Search

Premium Membership ♕

Limited Time Offer: Save 15% on PRO Plan with discount code: LRN15 and study specialized LV/MV/HV technical articles and studies.

Home / Technical Articles / Test On 110kV Power Cable After Installation (3)
Test On 110kV Power Cable After Installation (Part 3)
Test On 110kV Power Cable After Installation (Part 3)

General description of site test procedure

In previous two parts of this technical article first six procedures were explained. Now the last three (7, 8 and 9) will be explained in details:

  1. Phase indication test (part 1)
  2. DC conductor resistance measurement (part 1)
  3. Capacitance test (par 1)
  4. DC Sheath test on outher sheath (part 2)
  5. Insulation resistance measurement (part 2)
  6. Cross bonding check (part 2)
  7. Zero sequence and positive sequence impedance test
  8. Earth resistance measurement at link boxes
  9. Link box contact resistance measurement

7. Zero sequence and positive sequence impedance test

Positive sequence impedance are calculated assuming that there are no metallic elements that are placed within an influential distances of cable (Railway lines, pipe lines or buried equipment’s etc.).

The presence of other metals or metallic objects influences the sequence impedance. Because of influence of other unknown factors, it is recommended that the impedance should be measured in the field after the circuits are installed. Positive and negative sequence impedance for cables is same value, because the impedance of these in uncharged if a symmetrical voltage system with reverse sequence is applied to them.

Zero sequence impedance of the cable is not a fixed parameter and depends on the kind of transmission and electrical conductivity of the soil (environment). Measurements on installed cables have to be carried out, in order to obtain the exact value.

Usually the zero sequence impedance can be assumed as 3 times the positive sequence impedance value as a practice for initial approximation.

The three currents of zero sequence system, equal in magnitude and direction, are opposed by an impedance that is determined by the loops formed by the three cable cores and returned by the metallic sheaths and earth in parallel. The effective AC resistance of the zero sequence system includes both the effective resistance of the line conductor as well as that of earth return.

The zero sequence impedance can be determined by measurement or calculation when the three phase of the system are connected in parallel and single phase AC current is applied to them.


Instruments / Equipment used

  • 3-phase variable transformer (up to 100 Amps supply capacity).
  • Impedance measurement equipment – Digital.
CP-CU1 Omicron for Zero positive sequence test and capacitance measurements
CP-CU1 Omicron for Zero positive sequence test and capacitance measurements

Instructions

Measurement of positive/negative sequence impedance:

  1. The measurement is done between two phases of the circuit once the complete circuit is installed, cable may be transposed and cross bonded between the terminations. There should be electric accessibility to the cable cores at terminations.
  2. The connections should be made as per Figure 1A.
  3. Turn up the power with the variable transformer until 25 Amps of current starts flowing. Switch the impedance measurement equipment and record the voltage, current and angle (power factor).
  4. Switch off after the measurement and turn the variable transformer down.
  5. The measurement is to be repeated three times: between R & Y, between R & B and between Y & B phases.

Measurement of zero sequence impedance

  1. The measurement is done by connecting the three phases of circuit connected in parallel and a single phase AC voltage is applied to them.
  2. The connections should be made as per Figure 1B.
  3. Turn up the power with the variable transformer until 25 Amps of current starts flowing. Switch the impedance measurement equipment and record the voltage, current and angle (power factor).
  4. Switch off after the measurement and turn the variable transformer down.
  5. Repeat for each phase.
Precautions: safety precautions should be taken prior to switching by putting up warning tapes and stationing personnel at critical point to ensure that no one is within reach of system parts where high current are applied.

Schematic diagrams

Schematic layout for measurement of Positive/Negative Sequence Impedance
Figure 1A – Schematic layout for measurement of Positive/Negative Sequence Impedance

Schematic layout for measurement of Zero Sequence Impedance
Figure 1B – Schematic layout for measurement of Zero Sequence Impedance

Go back to Index ↑


8. Earth resistance measurement at link boxes

The measurement of earth resistance is mainly intended for the purpose of grounding the links of bonding system of high voltage cable screen.


Equipment / Instruments used

Analogue Earth tester Model-04102A, Make-KYORITSU.

Analogue Earth tester Model-04102A, Make-KYORITSU
Analogue Earth tester Model-04102A, Make-KYORITSU

Instructions

  1. Check the battery voltage, set the range switch to battery check position and press test button and make sure the indicator is at right of BATT GOOD position.
  2. The connections as per the figure bellow.
  3. Check the earth voltage by setting switch to earth voltage position, make sure the voltage is 10V or less. If the earth voltage is higher, the result may be with excessive high errors.
  4. Measure the earth resistance by setting the switch to resistance range position and press test button.
  5. The earth resistance must not exceed 5Ω for outside substation and 3Ω for inside substation.

