Testing of Electrical Power Cable

By G Fox, Editor, The Electricity Forum

TYPE TESTS, ACCEPTANCE TEST, ROUTINE TESTS

The following tests are type test of wires used as conductors in electrical power cables.

Persulphate test (for copper):

Since the tinning process of copper can possibly produce pin holes on the copper, this test is done on tinned copper wire to determine the exposed copper. Typically a sample is taken and subjected to the persulfate solution; its conclusions should meet or not meet the required specifications (IS 10810, part 4 – 1984)

Annealing test (for copper):

During construction/installation procedures, the conductor cables are subjected to twisting and bending. This test is carried out on a sample of the conductor cable prior to installation and subjected to a tensile test which will elongate the sample. The observations should meet or not meet the specified allowed elongation for that particulate gauge.

Tensile test (for Aluminium):

This is a tensile test and is performed on aluminium wires only to verify the strength of the aluminium wire sample. The diameter of the sample and the breaking load of the sample is recorded, the tension strength is calculated and verified against the required specifications.

Wrapping test (for Aluminium):

During the manufacturing and installation process the wire is subjected to torsion caused by axial twisting resulting on possible breakage. This is a test performed on a sample of aluminium wire to determine its ductility; the properties of how easily the material can be twisted and wrapped without breaking. This repeated procedure calls for wrapping the sample around diameter 8-6 turns, unwrap and inspect for breakage. If the sample wire does not break it is deemed as ductile.

Conductor resistance test (for all):

This test is performed to determine the direct current resistance of the wire and concludes how easily the current will flow through the wire. The accuracy of the specimen will be compared to either the Kelvin Double Bridge or the Wheatstone Bridge. A test sample is selected and connected to a measuring bridge, resistance and temperature is recorded. The results based on a calculation of observed resistance, particular temperature, sample length.

Test for thickness of insulation (for all):

There are many voltage stresses and mechanical stresses place on power cable wires, this measurement test confirms the thickness of the wires insulation per wire gauge. The samples insulating sheathing is cut in several place along the sample. The inside diameter and outside diameter of the insulation sheathing is measured and compared to a thickness calculation.

Measurement of overall diameter (where specified)(for all) Physical tests for insulation and sheath: