OR 1& P Richardson Guide to Testing Of High Voltage Cables ‘Types of cables covered by this guide. * PILC - Paper Insulated Lead Covered © XLPE -Cross Linked Polyethylene ‘* EPR. - Ethylene Propylene Rubber This guide has been prepared for cables with working voltages from 1.9/3.3 (3.6) KV up to and including 19/33 (36) KV The following standards have been referenced in the preparation of this guide. * AS/NZS 1026:2004 Paper Lead Cables * AS/NZS 1429.1 :2006 XLPE— Polymeric Insulated Cables, ‘© HB242-2007 High Voltage Mining Equipment © AS 2067 - 2008 For cable types or voltages not covered by this guide contact your supervisor for further information. ‘Note ~ most supply authorities, some government agencies and other private network owners will have their own test procedures, in this instance JPR will generally follow the customers approved procedure Prepared By C Gleadhill Revision 1 29/06/2015 Checked J. Lester 1/07/2015 ‘Approved Berlin 4/09/2015 1|PagePaper Lead — What the Standards Say AS/NZS 1026:2004 B3 Any voltage test of a new cable after its installation should be made with direct current, the value of the voltage being that specified in Table B3. When making the test, the voltage should be increased gradually to the full value and maintained continuously for 15 minutes between conductors and between each conductor and the sheath. No breakdown should occur. AS/NZS 1026:2004 Table B3 Test Voltages New Cables ad 2 3 | Cable Designation Test Voltages DC Kv Between Conductors Between All (Belted Cables Only) | Conductors and Kv Sheaths KV 0.6/1 (1.2) 35 35 3.8/6.6 (7.2) 200 150 6.35/11 (12) 340 25.0 34/11 (22) 34.0 340 12.7722 (24) : 50.0 19/33 (36) - 75.0 HB242 — 2007 8.2.3.3 Test Voltage Maintenance 1 B 3 Cable Designation Test Voltages DC 1aKV Phase to earth Phase to phase Installed Cables 18KV i 18K # Where switchgear cannot be readily isolated from the cable at the terminals, the test voltage is a matter of agreement between the parties concerned. ## Where there is a chance that XLPE cable could form part of the cable under test (includes a transition joint) DC testing must NOT be performed, VLF testing shall be used in this instance. ‘The leakage current should be closely monitored throughout the duration of the 15 minutes, if the leakage is stable the result of the test is Pass. If the leakage current increases the test should continue beyond the 15 minutes with continuous ‘monitoring to a maximum duration of 30 minutes. if stable leakage for 15 continuous minutes cannot be achieved within the 30 minutes the result of the test is Fail. 2|PageXLPE & EPR — What the Standards Say AS/NZS 1429.1:2006 & AS 2067 — 2008 Neither AS 2067 ~ 2008 or AS/NZS 1429.1:2006 mandate voltage testing of XLPE or EPR type cables, both standards provide recommendations on tests that could be performed, these are referred to as Informative. ‘AS 2067 ~ 2008 section 9 Inspections and tests shall be carried out to verify compliance of the design and installation with this standard, and the design and compliance of the equipment with the applicable technical specifications. The following shall be subject to agreement between the supplier and the user: (a) The extent ofthe inspection and testing (b) Which specifications are applicable. (c) The extent and type of documentation provided. (d) Inspection and test plan. Verification may be achieved by the following methods: {) Visual inspections. (i) Functional tests. (i) Measuring, ‘The user and supplier shall agree on the requirements (methods and acceptance criteria) for tests during installation and commissioning together with a listing ofthe testing standards to apply. AS/NZS 1429.1:2006 Appendix F F1 Scope This appendix sets out the recommendations for tests after installation. The DC testing of the primary insulation should not be carried out on XLPE or EPR insulation. F2 High Voltage AC Test after Installation ‘An AC voltage test at power frequency should be applied for 24 hours with the normal operating voltage of the system. It is widely accepted that the above procedure is often not practical due to the 24 hour duration , alternate higher voltage AC tests at lower than power frequency could be applied (VLF), as agreed between purchaser and installer. F3 Advice Concerning Tests after Installation Atest after installation should be carried out to detect defects caused during installation and application of accessories. Fa Sheath integrity Test A sheath integrity test with 2500Vdc insulation resistance tester should be applied between the ‘outermost metallic layer and earth to identify any sheath damage. 3|Page