Failure analysis of Medium Voltage Cable accessories during qualification tests

Medium Voltage Cable Network plays an important part in reliability of Power Distribution system. The Joints and terminations which form an integral part of the cable network are the weakest link and prone to failures during service due to various operational stresses and ageing. The integrity of accessories with respect to various service conditions are evaluated through qualification tests. Failure of cable accessories during qualification tests occur due to various reasons such as wrong selection accessory components, poor design, Poor quality of materials / Improper Conductor connections etc. The authors have evaluated a large number of cable accessories as per national and international specifications in the laboratories of CPRI. In this paper, analysis of cable accessories failed during Qualification tests are presented and discussed.