XLPE Cable Testing

[RegElec]

Hello Everyone.

Looking for some opinions on testing XLPE cable. On 11KV XLPE cable we must do insulation tests with a VLF tester to avoid damaging the insulation. What about 600/100V low voltage 400 / 690V XLPE cable. Does a VLF tester need to be used for these cables as well. I have now phoned two cable manufacturers to ask their technical support this question and neither can verify whether this requires a VLF tester.

[Dylboy]

I am novice on that sort of voltage. It what is a VLF tester ?

Sent from my CPH2197 using Tapatalk

[RegElec]

I am novice on that sort of voltage. It what is a VLF tester ?

Sent from my CPH2197 using Tapatalk

The VLF tester (very low frequency) is used to test the insulation of an MV cable using between 0.1 and 0.01 HZ and must be used on XLPE cable. All explanations of the VLF tester, however, only mention MV cable.

[AndyD]

Not really my area of expertise but as far as I know you'd only use VLF tester on MV cables, not LV. The only reason I could see for VLF or even Tan-Delta insulation testing on LV cables would be for test repeatability accuracy over time for modelling of time-to-failure-event for example.