Schematic diagram

Earth resistance measurement at link boxes
Earth resistance measurement at link boxes

9. Link box contact resistance measurement

This test is basically carried out after installation of link boxes and connecting leads.


Equipment / Instruments used

  • Megger DLRO-200 for contact resistance and DC resistance measurements
Megger DLRO-200 for contact resistance and dc resistance measurements
Megger DLRO-200 for contact resistance and dc resistance measurements

Instructions

  1. All the bolts are to be tightened firmly
  2. Connect the micro-ohmmeter with the link box as shown in figure below.
  3. The micro-ohmmeter shall be applied between earth copper bar and each disconnect able copper bars.
  4. Test shall be repeated for individual connections.
  5. The values should bein micro-ohm range.

Schematic layout

Link box contact resistance schemetic layout
Link box contact resistance schemetic layout

Go back to Index ↑

Premium Membership

Get access to premium HV/MV/LV technical articles, electrical engineering guides, research studies and much more! It helps you to shape up your technical skills in your everyday life as an electrical engineer.
More Information
author-pic

Zafar Iqbal

Electrical engineer with more then 5 year experience in Electrical Transmission and Distribution Field. Highly specialized for design, installation and testing of HV/MV T&D lines and Power Substations.

9 Comments


  1. naeem akhtar
    Aug 20, 2017

    Why we don’t do positive and zero sequence test of short length 110kV cables; means cables length less than 200 Mtrs.


  2. Md.Imam Hussain
    Feb 16, 2016

    Engr. Jafar Iqbal
    Assalamualaikum.
    Thanks for your nice technical (Test On 110KV Power Cable after installation) presentation which is very fruitful for us.
    Now a days it is found – Test On 230KV Power Cable after installation follow a test called IMPEDENCE TEST by injecting 20 ….100KA current from a testing Set (like Voltage/ current Injection set/source) .
    Have you any idea/collection about above mention IMPEDENCE TEST. If you have/collect may represent like this (TEST On 110KV Power Cable after installation) we will be more benefitted with drawing( if possible.)
    Regards
    Md. Imam Hussain
    Electrical Engineer


  3. John
    Mar 02, 2015

    Good day sir!

    What is the usual solution for high induce current during the cross bonding test? We tried already to alter the direction of the cross bonding from the link box but still same problem we encountered. Do we have to install special link box? Your quick response for this matter is highly appreciated. Thank you


    • zafar
      Mar 02, 2015

      Dear John, check the transposition and bonding. both should be in opposite direction like if one is in clock wise direction the other must be in Anti-clock wise direction for a major section. the only solution for this problem is alter the cross bonding but the common mistake in cross bonding is the position of bonding cable in link box. to avoid this follow the color of bonding cable( for example, which phase inner core is connected to outer phase).


  4. MAHESHA P
    Feb 20, 2015

    why we should apply DC voltage only ?


    • zafar
      Feb 21, 2015

      DC voltage has Non-destructive nature and it doesn’t cause harmful or cumulative effects on insulation materials by providing a below voltage then the breakdown voltage of insulation.


  5. Cosandey
    Jan 06, 2015

    You wrote “The values should be in micro-ohm range”

    But can you give a hint about the interpretation. What is a good value (e.g. in microohms/km*sqmm)
    The IEC and other specifications are not really helpful because the conditions are allways for a pristine new cable under ambient temp and std humidit.
    Far away from the case in the field..


    • zafar
      Jan 06, 2015

      Dear Cosandey, its basic- just calculate the Insulation resistance of cable (R) by R= (ρ/2πl)*logₑ(d/D) where, l is length of cable, ρ is resistivity (mentioned in cable specification), d&D is inner and outer dia of cable insulation (XLPE), then find out the range of Leakage current by the v=IR equation.


  6. Venerando F. cruz
    Jan 05, 2015

    Do we need to applied DC H.V. on the 110kV cable?

Leave a Reply to Venerando F. cruz

Tell us what you're thinking. We care about your opinion! Please keep in mind that comments are moderated and rel="nofollow" is in use. So, please do not use a spammy keyword or a domain as your name, or it will be deleted. Let's have a professional and meaningful conversation instead. Thanks for dropping by!

fifty four  −    =  forty six

Learn How to Design Power Systems

Learn to design LV/MV/HV power systems through professional video courses. Lifetime access. Enjoy learning!

Subscribe to Weekly Newsletter

Subscribe to our Weekly Digest newsletter and receive free updates on new technical articles, video courses and guides (PDF).
EEP Academy Courses - A hand crafted cutting-edge electrical engineering knowledge