Utilising The B2 HVA68TD For Comprehensive Cable Testing & Health Assessment
A major utility provider in the UK approached Johnson & Phillips to ensure the integrity and reliability of their mixed 33kV and 11kV power distribution network, consisting of 10 transformers supplying critical infrastructure. The client sought a solution that would not only assess the health of the distribution cables but also provide accurate fault-finding capabilities to prevent unexpected outages.
Project Scope
Johnson & Phillips was engaged to:
- Test the integrity of the power distribution cables across a network of mixed 33kV and 11kV transformers.
- Identify any existing faults within the network.
- Perform cable health indexing to determine the remaining lifespan of the infrastructure.
Given the network’s critical nature, minimizing downtime during testing and ensuring precise diagnostic data were essential.
Solution: B2 HVA68TD High Voltage Test Set
Johnson & Phillips utilized the B2 HVA68TD, a cutting-edge portable high-voltage test set designed for testing medium and high voltage cables, to execute the project effectively. The HVA68TD provides powerful capabilities for the tasks required:
- Cable Integrity Testing: The HVA68TD is capable of applying high voltage to test cable insulation, ensuring the insulation’s robustness under normal operating conditions and identifying weak spots that could lead to future failures.
- Distance Fault Finding: Leveraging the B2 HVA68TD’s advanced Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) feature, Johnson & Phillips pinpointed the exact location of cable faults. This functionality reduces the need for invasive exploratory work, which can be costly and time-consuming, while also decreasing overall repair times.
- Cable Health Indexing: With the HVA68TD’s Partial Discharge (PD) measurement capabilities, Johnson & Phillips was able to perform non-destructive testing to evaluate the insulation condition. This helped classify cables based on their health, prioritizing replacements for those with higher failure risks.
Execution
The project was completed over two phases:
Phase 1: Initial Testing & Fault Finding
Our high-voltage engineers conducted testing across the network, examining the insulation integrity of each cable. The B2 HVA68TD revealed several cables with compromised insulation and potential points of failure. Utilizing the TDR feature, exact fault locations were mapped, allowing the client’s maintenance team to address these areas swiftly.
Phase 2: Health Indexing & Reporting
Following fault resolution, Johnson & Phillips used the HVA68TD for PD measurements to assess the overall cable health. The results were then analyzed to develop a comprehensive cable health index. This index provided the client with a detailed overview of the cable network’s condition, assisting them in implementing a proactive maintenance plan.
Results
The application of the B2 HVA68TD yielded several key benefits:
- Accurate Diagnostics: By identifying faults and assessing insulation health, Johnson & Phillips enabled the client to proactively manage their infrastructure, avoiding unexpected failures.
- Reduced Downtime: The precise fault-finding capabilities minimized the time required to address issues, resulting in lower operational disruptions.
- Enhanced Predictive Maintenance: The cable health index facilitated a strategic approach to infrastructure replacement, optimizing maintenance budgets and ensuring reliability.
Conclusion
The use of the B2 HVA68TD by Johnson & Phillips provided the client with a comprehensive view of their power distribution network’s integrity. By utilizing this technology, the client gained invaluable insights into the condition of their cables, enabling them to plan targeted maintenance actions that improved system resilience and reduced operational risks.
This project highlighted Johnson & Phillips’ ability to deploy advanced diagnostic tools to enhance the reliability of power distribution networks and reinforced their commitment to providing industry-leading testing and analysis services for critical infrastructure.
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