2016 International Conference on Electrical Engineering and Automation (ICEEA 2016)

ISBN: 978-1-60595-407-3

Application and Analysis on Frequency Conversion Series Resonance

Technology in 220kV Cable Withstand Voltage Testing

Yan-hong LIU, Cheng CHEN and Ming-hua YU

State Grid Electric Power Research Institute Wuhan NARI Limited Liability Company,
Wuhan430074, China

Keywords: 220kV cable, Resonant frequency, Series resonance, AC voltage.

Abstract. AC withstand voltage test is the most severe, the most direct and the most effective test
method of judging the XLPE Power Cable insulation Conditioning, It is of decisive significance in
determining weather the Power Cable is measured up. Traditional test transformer is bulky, it
requires high-capacity of power supply when it is used in AC withstand voltage test of high-capacity
Power Cable. This paper adopted the Frequency Conversion Series Resonance Technology in 220kV
Cable Withstand Voltage test program and accomplished the test successfully, Greatly reduced the
capacity of the power test equipment, it also helps to promote the test quality and the work efficiency,
which proved the feasibility and effectiveness in the long-distance high-voltage XLPE cables grade
AC voltage test with the Frequency Conversion Series Resonance Technology.

Introduction
With the continuous development of China's power industry, more and more how high-voltage,
large-capacity cross-linked polyethylene cable (hereinafter referred to as: XLPE cable) is widely
used, particularly in urban power grids, with XLPE cables replace overhead lines It has become a
trend. The cable is factory tested, from the transport, storage, construction, installation accessory,
during which it is possible to produce mechanical damage, or flawed installation workmanship [1],
Therefore, the completion of the field voltage cable lines acceptance test before operation is
necessary.
Practice has proved that AC voltage test can directly reflect the insulation condition of the cable,
the cable insulation strength of the most direct and most effective test methods for identification.
Cross-linking cables and accessories for AC voltage withstand test, which can effectively prevent the
occurrence of loss fault put into operation to ensure reliable XLPE cables commissioning and safe
operation [2]. This article series resonant frequency technology field AC voltage withstand test of a
long cable of 220kV Board discussed in detail. The PUC will 220kV high-voltage ground
engineering four back high voltage cable lines for transformation, cable segment circuit single-phase
total length of 7.97km, for so long 220kV cable AC voltage test site in the country are rare. The test
has an important reference value.

Pressure Test Methods

DC voltage test method for the detection of oil impregnated paper insulated power cables internal
defects is very effective, but can not effectively detect cross-linked cable insulation defects, but also,
for XLPE cable DC voltage test, because of its inherent field strength high, high DC voltage is
applied need even seriously damage the cable before being detected. To this end, cross-linking cable
should be completed test DC voltage test, AC voltage test method should be used.
At present, domestic and foreign exchange pressure method for XLPE cables are mainly frequency
resonance method, three kinds of ultra-low frequency (VLF, 0.1Hz) method and frequency resonance
method [3].
Series Resonant Frequency Voltage withstand Test Method
Resonant frequency pressure test method is through an adjustable series inductance and capacitance
of the cable forms a series resonance, resonate in the high voltage cable, cable insulation pressure test
method. Series resonant frequency voltage test equipment requirements weight of large, poor
mobility, inductance and capacitance matching difficult, suitable for laboratory applications, do not
fit in the high-voltage, large capacity, long-distance cross-linked cable field trials.
0.1Hz Ultra-low Frequency Voltage Test Method
0.1Hz ultra-low frequency voltage test method can greatly reduce the capacity of the test equipment,
in theory, equipment capacity can be reduced to 500 times, but the actual due to structural reasons, the
capacity can be reduced several times. This allows the voltage test equipment significantly reduced
size and weight, suitable for field pressure test. However, the ultra-low frequency voltage test
equipment 0.1Hz maximum output voltage of only 70 ~ 80kV (peak), only to meet the requirements
of 35kV and below the voltage XLPE cable, does not meet the test requirements.
Series Resonant Frequency Test Method
Series resonant frequency test method and the principle of the resonant frequency voltage withstand
test method are basically the same, and are based on the cable series resonant voltage test method,
except that: series resonant frequency voltage test is held at 50Hz frequency, through adjusting
inductance of the reactors to the test circuit resonance, and frequency series resonant test method is to
use a fixed reactor and the sample composed of high voltage series resonant primary circuit, by
adjusting the power inverter output frequency of the voltage to the test circuit resonance occurs, then
adjust the voltage regulator so that the cable under test to reach the pressure value, to meet the
high-voltage XLPE cable voltage test requirements. And with respect to the series resonant frequency
voltage test equipment, light weight tuning, high quality factor, removable performance advantages,
only a suitable reactor equipped with a fixed inductance value can be achieved in various lengths
(10m ~ 10km) cable The AC voltage test. Meanwhile, CIGRE (CIGRE) 21-09 Working Group 1997
annual report stated: 30 ~ 300Hz ac voltage and power frequency voltage withstand test of
equivalence good as high-voltage XLPE cables than the pressure test Other methods effective [4].

