Damage resistant armoured 3 core polymeric cables for medium and high voltage systems in the UK

The authors address fault statistics at local and national level for cables between 11 kV and 132 kV. Areas of concern are highlighted in the apparent increased activity by utilities laying pipes, ducts and cables, giving rise to an increasing damage rate resulting in a need for a more resistant, robust cable better able to withstand the impact of tools. Various damage resistant cable types are discussed and the authors describe in detail the main design features, with reasons for selecting a 3-core armoured polymeric insulated configuration as the preferred choice. Experiences on new projects with medium and high voltage 3-core armoured designs are described. The authors conclude with valid reasons for selecting more robust cable types as the way forward to increase reliability of power supplies