Cable Fault Location Services

General approach
The objective of Asset Services is to ensure fault-free operations and to minimize the need for fault recovery. That’s also the case for cable grids or connections. If a failure nevertheless occurs, it’s essential to quickly locate cable faults in the most accurate manner possible.
 
Although the cables are highly developed, there are sometimes failures in cable networks. Even properly installed cables can face progressive degradation due to harsh environmental conditions such as overheating, excessive moisture, corrosive environments, mechanical stress and aging of the insulation.

To keep the consequential damages as small as possible, we offer trained staff and efficient equipment. Our Cable Fault Location Services performed with LIRA® Technology, will together with other inspection tools, provide the grid operator with a wear-free and comprehensive fault location methodology for a fast recovery time.
 
LIRA® can detect:

  • degradations due to temperature, bends, scratches, corrosion, water intrusion, mechanical impacts, fatigue, water trees, etc.
  • insulation material degradation.
  • cable joints e.g. between different cable types.

In case of mechanical impact on cables, LIRA® measurements will be performed also to evaluate the severity of any damage on the cable system. This ensures maximum operational reliability. Of course, all measured data will be stored like a fingerprint for future use e.g. for introduction of condition based maintenance (CBM), based on regular assessments or even online condition monitoring.
 
Your benefits at a glance

  • With LIRA® Cable Fault Locations Services, the grid operator can minimize the recovery time and establish promptly and effectively the necessary corrective measures.
  • LIRA® offers fault location with the best accuracy compared with alternative technologies.
  • Degradations can be assessed precisely and by that corrective actions can be planned in advance.
  • LIRA® can save significant costs for fault recovery due to shorter repair time.
  • Historical cable reports provide an early warning system for potential faults.
  • LIRA® is a wear-free location methodology with only 5V white noise.

The benefits apply to

  • Transmission & Distribution grids
  • On- and Offshore wind parks
  • Process Industry
  • Oil- and Gas Industry
  • Topside and submarine cables (incl. umbilical)
  • (Nuclear) Power Plants – I&C and Power cables
  • Cable Manufacturers – Reference measurements – Quality control

Features

  • Best-in-class cable diagnostic system.
  • Sensitive to small degradation and defects.
  • Accurate Hot-Spots and deviations location.
  • Non-intrusive and non-destructive.
  • Applicable on multi-segment systems with different cable types.
  • Pre-study/simulation of cable data and defects.
  • LIRA® performs a power spectrum analysis of impedance phase and amplitude – an advanced detection method of abnormal conditions.
  • Fast and simple connection to test object.
  • Only one access point needed for measuring.
  • LIRA® provides possibility to zoom in on the blind zone at the near end termination. This feature enables detailed, high resolution measurements in the cable end close to the connection point.
  • For all voltage levels from control cables to high voltage cables.