Condition assessment of distribution and transmission class voltage cable systems

System planners can avoid a forced shutdown by applying a predictive-maintenance program to their transmission and distribution systems. However, the condition of the cable system must be known before it can be scheduled for maintenance. That is where the cable/wise condition assessment technique, developed by DTE Energy Technologies, can help. Cable/wise is an online, totally passive technique that utilizes radio frequency (RF) pulses, emitted by a cable system while it is in service, to assess the remaining life of the cable, splices, terminations and other electrical equipment connected to the circuit. This paper describes the methodology, and the results obtained in the field.