Advanced Tools and Expertise for Value-added Condition Assessment

Kinectrics gives you the advantage of superior cable life cycle management services. Our team of specialists have the right tools, from low-cost solutions to large full-scale systems for gathering data on equipment. We provide proven technical expertise to accurately interpret scientific results that deliver maximum value to clients for the effective management of assets.

Kinectrics has established one of the largest and most extensive historical databases on cable insulation properties and life assessment in the industry.

Asset Management

Kinectrics uses several proprietary computational tools to assess the effect of maintenance policies on equipment condition, performance and their related risk implications. This methodology allows an effective analysis and determination of optimum maintenance, refurbishment and replacement policies.

Condition Assessment

Kinectrics applies a proprietary methodology combining historical diagnostic information on the equipment with appropriate non-destructive diagnostic tests to arrive at equipment health indices. 

Diagnostic tests are applied preferably on-line to eliminate the need for equipment outage. Specific strategies are discussed below.

High Voltage (Transmission) Cables

High Voltage (HV) cables operate at high electrical stress and are manufactured, installed and maintained using technology designed to rigorously control all aspects of their environment  (electrical, thermal and mechanical). HV cables are generally provided with an impervious metallic sheath that must be properly maintained to avoid ingress of water.  However, HV cables can undergo electrical, thermal and thermo-mechanical deterioration that may hasten end-of-life.

Diagnosis of HV cable condition is performed using a combination of visual inspection, fluid sampling and testing, depending on the type of cable (XLPE, SCOF, HPOF, HPGF). Partial discharge (PD) testing is a powerful on-line diagnostic technique that can probe electrical deterioration in cables and accessories. HV Cable Testing (PDF)

In addition to fluid sampling to perform dissolved gas analysis low frequency dielectric spectroscopy is applied to paper insulated cables to determine the extent of thermal degradation.  Thermal degradation can result from inadvertent overloading as a result of changes to the cable environment. Link to Oil Testing & Diagnostics

Advanced cable rating expertise and real time rating systems are provided by Kinectrics. Link to Real-time Rating Solutions

Specialized testing is also offered by Kinectrics, to assess the movement of cables in joints (by radiography) or the condition of the cathodic protection system and pipe-to-soil potential; these measurements are required to assess the condition of the metallic envelope of HPOF cables.  Breaching of the metallic envelope results in loss of oil to the environment; methods to locate oil leaks along the cable length are provided. Link to Leak Location Solutions

Medium Voltage (Distribution and Plant) Cables

Medium Voltage (MV) cables operate at lower electrical stress and, with the exception of PILC, are not provided with an impervious metallic sheath. Extruded cables operating in wet environments are thus subject to progressive water tree deterioration, leading to a gradual decrease in AC breakdown strength along with changes in dissipation factor and related phenomena; ultimately partial discharges will be present, a precursor to cable failure.

Kinectrics uses both on-line PD technology and off-line technologies (PD tip up, dissipation factor measurements and low frequency dielectric spectroscopy) to determine the state of deterioration of MV cables operating in wet environments.

Oil-impregnated (PILC) cables are provided with a metallic sheath to control cable insulation environment.  However, over time PILC can be overloaded while sheaths can be breached, and high stress points will lead to progressive deterioration.  Kinectrics uses on-line PD technology and off-line dissipation factor measurements and low frequency dielectric spectroscopy to determine the condition of aged paper-insulated cables.

Cable Testing Capabilities

For a list of cable tests, including qualification, acceptance, field tests an failure analysis performed by Kinectrics, see Kinectrics Cable Testing Capabilities

For more information, contact

Sam Peralta, 416.207.6000 x5931 samuel.peralta@kinectrics.com

John Page, 416.207.6000 x6492, john.page@kinectrics.com