On-site partial discharge measurements on premoulded cross-bonding joints of 170 kV XLPE and EPR cables

A total number of 15 premoulded joints of three 170 kV cable circuits (XLPE and EPR) were equipped with partial discharge (PD) sensors. The developed sensors are based on inductive high frequency coupling of partial discharge pulses occurring in the joints. The PD activity of each joint was monitored during an after laying AC acceptance test. The test voltage of 190 kV was generated by means of a frequency-tuned series-resonance test set. The signals of the PD sensors were assessed with a spectrum analyser in a frequency range from 15 to 50 MHz, allowing a good separation of noise from PD signals under high interference levels. The investigation demonstrated the feasibility of on-site PD measurements on joints during after laying tests.