Improvement of underground distribution cable in Mongolia

It is recognized that the failure rate of underground distribution cable system in Mongolia is significantly high, and pertinent counteractions for improvement is urgently required. This situation was informed by Mongolian distribution specialists upon their visit to Japan last autumn. Since then, we have studied to find practical and pertinent solution for the problem. This paper presents some of our studies for the time being and a proposal for reinforcement and improvement in underground distribution cable systems in Mongolia.Most cables used in Mongolia are oil impregnated paper insulation type. Typical cable failures in Mongolia are material breakdowns presumably caused by heavy weights such as traffic vehicles passing on the streets or by impact force given by construction machines. In discussion of improvement in cable lines, we know, many factors are to be systematically reviewed taking long time for study. But in this case, we had better make an immediate and interim report about the problems and say its recommended counteractions for solution now. Our proposal for this time is in relation with depth of cable installation and structure of cable housing duct, in reference with the practice in Japanese industries. Lastly, we would recommend for the future that Mongolia should start survey for use of CV cables (cross-linked polyethylene insulation polyvinyl sheathed cable) because of their high reliability and compatibility even in the cold temperature climates, proven through the worldwide installations.