Progress in the long term testing of an all dielectric self supporting cable for power system use

All-dielectric, self-supporting, optical cables installed on power transmission lines with System voltages above 150 kV can suffer from sheath damage, caused by dry-band arcing induced by electrical coupling with the power circuits. There is a lack of data from actual installations on the duration, frequency and magnitudes of these low-current arcs. This information is necessary for the evaluation of accelerated testing regimes. The authors report the continuing results of a trial mounted in Scotland to monitor such events