Megger delivers Cable Test and Diagnostic services to proactively manage asset life expectancy of aged underground systems and can verify new systems are installed defect free as part of the commissioning process. We provide the insight to make informed asset management decisions to increase uptime, decrease maintenance costs and improve capital reach.
Proactively manage the life expectancy of aged medium and high voltage systems
Test for general system maintenance
Test for new installation commissioning
Determine the quality of newly installed cable systems
Our goal is to ensure Electric Service Contractors, Electric Utility Providers and Facility Management Providers have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the health of their cable system that is built on proven technology and is delivered by the experts in the industry.
Why Testing Matters
The Megger Cable Caliber Promise
We Provide the Insight You Need
This is the dilemma for utilities when trying to assess the health of their buried cable systems.
There are over
of power distribution
systems in the U.S., and
underground.
Many of these power cable assets are at the end of their life expectancy and destined to
because of defects that cannot be seen but contribute to deteriorating cable asset health.
Utilities are faced with either replacing complete system loops based on age
or dealing with the
deteriorating system performance
Being proactive
Gaining an understanding of cable system asset health requires professional and knowledgeable expertise from the experts that know the types of assessments to perform and how to interpret the results.
On average, 63% of in-ground cables are in good working conditions, but 37% are in need of rehabilitation planning to address defects to determine if the asset needs repairing, replacing, or if will remain in the ground defect-free.
Testing provides a clear picture of the health of your cable system through a Risk of Failure Analysis. This analysis grades the various conditions of your cables and provides recommended remedies based on the severity of the conditions. This helps asset managers understand expected failures on system loops and radials, simplifying the rehabilitation process, and putting you on the path toward effective solutions.
Megger’s Cable Caliber Test Method combines our manufacturing, testing and industry knowledge with our world-class test solutions to grade the health of your cables to bring your cable system population back to “like new” condition. We test cables in the Power Frequency range and with our patented CR Slope Technology to properly gauge the health of your cables and to determine if their quality meets the manufacturer specifications.
Power frequency triggers cable defects and allows the cable to be assessed under its normal usage conditions in the field.
This level of testing means your cables are measured according to the cable manufacturer’s specifications during production, and they meet the same requirements needed for the cables to leave the manufacturer’s production floor.
If your cables pass this test, then they are graded “like new”.
CR Slope technology (Cosine Rectangular) replicates power frequency and triggers cable defects allowing the cable to be assessed as if under normal operating conditions.
This allows your cables to be measured accoring to the cable manufacturer’s specifications during production. If your cables pass this test, then they are graded “like new” and meet the same requirements needed to leave the manufacturer’s production floor.
The three core test methods of VLF (very low frequency) Testing, Tan Delta Testing (or dissipation/loss angle) Testing and PD (partial discharge) testing assess the spectrum of potential defects and issues that could cause cable failure. These tests combined give asset managers a clear picture of recovery and rehabilitation specifications for system improvements to bring it to “like new” condition.
Megger provides comprehensive knowledge-based Cable testing and Diagnostics grounded in proven technology.
We are committed to providing our customers with the measurement results and insight to make informed decisions about your assets, increasing uptime, and safety.
Over the past decade, thousands of miles of medium voltage cable systems were installed at renewable energy facilities worldwide; in fact, there were more 35 kV cables installed during this period than in the previous 30 years. Similarly, electric utilities have installed millions of miles of underground cable within their transmission and distribution infrastructure.
It is well known that over 99% of all potential new cable system insulation failures are introduced during construction caused from accessory installation, back-fill and shipping and handling. Verification with the Megger cable test procedures ensures the quality of the cable system installation ensuring your new system will perform uninterrupted for years to come.
The key to managing failures, simplifying your maintenance decisions and employing effective cable system solutions is through proper diagnostic testing and analysis with a trusted partner in the industry.
Megger’s Cable Test and Diagnostic Services is dedicated to providing the testing and solutions you need to proactively manage the life of your cable system through developing a custom Cable Life Extension Program (CLEP) tailored to your needs. A Cable Life Extension Program is designed to provide comprehensive testing, insight, and understanding while saving time, money and improving the reliability of your cable system.
Megger provides comprehensive knowledge-based Cable testing and Diagnostics grounded in proven technology.
We are committed to providing our customers with the measurement results and insight to make informed decisions about your assets, increasing uptime, and safety.
Common Cable Issues
The Tests Behind the Insight
Resources and Learning
When testing power cable infrastructure health, we identify insulation defects in the form of partial discharge (PD). An erosion process in cable insulation that over time will lead to an unplanned outage due to failure.
Partial discharge consists of small electrical charges that erode insulation. Partial discharge defects cause non-reversable destruction to the insulation and must be addressed as they will ultimately lead to failure.
A large portion of damage to cables is caused during the laying and installation of the cable or while installing accessories.
These can be attributed to overall workmanship issues (90%), transportation damage (9%) and errors in cable pulling (1%).
To get a complete picture of the overall health of a cable it is recommended to test the cable using 3 testing methods:
These are used in tandem to provide a complete picture of the health of the cable system and accessories, one does not replace the other, and the issues one finds cannot be found with the other tests.
Preventative outage testing utilizes VLF testing to find local defects using planned outages to identify system weak spots.It is a pass/fail test that applies sufficient test voltage for a long enough period of time to permit any defects driven into partial discharge to fail.
Tan delta testing measures the degree of deterioration by detecting water trees, and water degradation, the most common aging mechanism and cause of cable failure and indicates how contaminated, damaged or water tree strewn the insulation has become.
Partial discharge testing focuses on areas where defects begin to show caused by transients within the system. These defects are related to manufacturing and craftsmanship, aging, system operation and external transient events.
Megger’s long history in cable testing equipment manufacturing means we have a strong understanding of cable related issues, and over time have developed educational materials to help industry professionals understand the elements of cable testing. Below are some of those materials.
Megger’s Testing Service offers standards based cable testing utilizing operational and subject-matter expertise to Facility Maintenance Units, HV Service Contractors and Electric Utilities.
Working with a proven leader in the electrical testing industry gives our customers the peace of mind and confidence that from start to finish, their project will be handled professionally by experts who have the knowledge to get the job done right.
Working with a proven leader in the electrical testing industry gives our customers the peace of mind and confidence that from start to finish, their project will be handled professionally by experts who have the knowledge to get the job done right.
Unparalleled Experience
Premier Test Equipment
OEM Knowledge
Megger’s Testing Service offers standards based cable testing utilizing operational and subject-matter expertise to Facility Maintenance Units, HV Service Contractors and Electric Utilities.
Megger is a global leader in electrical test equipment diagnostics for 130 years. From power generation to the power outlets in your home, Megger products cover virtually every application within the Electrical Supply Industry. Established in the late 1800s, the company has been designing and making test and measurement instruments that perform equipment diagnostics for preventative maintenance and asset management, troubleshooting and commissioning. Megger products support customers all over the world to improve reliability, efficiency, reduce costs, extend the life of apparatus and through trending and analysis, anticipate equipment failure and future performance.
The addition of our Cable Testing and Diagnostic Services division is a natural extension of our business. Our background in the design and production of cable test and diagnostic equipment along with our unparalleled experience and expertise in the industry allows us to deliver a service that is above and beyond any competitive offering within the cable assessment service industry.
