By hvhipot 
Underground cables, as the “underground artery” of urban power transmission, once a fault occurs, it can really affect the whole body, not only affecting power supply, but also making repairs troublesome. Do you want to know what caused these ‘underground dragons’ to get sick? How can we revitalize them? Today, let’s talk about the magical ‘doctor’ of the ‘buried cable fault tester‘.
What is an underground cable fault tester?
Simply put, it is like a device for “CT” of buried cables. When there is a problem with the cable, such as short circuit, grounding, open circuit, or high resistance fault, we cannot see it with our naked eyes. The buried cable fault tester utilizes various electromagnetic, pulse, or high voltage principles to accurately diagnose the location of cable faults, eliminating the need for maintenance personnel to search for needles in a haystack.
What are the factors that affect buried cable faults?
The “health” of buried cables is not static, and many factors are quietly affecting it:
Environmental factors, such as soil moisture, acidity, and even corrosion from certain chemicals, can slowly erode the insulation layer of cables.
Construction factors: Improper operations during the construction process, such as damage during excavation or compression during backfilling, may pose hidden dangers.
Operating factors: Long term operation can accelerate cable aging due to thermal effects, voltage fluctuations, overload, etc.
External force damage: Unforeseeable external forces such as road construction and earthquakes may also cause cable damage.
What “tools” do we have to solve buried cable faults?
In the face of these difficult faults, the professional equipment of HV Hipot Electric Co., Ltd. has played an indispensable role. They are like magnifying glasses and compasses in the hands of detectives, helping us quickly pinpoint the problem.
Total station and GPS positioning: In the early stage of fault location, combining accurate geographic information can greatly narrow down the search range.
High voltage generator: Apply specific electrical signals to the fault point for testing instruments to capture.
Signal receiver/direction finder: This is the key to fault location, as it can indicate the approximate direction and location of the fault by sensing the electromagnetic signal generated when the cable fault occurs.
Pulse generator: capable of emitting high-energy pulses to faulty cables and determining the fault distance by measuring the reflected signal.
How to use a buried cable fault tester to better solve problems?
To maximize the effectiveness of the “buried cable fault tester“, we need a systematic process:
Preliminary judgment: Based on daily inspection records and fault reports, make a preliminary judgment on the type of fault and possible areas.
Signal application: Use a high-voltage generator or pulse generator to apply a test signal to the faulty cable.
Signal reception and analysis: Use a signal receiver to move along the cable path on the ground and search for abnormal signal points. When the received signal strength suddenly increases or decreases, it usually means that the fault point is nearby.
Accurate positioning: Combined with a direction finder, further determine the precise location of the fault point, even up to meters.
Excavation confirmation: Conduct small-scale excavation at the designated location, identify faults, and carry out repairs.
HV Hipot Electric Co., Ltd. has been committed to providing efficient and reliable solutions for the power industry, and their products play a crucial role in ensuring the stable operation of the power grid.
frequently asked questions
Can the buried cable fault tester detect all types of faults? Common short circuits, grounding, open circuits, and high resistance faults can usually be effectively detected, but for some very special types of insulation degradation, other auxiliary means may need to be combined.
What impact does the testing process have on the surrounding environment? Professional cable fault testing equipment is designed with electromagnetic compatibility in mind, and generally has minimal impact on the surrounding environment.
Can ordinary users operate the buried cable fault tester by themselves? This type of equipment usually requires professional knowledge and operational skills, and it is recommended to have trained professionals operate it.
How long is the lifespan of buried cables generally? The lifespan of cables is influenced by various factors, including material, installation quality, and operating environment, but generally ranges from 25 to 50 years.
What other methods can prevent buried cable faults besides fault testers? Strengthening daily inspections, conducting regular insulation resistance tests, optimizing construction processes, and installing cable monitoring systems are all effective preventive measures.