A-26

2012 IEEE International Conference on Condition Monitoring and Diagnosis

23-27 September 2012, Bali, Indonesia

Monitoring of 420 kV XLPE Cable System in

Underground Tunnel
D. Gieselbrecht, W. Koltunowicz, A. Obralic, T. Ritz

P. Christensen, B. Schneider, K.H.Cohnen (*)

nkt cables a/s, Brndby, Denmark
(*) nkt cables, Cologne, Germany

OMICRON Energy Solutions

Berlin, Germany
wojciech.koltunowicz@omicron.at

Per.Christensen@nktcables.dk
insulation condition is necessary. This information can be
derived by monitoring certain diagnostic parameters during the
operation of the equipment. Consequently, continuous
monitoring is an essential tool for proper maintenance
management to guarantee the high level of asset reliability [2].
The monitoring system not only provides a set of excellent
components but also the know-how in data evaluation and long
term partnership, supporting any utilities decision over the
complete asset life cycle.
The concept of applied continuous monitoring system is
presented in Fig. 1. The signals from different sensors
measuring partial discharges, distributed temperature, oil
pressure in terminations and sheath voltage limiters are
acquired by multi-channel data acquisition units.

AbstractThis paper deals with continuous monitoring of

components of a 400 kV XLPE cable system placed in an
underground tunnel in South London. An advance concept to
assess and monitor the condition of the insulation of cable system
is described. Partial discharges are continuously monitored at all
joints and terminations and at the same time the system performs
measurement of oil pressure in 400 kV terminations as well as the
condition of all sheath voltage limiters located in the joint bays.
Special attention is given to the procedure of on-site acceptance
of monitoring system and to the system maintenance strategy.
Keywords-component;
discharge, monitoring

I.

HV/EHV

XLPE

cables,

partial

INTRODUCTION

In the UK, major cities suffer from heavily congested roads

and as a result the use of a new underground cable tunnels to
provide an environment to contain HV and EHV cable systems
has become ever more popular in recent years. The 10 km in
length and having a 3 m inner diameter tunnel between
substations at Beddington and Rowdown is part of National
Grids investment programme to meet the growing demand for
electricity in London and to reinforce electricity transmission
in the South East. The tunnel houses a new 400 kV, 2500 mm2
XLPE cable circuit. The longest cable sections are
approximately 1176 m, being the record for this voltage in the
UK to date. Installing cables in confined spaces such as
underground tunnels changed the logistics and the approach on
how these cable installation methodologies can be executed
safely and effectively to guarantee high system reliability [1].
A continuous monitoring system is applied to the cable
system. Partial discharges (PD) are continuously monitored at
all joints and terminations and at the same time the system
performs measurement of oil pressure in terminations and
check the condition of all sheath voltage limiters (SVLs)
located in the joint bays.
II.

Figure 1. Concept of monitoring system

In case of PD signals, the acquisition unit performs advanced
pre-processing of the raw data. The disturbances are removed
and main characteristics of the PD signal are determined. The
output of the data pre-processing is transferred to a server that
enables long-term data storage. Advanced intelligent preprocessing reduces the amount of data to adequate levels for
transmission over a communication network.

MONITORING SYSTEM CONCEPT AND COMPONENTS

The separation of PD sources and effective suppression of

external noise is achieved by the application of synchronous
multi-channel (3PARD) evaluation techniques. The 3PARD
diagram visualizes the relation among amplitudes of a single
PD pulse in one phase and its crosstalk generated signals in the
other two phases [2, 3].

A. Concept of the System

The majority of dielectric failures in HV and EHV XLPE
cable system can be assigned to the defects in the electrical
insulation system of joints and terminations. These defects
develop over cable system lifetime. In order to detect such
changes at an early stage, detailed information on the actual

978-1-4673-1018-5/12/$31.00 2012 IEEE

917

B. PD Acquisition System and Inductive Power Supply

Inductive high frequency current transformers (HFCT)
sensors are mounted on cross-bonding (CB) links are used to
detect PD directly at the accessories (Fig. 2). The PD
acquisition system consists of one four-channel, high-precision
and modular acquisition unit for each accessory, connected to a
data concentrator. One data concentrator collects monitoring
data from two or three acquisition units via optical fibers and
routes them to a server (Fig. 3). Pre-processing functions are
already performed in data concentrator like e.g.: bands pass
integration, gating, denoising and multi-source separation.
The active components of monitoring system need
electrical power for several processes. Beside the computer and
communication devices, also pre-amplifiers or signal
converters (electrical to optical, e.g.) located close to the
sensors have to be supplied with power. Power supply
solutions for HV cable monitoring systems in underground
tunnel face different constraints like e.g.; distributed sensing
and EMC related to transient overvoltages short circuit currents
in bad grounding conditions. Cable joints are usually locations
without installed local AC power supply. In existing cable
tunnels, due to safety reasons, no auxiliary cables are laid close
to the power cables. In contrast, AC power supply of
monitoring devices for cable terminals located in substations is,
in principle, available.
The Inductive Power Supply provides the necessary
electronics to supervise and manage the dc current delivered at
its output depending on the various HV cable current load
situations (Fig. 4). The PCBs and electronics elements are
filtered and optimized to avoid any disturbances of the PD
measurements close by.