Site XLPE Cable Voltage Test Program

The test sample for the 220kV cable, model ZC-YJLW02-Z 127 / 220kV-1 × 2500mm2, capacitance
per unit length of about 0.235uF / km, single-phase cable length of 7.97 km, 15 groups each line
connector, single with each cable lengths ranging from 520 ~ 530m. Thus, the scene taking power
frequency withstand voltage, large capacity required test equipment, field conditions are difficult to
meet. Meanwhile, in the current international for the AC voltage XLPE cable no uniform standards,
similar to the test for large capacitance cable test, pressure test recommended using series resonant
frequency method. Recommended according to standard [5], You can use basic voltage waveform
sinusoidal alternating between 20 ~ 300Hz, the test voltage is 1.7 times the rated phase voltage
(220kV×√3×1.7=216kV), Time required to withstand continuous 60min.
Field test series resonant frequency mode using the cables AC voltage, variable frequency resonant
test equipment related parameters is: RSE400 Germany Hayward test system (system assembly
excitation transformer and reactor), the system is rated at 21580 kVA, rated voltage of 260kV,
minimum voltage 26kV, rated current 83A, frequency adjustment range 20 ~ 300Hz, system
inductance 16.2H.
Cable Parameters Accounting System Can Meet the Test Apparatus According To Claim
Test inductor current estimation: The single-phase 220kV cable length 7.97 km, the field test voltage
216kV, test time 60min. Cable capacity 0.235uF / km, single-phase cable total capacity 1.873 uF.
30Hz when inductance reactor L'30 = 1 / ω2C = 14.8H <16.2H; test current I30 = UωC = 76.45A
<83A. Inductance and current test requirements are met.
 Estimation Test Frequency Power Capacity: Considering the cable is a high quality capacitive load,
Q value (quality factor) is higher, so the average Q value is 80, calculated: 216 × 103 × 76.45 / 80 =
206.4kW. According to estimates, the frequency test equipment output capacity to meet the
requirements of the test article cable [6].
Test Plan and Implementation
Test program shown in Figure 1, the reactor inductance L = 16.2H; C1, C2 is dividing capacitors; Cx
were tested cable; Tr as excitation transformer, the reactor directly with the test series resonance.
Because of the partial pressure of the capacitor capacitance with respect to the test cable capacitance
is negligible, when the main loop frequency series resonance f = 1 / 2π√LCx = 28.9HZ. Where, L =
16.2H, Cx = 1.873 u F. In this case the test circuit primary current I = UωCx = 76A.

Figure 1. 220kVXLPE cable AC voltage test scheme schematic.

Test security measures: field test before taking the test terminal area safety measures to prevent
staff being diverted to other test sites; in the security zone and set up a cordon put up warning badges,
assign someone to tour outside the warning area. Test in the tunnel or on the Terminal Tower, also
assign someone to care; replacement test leads when the field test to confirm power and ground to
carry out demolition work, while prohibiting the demolition will throw measuring line; test phase in
progress, another cable two-phase ground, assign someone to care.
Test program implementation: System excitation transformer output current and gear selection
according to this test uses a 315 kVA transformer station as a test power. In four back line in a return
Phase A CASE STUDY: A first measuring phase high-voltage lead-to-ground insulation resistance,
without exception, the A-phase high-voltage lead and reactors connected. On the power, the power
inverter output frequency at 29Hz regulation, when measurements show that the maximum voltage,
then the test circuit reaches resonance point; adjust frequency power supply output voltage to 216kV,
continues after 60min, the voltage drops to zero, disconnect the power and discharge end of the trial.

XLPE Cable Voltage Test Data and Results

Completion according to the cable test standard requirements and validated test methods and content
[7]. Test data results (see Table 1, Figure 2-5) indicates that the PUC 220kV line 1, 3, 4 are in line
with the standard requirements, there is no obvious partial discharge, but the 220kV line 2 of A / B / C
three-phase, respectively in the voltage is raised 186.6 kV, 169.4 kV, 137.9 kV flashover occurs,
indicating that the line does not meet the standards.

Figure 2. 220kV line1 pressure graph. Figure 3. Line2 220kV line2 pressure graph.
 Figure 4. 220kV line3 pressure graph. Figure 5. Line2 220kV line4 pressure graph.

Table 1. The main insulation resonant frequency voltage withstand test data sheets.

Temper
Line Humidity Insulation Dielectric Phase
ature(
Number (℅) resistance(GΩ) strength(216kV/h) sequence
℃)
214.0kV,
A 108 A normal
success
220kV 214.2kV, normal
45 3 B 118 B
line1 success
215.0kV, normal
C 115 C
success
186.6 kV, normal
A 121 A
failure
220kV 169.4 kV, normal
40 7 B 115 B
line2 failure
137.9 kV, normal
C 121 C
failure
211.1kV, normal
A 108 A
success
220kV 211.1kV, normal
40 2 B 128 B
line3 success
211.2kV, normal
C 131 C
success
211.2kV, normal
A 121 A
success
220kV 211.2kV, normal
40 3 B 117 B
line4 success
211.1kV, normal
C 121 C
success

Conclusion
(1)Analysis and comparison of the main Advantages and disadvantages several AC voltage test in
XLPE cable insulation testing aspects, drawn up on the basis of technical tests with a series resonant
frequency mode FIELD TEST optimal results.
(2)Series resonant frequency means smaller power capacity required in the current AC voltage
XLPE cable test, the required power does not exceed the maximum current 150A, very suitable for
use in electric power engineering.
(3)Experimental results show that the new 220kV cable to ensure safe operation, the high-pressure
pressure test before production is necessary and effective, compared with the phase voltage load test
to better reflect the quality of the cable, the test well to avoid commissioning after the loss occurred.
(4)Experiments show that the use of series resonant frequency technology to 220 kV XLPE cable
for live AC voltage test is feasible, effective, and can avoid the adverse effects of the problem caused
by the DC voltage to the cable and DC voltage test of the effectiveness of detection, Moreover, the
frequency resonance test method in power system voltage test will be fully applied.
Acknowledgement
This research was financially supported by the State Grid Corporation of science and technology
projects (WNZ141-0013: Research on the Key Technology of Power Transmission Simulation Based
on Physical Model and Virtual Reality).

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