The underground installation of cables is crucial for urban modernization. As the number of cable lines and their service life increase, cable faults also rise. Issues can occur in the cable itself, cable accessories, and associated equipment. Based on years of maintenance experience, the main fault areas in cables are insulation, accessories, and outer sheath.
Aging: Occurs after 15+ years, leading to increased fault rates. Causes include electrical stress, overheating, and moisture, which degrade insulation strength.
Overheating: Accelerates aging, often due to overloading and poor ventilation. Results in insulation carbonization and reduced strength.
Causes: Improper cable selection, exposure to heat sources, adverse chemical environments, poor contact in parallel cables, and inadequate connection quality.
Joints and Terminals: Assembled on-site and prone to errors, leading to discharge and material aging.
Quality: Poor quality joints, improper sealing, inadequate crimping, and incorrect installation dimensions can cause insulation damage and overheating.
Grounding: Unreliable grounding of metal shields can lead to high induced voltages and insulation failure.
Physical Damage: From sharp objects or external forces, especially in direct burial applications.
Construction Defects: Cracks and other issues during installation.
Termite Damage: Less common but possible in certain regions.
Design: Choose appropriate grounding systems and cables that match the voltage levels. The outer sheath should meet environmental and longevity requirements.
Path Selection: Avoid external impacts like heat and physical damage. Ensure proper distribution to prevent overheating.
Quality Control: Maintain high standards for cable and accessory selection, manufacturing, and delivery inspection. Keep thorough records and conduct multi-party inspections.
Training: Provide thorough training for personnel involved in cable head production. Implement strict qualification standards.
Inspection and Acceptance: Conduct rigorous inspections and address defects promptly.
Monitoring: Use advanced online monitoring technologies to detect early faults and prevent power outages.