The new condition-based maintenance of MV cable lines supported by diagnostic data

The medium voltage (MV)cable network is one of the most important factors in reliable delivery of electricity to the customers. From asset management point of view, there is a need to improve the actual condition of cable network components. Diagnostic measurement technologies available to the cables in service can be an important source of knowledge to improve actual cable management. Nearly 20 years of experience in the use of diagnostics and additional research work allowed to create measurable criteria for the evaluation of cable sections, joints and terminations (Health Index - HI). The Health Index was implemented to the IT system based on the GIS (Geographic Information System) platform. The new MV cable network management system (SORAL) was developed. Diagnostic data, technical information about cable network from GIS and failure data are aggregated in this system. A 5-level scale including a ranking of the cable sections, joints and terminations according to the normalized rating values (HI) is created. The paper focuses on practical experiences from the implementation of the SORAL system in DSO.