Let There Be Spikes!
Eland Cables have recently carried out a detailed quality assessment of its medium voltage cable, referred to as a ‘Spike Test’. Eland Cables believes in the importance of committing time and energy in working with their customers to complete rigorous testing in order to comply with stringent International testing standards. This assessment is part of an on-going focus placed on quality and testing; since 2001 they have built up a strong reputation and are proud to be contributing towards the safety and efficiency of rail networks across the UK.
The ‘Spike Test’ simulates the accidental “spiking” of a live cable installation and thus enables observation of cable performance in a hypothetical situation. The test was designed to prove that the copper wire screening could withstand a full specified fault current for a period of no less than 3 seconds, until the primary protection activates. The test was performed at the independent CESI facility in Milan.
The 33kV medium voltage cable tested is used for power distribution on the electrification of the railway network. Prior to the test the cable underwent a thorough preparation process, during which the Semi-Conducting layer was verified as “Banana Strippable”, serving to highlight the superior quality of materials used in the cable construction. When the cable was fully prepared and the connections made, a ‘spike’, within the prescribed size range of 4 – 6 millimetres in diameter, was driven into the centre of the cable sample to ensure contact with both the copper wire screen and the phase conductor. Despite the expected damage, the cable was able to sustain a fault current, of 3 Kilo Amps, from phase to earth for more than 3 seconds. Although the observation team were approximately 150 feet away, the visual spectacle clearly demonstrated the potential danger that could arise in a real life situation. Further tests were carried out at 4.5 Kilo Amps and 6 Kilo Amps to investigate the limitations of the cable design. Impressively, all samples also passed at these high levels of fault current.
The ’Spike Test’ is extremely valuable in ensuring the capability of the screen, thus ensuring protection of equipment and prevention of further damage. Eland Cables is committed to continuing to push boundaries and raise standards in quality and safety in the many and varied applications their cables are used in.
You can observe a video documenting the process of a Spike test on Eland’s website at http://www.eland.co.uk/cable-genius.
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