Figure 4.

It is accepted practice in the UK to install HV and EHV

cable systems in tunnels with open air SVLs connected in
delta formation directly across the joint insulation flanges. A
major advantage of such a bonding configuration is the
avoidance of grounding points within the tunnel normally
required at each joint bay. An additional benefit is that the
voltage drop across the screen separation is smaller. The
disadvantage is that the rating of the SVLs must be higher and
therefore the physical size bigger. The access to the SVLs is
limited, so there is a requirement to continuously monitor their
status, such as:
Normal operation (below inception voltage);
SVL is short circuited when the conductive flashover trace
is generated through the SVL varistors;
SVL is in open loop totally damaged (active elements
destroyed-exploded).
A SVL is a non-linear resistor and together with the parallel
cable screen at a cross-bonding link creates characteristic loop
impedance. This impedance will change according to the status
of the SVL and the operation of SVL monitoring system is
based on these changes. In the system, the PD acquisition units
located at the joint bay periodically inject signal pulses
(using their internal test generators). These signals propagate
through the HFCT sensors to the SVL impedance loop and

C. Sheath Voltage Limiters Monitoring

Sheath Voltage Limiters minimize the transient voltage
across the screen separation of cross-bonding joints during
switching or lightning transients and reduce the risk of
damaging these.

Figure 2.

PD acquisition system

Inductive Power Supply

Figure 3.

918

Schematic diagram of monitoring system

eventually arrive at the acquisition unit itself. The Fourier

transforms of injected and returned signals are calculated,
averaged and compared. No special sensors are required for
the scope and major part of evaluation of SVL monitoring data
is performed within the Monitoring Server. Differences can be
easily analyzed and distinguished by spectral processing
algorithm implemented in the Monitoring Server Software.
System principle has been preliminary tested and proven in the
wooden mock-up tunnel built at the nkt cables offices in
Brndby (Fig. 5 and 6) and finally checked after cable
installation in London tunnel.

Figure 7.

Software system architecture

TABLE I. DEFAULT TIME SCHEDULING FOR DIFFERENT MEASURED VALUES

Mode
Value

Permanent

Periodic

Partial Discharge

every 2-3 sec

for 1 every 1 h

Oil pressure at terminations

every 2- 3 sec

once every 1 h

SVL status

--

once every 8 h

During the permanent mode, the data are acquired every 23 seconds, compared with threshold values and in real time
displayed in graphical user interface. In case those data are
within normal margins, they will be colored in green. If the
values exceed thresholds for "warning" or "alarm" they are
colored in yellow or red accordingly.
Periodic measurements are initiated in equidistant time
spans, e.g. every hour. Duration of the periodic measurement
is normally 1 min. During this time span all mentioned scalar
values are calculated and PRPD (phase resolved PD) and
3PARD diagrams are acquired. These data are saved for later
post-processing and trend visualization. Unscheduled periodic
measurements are triggered in case of one or more measured
quantities exceeding the threshold level.
PD activity is displayed as PRPD for each phase/sensor
and for each separated PD source, respectively. Trend
diagrams of statistical parameters such as PD magnitude,
frequency of occurrence of PD pulses etc. are available.
Suitable filter options enable the user to select the data display
according to his specific interest. The user can set limits which
cause warning or alarm messages when exceeded. The
measured values are continuously compared with signal
levels. The measured quantities are colored according to their
value related to pre-seated warning or alarm threshold levels.
This means, if the detected PD level on any channel on one
assed exceeds a configurable threshold, the corresponding
value will be drawn in red (Fig. 8).
The SVL status is verified within the Server Software by
FFT-based spectral analysis of the signal injected to the XB
link loop impedance from PD acquisition unit. A statistical
model of normal SVL behavior is used for reference. The
model is constructed based on the SVL data collected during
starting limited time period of cable system operation with
different load conditions. SVL status analysis is based on
statistical comparison parameters between the model and
current SVL measurements which clearly distinguish normal
operation of SVL from short circuited and open loop SVL.

Figure 5. HFCT sensors at XB-links are sending and receiving impulses to

check the SVL status

Figure 6. Frequency signal response for different status of SVL

D. Server and Software Architecture

The server receives data for analysis, display, and storage.
The acquisition units are configured and remote-controlled by
the Monitoring System Software. The Software supports
remote access over TCP/IP. This allows operators to quickly
react to detected problems and access the stored data from any
remote location. The software is a highly modular, scalable
distributed system. Its system architecture consists of the
windows-based core part and the web-based control part (Fig.
7). The core part of the Monitoring Software is realized as
windows services and runs continuously without any direct
user interactions. The core system implements: collection and
persistence of measurement, data post-processing and analysis,
security tasks for data access and system operations, external
interfaces for data exchange over Ethernet or field bus.
E. Trend Analysis
The monitoring system provides data from each of the
acquisition units and oil pressure sensors in two time intervals:
permanent and periodic one (Table I).

