Underground Power Cable Life Expectancy

Electric power research institute 2010 portfolio underground transmission program 36.

Underground power cable life expectancy.

Some cable manufacturers will determine a likely life expectancy based on typical conditions. Cable injection technology involves the injection of a diffusive water reactive material into the conductor core of a buried power cable insulated with solid dielectric materials. Power transmission through underground power cables is up to 550 kv. There are a number of challenges in submarine and underground cable study report.

Cable life extension methods. Many of the mv power cables operating in commercial electric utility and industrial locations can be exposed to a variety of environmental. Underground cable testing and life expectancy diagnostics kevin j. For example a household fixed wiring cable with typical electrical loading wired using the appropriate wiring guidelines could be expected to last 20 years.

Underground transmission lines have higher life cycle costs than overhead transmission lines when combining construction repair and maintenance costs over the life of the line. A cable in a underground ductbank concrete encased would afford greater protection to phycial damage than the direct burial ones. Costs an underground 230 kv line costs 10 to 15 times the cost of an overhead line due to time materials processes the need to include. The underground electric power transmission cables more benefits of health ecological due to noise reduction and superior plants management.

Injection technology otherwise known as cable insulation rejuvenation is a well established option to cable replacement. Also cable buried deeper at least code recommended depths and below frost lines would last longer than shallow ones. Life expectancy underground high voltage transmission lines have a life expectancy of 40 years while overhead lines have a life expectancy of more than 80 years. Also how it is buried also affects life expectancy of the cables.

The standards that cables are manufactured to do not specify a particular life expectancy.