Low Voltage and High Voltage Cable Testing

LOW VOLTAGE XLPE DISTRIBUTION CABLES:

Insulation Resistance:

Cables shall be tested for insulation resistance with an insulation tester (i.e. Megger) at 1000 Volts for 1 minute.

The minimum insulation resistance to earth or between phases shall be 100 meg-ohms.

The instrument used for this measurement shall have a minimum resolution of 10 meg-ohms on the 0 to 500
meg-ohm range.

At the conclusion of LV insulation resistance testing, the neutrals must be connected to the earth stakes.

Phasing Test:

The correct phasing of all LV circuits shall be checked at all positions where the LV cables are terminated into
fuse bases and where any LV cable is run from point to point.

This test shall be performed with an instrument designed for the purpose. Mains frequency voltage of 240 Volts is
not acceptable for this test.

The neutral conductor shall be connected to the earth stake for this test.

Continuity Test (resistance of bolted connections):

For loop LV systems, a continuity test shall be carried out on each LV circuit to ensure that all bolted connections
are complete and adequate. The test shall be carried out as follows:

(1)

(2) Undertake a continuity test at every point where there is a service provision or open point. In a fused service

At the transformer firmly bond all 4 conductors together

pillar the bottom row of fuses bases must be the point at which the test is undertaken as that is the furthest extent
of the network.

The difference between the readings of each phase conductor and the neutral for each individual test shall not be
greater than 10% of each other. Any difference greater than this may indicate a loose or dirty connection and will
require further investigation.

The instrument used for this measurement should have a resolution to the second decimal point in the 0 to 5 ohm
range.

A typical instrument would be the earth Megger type and taking into account the resistance values of the test
leads.

Earth Resistance Test:

In any overhead or underground network the earth resistance at any point along the length of a LV feeder is to
have a maximum resistance of 10 ohms prior to connection to the existing network.

In any overhead or underground network the overall resistance to earth Shall be less than 1 ohm prior to
connection to the existing network.
11 KV AND 33 KV XLPE CABLES CABLE:
Phasing Test

The correct phasing of all HV circuits shall be checked at all positions where the HV cables have been
terminated.

This test shall be performed with an instrument designed for the purpose. 240 Volt mains frequency is not
acceptable for the performance of this test. The test may be conducted on either the wire screens or the
aluminum conductors.

Where the test is performed on the wire screens, they shall be disconnected from earth.

Outer Sheath Insulation Resistance (Screen wire test)

The purpose of the test is to determine soundness of the outer polyethylene sheath against water ingress,
mechanical damage and termite attack.

Values below 0.5 meg-ohms (500 k) can indicate sheath damage. Values between 1.0 and 10 meg-ohms may
not indicate damage in a single location. Fault finding can often be very difficult. In new cables, values of greater
than 100 mega ohms are required.

The integrity of the outer sheath shall be checked after cables have been buried by an insulation tester (Megger)
at 1000 Volts.

The test shall be conducted for 1 minute between each wire screen and earth after the cable has been jointed
and terminations installed.

For cables after repairs, the resistance must not be less than 10 meg-ohms.

Where HV cable circuits are cut and joined to new circuits, sheath testing must be carried out on the existing old
circuit prior to joining to the new cable.
HV test on XLPE cables already in service or previously energized

Except for New Cables, Testing at Voltage greater than 5.0KV is not permitted

Studies carried out on DC high voltage testing of XLPE cables now conclude that;

DC testing above 5kV of field aged XLPE cables generally increases water tree growth and reduces service life.

5kV is not considered a High Voltage DC Test. The test voltages for tests on XLPE cables is now limited to 5kV
after in service repairs and 10kV for new installations.

A 5kV Megger is suitable for a 5kV test on cables after repairs.

The changes to this section will also make it possible for a repaired cable to be tested by repair crews and made
available for immediate return to service.

Application

Test Voltage

Criteria

After repairs Sheath

1kV Megger 1 minute

10 meg-ohms min.

After repairs Insulation

5kV Megger 1 minute

1000 meg-ohms min.

After repairs Insulation

5kV DC 1 minute

5.0 A (micro-amps) max.

HV test on new XLPE cable:

Prior to the performance of this test, the screen wires must be connected to the permanent earth position.

The cable shall be tested at the test voltage and the pass criteria shall be in accordance with the following table:

Application

Test Voltage

Criteria

New cables Sheath

1kV Megger 1 minute

100 meg-ohms min.

New cables Insulation

10kV DC 15 minute

1.0 A (micro-amps) max

New cables Insulation

10kV DC 15 minute

1000 meg-ohms min.

If further repair works are undertaken, and they require additional joints to be installed, the complete HV testing
procedure shall be repeated.

Alternative HV Test Requirement on Insulation for 11kV Cables

Where it is not practical to conduct a high voltage test, the test requirements for insulation (core to screen wire)
may be limited to testing for the condition of safe to energize. The following list of circumstances and conditions
must be met as a minimum requirement:

The cable circuit voltage shall be 11kV,

The circuit outage duration shall be not more than 48 hours,

The work shall involve extending or repairs to existing circuits,

The insulation test shall be applied for 1 minute between each

phase core and screen with a 1000 Volt minimum insulation tester (Megger),

Typically the test result should be in the order of 1000 meg-ohms.

PAPER INSULATED CABLES

Tests on LV Cables

An insulation resistance test shall be conducted with a 1000 Volt megger. Test results as low as 10 meg-ohms on
old cable circuits are common and therefore considered safe to energies.

Test on 11kV and 33kV Cables between Cores and Earth

For three core belted cables, the test on any core shall be conducted between the core and lead sheath with the
remaining two cores connected to earth.

The test voltages and pass criteria shall be in accordance with the table below.

Application

Test Voltage

Criteria

11kV new cables

5kV Megger 1 minute

100 meg-ohms.

11kV after repairs

5kV Megger 1 minute

100 meg-ohms.

33kV no TFs connected

5kV Megger 1 minute

1000 meg-ohms.

33kV with TFs connected

5kV Megger 1 minute

15 meg-ohms.

66kV XLPE CABLES

Core to Sheath Test after Repairs:

After repairs have been carried out, the 66kV XLPE cable shall be energized at power frequency for 24 hours
without load. DC testing is not permitted.

The cable sheath link box/cross bonding system shall be put into its normal condition.

Outer Sheath Integrity Test:

An insulation resistance test between the metallic sheath and earth shall be conducted. The anti-termite barrier
must be connected to the metallic sheath and the insulation test performed to earth.

The test voltage applied for 1 minute shall be 5kV DC applied with either a high voltage test set or insulation
resistance tester (Megger).

References:

ETSA TECHNICAL STANDARD