919

maintenance schedule activity of the cable system. This would

require access to the system installations, cable tunnel,
manhole, shafts and other related substation facilities including
eventual outage of the cable system which requires respective
scheduling efforts. Software updates are foreseen. They would
include modifications, bug fixes, and potentially software
enhancements with new features. Regular checks and
evaluation of data values and trending for the acquired partial
discharges stored in the database of the monitoring system on a
per cable system accessory basis are also possible, if requested
by the system owner. In case of repetitively reported trending
alerts or alarms or specific PD events detected by the
monitoring system, PD Expert consultancy and support can be
requested by the system owner.

Figure 8. Graphic user interface

TABLE II. MAINTENANCE SCHEME OF MONITORIN SYSTEM

III. ACCEPTANCE OF THE MONITORING SYSTEM ON SITE

The monitoring system was routine tested in the factory and
later installed on-site (Fig. 9).

System
element
Hardare
Sofware

Maintenance scheme
Activity to be
performed

Periodicity

Responsibility

visual check

yearly

owner

functionality check

every 3 years

owner &
system provider

updates

every 3 years

system provider

data evaluation

periodic reports

system provider

expert consultancy

in case of PD
event

system provider

CONCLUSIONS

The monitoring system provider shall support the

asset owner in all stages of the monitoring project, from
system design to maintenance of the monitoring system in
service;
Figure 9. Installation of the system on site

Separation of PD sources and suppress of external

noise is performed by multi-channel evaluation techniques;

The site check of performance of the monitoring system was

performed according to the following steps:
Step 1: verification of the functional readiness of the
measuring system and of the monitoring server
Step 2: verification of the synchronous behaviour of the PD
measuring system
Step 3: determination of PD impulse attenuation, damping
and dispersion along the cable system.
The following parameters were determined: PD impulse
attenuation, damping and dispersion along the cable, velocity
of the calibration signal in the cable, best frequency ranges for
PD measurements at all PD units (with highest signal to noise
ratio), PD detection path division factor for every chosen
frequency range.
IV.

The Inductive Power Supply provides the necessary

power to the monitoring equipment to supervise the 400 kV
cable system. The dc current delivered is depending on the
HV cable load situations, but even at very low load the
power is sufficient to run the monitoring system;

To verify the status of SVL, the system utilizes the

CB link loop impedance;

A modular, distributed monitoring software system

allows reliable long term storage of monitoring data and
provides access via web interface;
REFERENCES
[1]

MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM AND CUSTOMER

SUPPORT

The services and maintenance scheme of the monitoring

system is presented in Table II. The installed system elements
i.e. sensors, acquisition units, power supplies, batteries and
fibre optical data transmission network elements are
periodically inspected and checked. These visual inspections
and functional checks include adjustments, repair or minor
maintenance activities. Such visual inspections are planned
once every three years in coordination and align with the

[2]

[3]

920

P. Christensen, J. Nielsen, A. Hanekom, D. Cheale, Improved

installation methodologies for EHV Cables in Undrground Tunnels,
paper A1.6, in proceedings of: 8th International Conference on
Insulated Power Cables (Jicable) , Paris-Versailles-France, 19-23 June,
2011.
W. Koltunowicz, A. Obralic, A. Belkov, D. Gieselbrecht,"Continuous
PD Monitoring of HV XLPE Cable Lines", paper B1.9, in proceedings
of: 8th International Conference on Insulated Power Cables (Jicable) ,
Paris-Versailles-France, 19-23 June, 2011.
W. Koltunowicz and R. Plath, 2008, "Synchronous multi-channel PD
measurements", IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical
Insulation, vol.15, no.6, pp. 1715-1723, 2008.

OMICRON is an international company serving the electrical power industry with

innovative testing and diagnostic solutions. The application of OMICRON products
allows users to assess the condition of the primary and secondary equipment on
their systems with complete confidence. Services offered in the area of consulting,
commissioning, testing, diagnosis and training make the product range complete.
Customers in more than 140 countries rely on the companys ability to supply leading
edge technology of excellent quality. Service centers on all continents provide a broad
base of knowledge and extraordinary customer support. All of this together with our
strong network of sales partners is what has made our company a market leader in the
electrical power industry.

Americas
OMICRON electronics Corp. USA
3550 Willowbend Blvd
Houston, TX 77054, USA
Phone: +1 713 830-4660

+1 800-OMICRON
Fax:
+1 713 830-4661
info@omicronusa.com

OMICRON

Asia-Pacific
OMICRON electronics Asia Limited
Suite 2006, 20/F, Tower 2
The Gateway, Harbour City
Kowloon, Hong Kong S.A.R.
Phone: +852 3767 5500
Fax:
+852 3767 5400
info@asia.omicron.at

Europe, Middle East, Africa

OMICRON electronics GmbH
Oberes Ried 1
6833 Klaus, Austria
Phone: +43 5523 507-0
Fax:
+43 5523 507-999
info@omicron.at

www.omicron.at www.omicronusa.com