Power cables: fault detection and identification

Electrical equipment has evolved significantly over the past 5 to 10 years, and fault detection methods have been greatly improved. In fact, after a fierce game of musical chairs, there are now only two manufacturers of laboratory cars left in Europe. At the same time, quite logically, several methods have gradually declined or disappeared. As a result, operating procedures have finally been adapted to this new situation.

Following the decisive contribution of Henri HUBIN (Head of the Electrical Engineering Division at the SFP site in Nanterre) to fault detection methods, this knowledge is now maintained by a very small group of experts from the Professional Training Department (SFP) at Électricité de France. An exceptional classroom allows for the use of virtually all existing equipment in near-real conditions, taking into account all regulatory and safety constraints.

In addition to training users (Électricité de France, RTE, EDF subsidiaries, electricity and public lighting companies, other distributors in Europe and around the world), this tool also enables participation in the development of new equipment, in partnership with equipment manufacturers, and its validation.

For particularly innovative techniques such as very low frequency (VLF) testing, cable diagnostics, and partial discharge measurement, this partnership involves the EDF Group's Research & Development Division.

This booklet is part of a dossier on fault detection in power cable networks:

• "Power cables: fault location and identification";

• "Power cables: pre-location of faults using echo metering";

• [D 4 543] "Power cables: theory of echometry";

• [D 4 544] "Power cables: methods for locating faults";

• "Power cables. Find out more."