The selection of the frequency range for high-voltage on-site testing of extruded insulation cable systems

High-voltage on-site tests of extruded insulation cables are necessary to check the quality of the installation of the system. The test voltage should simulate the stress under service conditions, and generate the same failure mechanism. With respect to an optimum design of test systems, a frequency range of 20 to 300 Hz, proposed in the latest IEC Draft for on-site testing of extruded insulation cables, seems to be reasonable. The test results on model cables can be used for real cables concerning the influence of the waveform on the breakdown voltage. The withstand voltage decreases with increasing frequency. The withstand voltage and the electrical breakdown field strength are very close together for frequencies between 20 Hz to 300 Hz. Mechanical defects, as well as water trees, reduce the breakdown voltage at 0.1 Hz more than at 20 to 300 Hz, but the absolute test voltage values are higher, and the breakdown mechanism is different compared with voltages of power frequency or adjacent frequencies. For on-site tests, frequency-tuned resonant test systems (ACRF) can be recommended because they have a very good weight-to-test power ratio, and very low power demands.