Experimental investigation of dry band arcing on ADSS cables when spiral vibration dampers are installed

In order to damp wind induced Aeolian vibration and to avoid damage in all dielectric self-supporting (ADSS) fiber optic cables, spiral vibration dampers (SVD) are used. Dry band arcing is a phenomenon observed in ADSS cable, which damages the outer surface of the cable. Damages due to dry band arcing damper and cable are observed in the field. Effect of spiral vibration dampers on dry band arcing is investigated by performing experiments on cable samples. Leakage current measurements from the experiments are recorded. Simulation is performed to reproduce the experimental samples using commercially available software and the electric field distribution on the surface of the cable for two models is simulated. The simulation result is used to analyze the behavior of the arc. When the dampers are installed, an increase in the leakage current and electric field distribution is observed. A possible remedy could be to move the dampers near the middle of the span without reducing its effectiveness.