Practical Approach to Underground Distribution Power Cable Fleet Management

With the growing requirements imposed by regulatory authorities, grid operators and power utilities firms are confronted with challenging task of ensuring reliability, safety, resilience distribution networks amid aging asset infrastructure a lack resources. Over past 15 years, health index (HI)-based analysis has become an increasingly popular management tool for several utilities. This strongly focuses on HI-based to consider not only factors such as cable vintage, type, operating conditions, but also maintenance testing data. In this regard, best industry practices testing, including VLF Tan-Delta, partial discharge (PD), time domain reflectometry (TDR), outlined. Moreover, online tests, infrared thermography, ultrasonic PD scan, temperature monitoring, discussed. paper summarizes classic strategies underground (UG) cables. The offers practical approach fleet based authors’ experience dealing utility North American in 10 years. proposed ensures reliable at lowest total life cycle cost. topic UG cables considering various condition parameters overall risk assessment is guideline covers both their accessories, terminations joints. main contributions to: (1) determine key cables; (2) offer that technical issues, considers impact costs, financial impact, reliability etc.; (3) propose methodology translating HI/calculated risks into GIS, making it possible identify major degradation patterns assessment. Considering budget resource limitations around installations, aims assist managers, engineers, owners developing effective strategy.