Cable testing and cable diagnostics
Underground cables – the lifelines of our civilization.
In today’s world, we face new challenges in the form of globalisation, digitalisation, and climate change. All these factors influence our security of supply. For example, the energy transition has put a greater focus on renewable sources of energy. As the backbone of distributed power supply, medium-voltage networks are becoming extremely important. For it is indeed here that a growing number of energy producers will be connected in future, along with large wind parks, photovoltaic free-standing systems, and biogas plants.
When expanding and maintaining your network, it is important for you to ensure reliable operation on a continuous basis. But how can you guarantee security of supply? And do it cost-effectively? With BAUR you have an expert partner by your side, enabling you to prevent damage and plan maintenance costs precisely. We are dependent on functioning networks – with BAUR you can ensure that power keeps flowing!
Cable testing and diagnostics for cost-optimised maintenance
Sheath and cable testing supports you in assessing whether a cable system is safe and ready for operation at the time of testing.
More and more network operators emphasise the importance of cable diagnostics, as it provides important information on the hidden faults in systems and, in particular, the cable network.
BAUR cable testing and diagnostics: The advantages for you
Plan investments more effectively
With cable diagnostics, you will solve the problem of providing maximum network availability whilst keeping maintenance and repair costs to a minimum. That's because our diagnostics systems enable you to perform condition-based and therefore cost-optimised maintenance.
Reduce repair costs
Our precise analyses of the cable condition make it possible for you to carry out expensive modification and maintenance measures only where they are really necessary. Preventive measures or exchanging unnecessarily long cable routes are now all in the past.
Quality control on new systems
Today, diagnostics procedures are increasingly being used - even on new cable sections - to evaluate the quality of a joint assembly, for example. This can prevent costly complaints or subsequent damage.
home of diagnostics: Unrivalled measurement and testing expertise under one roof
With BAUR, the "home of diagnostics", measurement engineers and asset managers can plan repairs proactively and cost-effectively with greater assurance than ever before.
truesinus®: Compact and powerful – BAUR voltage sources
The BAUR truesinus® voltage sources are handy and suitable for all relevant daily tasks – whether cable testing or diagnostics. They ensure highly reliable results and, thanks to the truesinus® technology developed by BAUR, they provide an ideally formed low-frequency sine voltage as well as the DC voltage required for sheath testing.
Meaningful results and standard compliant: Excerpt from standards
Cable and sheath testing as well as diagnostic measurements with VLF voltage are performed in compliance with standards. Based on international research as well as decades of practical experience, VLF cable testing and diagnostics on medium-voltage cables is now a recognised method among leading bodies and associations.
Whether dissipation factor or partial discharge measurement - both diagnostics methods have their advantages. However, individually, neither of them can detect all weak points. For this reason, it is worthwhile combining both procedures - whether carried out subsequently or together in one procedure.
Dissipation factor measurement
(tan δ measurement)
Dissipation factor measurement (tan δ measurement) is a non-destructive and integral procedure that serves to evaluate the condition of an entire cable route. With the dielectric dissipation factor tan δ, the relation of effective power to reactive power of the cable is measured. The measurement provides clear information on the condition of the cable insulation and its ageing.
Partial discharge measurement
Partial discharges occur at fault locations in the cable, e.g. at electrical trees, joints, and terminations. Partial discharge diagnostics is used to determine possible fault locations in cables and accessories before they lead to failure. This makes it possible to rectify the problem in a timely manner and prevent any subsequent damage resulting from uncontrolled failures. Partial discharge measurement is effected in accordance with standard IEC 60270.
Diagnostics procedures appropriately combined
Whether dissipation factor or partial discharge measurement - both diagnostics methods have their advantages. However, individually, neither of them can detect all weak points. For this reason, it is worthwhile combining both procedures - whether carried out subsequently or together in one procedure. You will obtain valuable, additional information and increase the certainty in the condition evaluation and in the search for faults.
Cable check whilst live: Online PD testing
With the help of liona, the portable BAUR online PD spot tester, cables can also be quickly
and easily tested for partial discharges whilst live (online). The DeCIFer® algorithm supports the detection of partial discharge signals from noise signals. The online PD test helps to detect approximate weak points without switching off the system and, if required, to localise faults.
Further topics relating to cable testing and diagnostics:
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