Power cable fault locator
February 2014
Electrical Power & Protection
The PFL40A Series cable fault locating system from Megger provides a safe, efficient and easy to use solution for quickly identifying and isolating faults over a wide variety of power distribution cables. Up to 2000 joules of constant energy output is achieved over multiple voltage ranges of 8, 16 and 34 kV. The PFL40A offers DC testing up to 40 kV, proof/burn up to 34 kV, arc reflection, impulse current, and an integrated MTDR graphical cable analysis system.
The standard PFL40A comes as a mobile, compact system that can be further customised to meet specific local requirements. All systems are capable of cable testing; cable and fault diagnosis; prelocation of cable faults; fault conditioning; and pinpoint fault location using acoustic methods.
Typical applications include proof/insulation testing, proving the integrity of cables and confirming fault conditions in cable networks. The variable output voltage can also be used for sheath testing at 5 or 10 kV. After identifying the type of fault, pre-location of the fault position can be determined. A TDR is used to pre-locate cable faults using pulse echo, arc reflection or impulse current (ICE). The MTDR100 features auto-ranging, auto distance to fault and operator assist functions that guide the operator through the fault locating process. In the arc reflection mode, faults are stabilised by creating a temporary bridge to earth. During this condition, a standard pulse echo measurement is taken into what is basically seen as a short circuit fault.
Arc reflection plus (ARP) gives the operator the added advantage of being able to view and analyse up to 1024 traces taken during the period of the arc. During differential arc reflection (DART), unwanted and possibly confusing reflections are removed, leaving a clean trace with only the fault position being displayed as a negative pulse.
For more information contact Stuart Ashton, Surgetek, +27 (0)11 792 1303, [email protected], www.surgetek.co.za
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