Heat cycles test set for power cable

Abstract

The heat cycles test set is designed and built in accordance with what is discussed in the article for high voltage cables testing [1, 2]. The test set feeds current periodically into the cable under testing. In on-cycle, the test set heats up the cable for at least 8 hours while in the off-cycle, it allows the cable to cool down for at least 16 hours until its conductor temperature is within 10 °C above the ambient temperature. The current that is fed into the cable during the on-cycle is to be recorded for 2 consecutive hours when the conductor temperature remains constant as per the insulation standard (IEC 60840-2004). The heat cycles test set has two separate current sources, which can be used independently. Programmable Logic Control (PLC) is used in controlling the operations of the test set, e.g. the two current sources can be programmed to work together, moreover, the number of testing cycles, feeding current, and also the resulted temperature of any on-cycle can be selected. In conclusion, the test set built as described, can perform its functions satisfyingly while accomplishing cost reduction. This is because an imported test set of the same kind is more expensive. Besides, a digital recorder is installed for recording temperature and current during testing. An acceptable error of 1.45% to -1.62% of the test set is obtained when undergone the calibration.