signal
by magnetic field

Sensor
T16/940

Surge
generator

02/12/08

By - PCI LIMITED, MUMBAI

30

Pinpointing using a cable locator

Ground fault
Fault

Ground fault (shieldground, wire-ground)

Method

Step voltage method

(capacitive)

Equipment

T16/8

Ground
spike

Intensity
display / volume

Capacitive
probe

Surge
generator

02/12/08

By - PCI LIMITED, MUMBAI

31

Pinpointing using a cable locator

Low-impedance fault (line - line - ground)
Fault

Low-impedance
(line - line)

Method

Audiofrequency
Method

Equipment

T16/8

Intensity
or loudness

Search coil in
vertical position

Audiofrequency
generator

Cable
02/12/08

Joint

By - PCI LIMITED, MUMBAI

Fault

32

Route location using a cable locator

Measuring the cable course
Search

Cable with
Audio frequency signal

Method

Maximum method

Equipment

T16/8

Intensity
display / volume

Search coil in horizontal position

Audiofrequency
generator

Magnetic field of
audiofrequency current

02/12/08

By - PCI LIMITED, MUMBAI

33

Route location using a cable locator

Measuring the cable course
Cable with
Audio frequency signal

Search

Method

Minimum method

Equipment

T16/8

Intensity
display / volume

Search coil in vertical position

Audiofrequency
generator

Magnetic field of
audiofrequency current

02/12/08

By - PCI LIMITED, MUMBAI

34

CABLE IDENTIFICATION
Goals

What is the goal of the cable identification?

To select the searched cable from a number
of given cables

02/12/08

By - PCI LIMITED, MUMBAI

35

CABLE IDENTIFICATION

Methods
Which methods are applied?
Intensity measurement
The intensity of
the cable signal
is measured.

Polarity measurement
The polarity of
the cable signal
is measured.

Comparison of the cable signal with the transmission signal

Cut identified cable

02/12/08

By - PCI LIMITED, MUMBAI

36

CABLE IDENTIFICATION

Methods
Which methods are used?
Intensity measurement
The intensity of
the cable signal
is measured.

Polarity measurement
The polarity of
the cable signal
is measured.

Comparison of the cable signal with

the transmission signal

Cut identified cable

02/12/08

By - PCI LIMITED, MUMBAI

37

Cable identification using a cable identifier

Identification
Equipment

T31/2
1A
1A
1A
4A

1A

Transmission current

Return current

The direction of the arrow

on the clip-on probe
must agree with the
direction of the
transmission current.

Cable identification
transmitter
T31/22
02/12/08

Clip-on probe
T16/852

Cable identification
receive
T31/23

By - PCI LIMITED, MUMBAI

38

Cable identification using a cable identifier

Calibration
Equipment

T31/2
1A
1A
1A

4A

Clip-on probe
T16/852

1A

Transmission current

Return current

The direction of the arrow on the clip-on

probe must agree with the direction of
the transmission current.

Always enclose the complete cable

(phase and shield).
Cable identification
transmitter
T31/22
02/12/08

Cable identification
receiver
T31/23

Do not change the receiver sensitivity

once it has been set.

By - PCI LIMITED, MUMBAI

39

02/12/08

By - PCI LIMITED, MUMBAI

40

The smallest solution

Installation into 4x4

Landrover Discovery

02/12/08

By - PCI LIMITED, MUMBAI

41

OUR BRANCHES

02/12/08

By - PCI LIMITED, MUMBAI

42

Looking for Better Tomorrow

Thank You

02/12/08

By - PCI LIMITED, MUMBAI

43