Transient measurements using cable elbow connectors

Underground residential distribution (URD) power cables are aged due to electrical, thermal, mechanical stresses and environmental stress during their service. For utilities, the online diagnostics of the dielectric conditions of the cables are of much interest. One of the cable online diagnostic methods is based on analysis of the voltage transients in URD. The cable elbow connectors are manufactured with capacitive voltage test points to indicate the power frequency voltage on the cable conductor. A voltage transient measurement system based on signal processing using the cable elbow connectors will be presented in the paper. Using this technique, less expensive cable elbow connectors can be calibrated and installed widespread in underground residential distribution power cables.