A non-destructive, high resolution radar (HRR) system that precisely locates faults and splices has been developed. High resistance faults are identified without thumping via a low energy, battery-powered snapshot unit. Only enough dc voltage to initiate and maintain one flashover at the fault is applied; the duration is limited to four milliseconds.Pinpointing the fault or splice is accomplished by detecting the radar signal above ground. SJhen the antenna is directly over the fault or splice, the location is confirmed. The ability to receive the signal from the cable makes the pinpointing step independent of cable propagation velocity.during testing, users have lowered thumping and hipot test voltages where possible, and then used radar techniques to assist in locating faults. However, accurate fault and splice locating is still a challenge for utility personnel. Intensive training a n d c o n t i n u e d u s e by an operator is r e q u i r e d t o o b t a i n a n d m a i n t a i n o p e r a t i n g proficiency.Although advances have been made in URD cable fault locating methods and equipment, it was determined that applying new technology could provide significant improvement.The following goals were established for this new approach:
1.Identify and pinpoint faults without causing additional damage to cable.
2.Identify and pinpoint splices. INTRODUCTION
.Simplify locating equipment and methods. As the early vintage polyethylene cable URD systems of the 60's and 7 0 ' s approach the end of their service life, the number of cable failures continues to be an increasing reliability problem for electric utilities. Unlike an overhead distribution system, where the failure can be visually located and easily repaired, URD cable failures all too often result in difficulty in locating and isolating the faulty cable section and in pinpointing the exact fault location. I n addition t o b e i n g t o o inaccurate and difficult to operate, conventional fault locating and proof testing methods have been shown to be detrimental to polyethylene insulation with water trees [1,2,31. While locating a fault with high voltage J X (hi-pot or thumper), additional damage is done throughout the cable, reducing its already limited life expectancy. In order to minimize damage 93 SN 364-0 PWRD
by the IEEE Insulated Conductors Committee of the IEEE Power Engineering Society for presentation at the IEEE/Reduce test equipment size and improve portability.
IMPROVED FAULT LOCATION TECHNOLOGYTo address the goals, a new location technique has been developed. Its operation is based on significant improvements achieved by using enhanced, high resolution radar (HRR). High speed data capture and processing in conjunction with HRR allow the use of a low energy high voltage snapshot unit and new field locating methods. Present radar systems based on Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) transmit a single pulse down the cable and indicate reflections as an analog trace on an oscilloscope. Range precision is limited by the small choice of scales provided on ...