Distributed Condition Monitoring of Power Cables – a Brief Update

HENRIK HOFF, AP SENSING GMBH

ABSTRACT

Distributed temperature sensing (DTS) is an established and widely accepted method to monitor the
condition of HV and EHV power cables. Thanks to the technology progress, distributed fiber optic sensing
has developed further. Enhanced not only in performance and features but also in new techniques that
allows measurement of acoustic signals, enabling a spatial distributed hearing into the cable and
surroundings. This paper offers a brief overview about the status of DTS, Dynamic Current Rating (DCR
or RTTR) and the new distributed acoustic sensing technology (DAS). Details of the world’s first combined
DTS/DAS installation is presented at the end of this paper.

INTRODUCTION

Temperature is the most critical physical parameter limiting the operation of XLPE/oil filled power cables.
Consequently, temperature monitoring of HV / EHV underground power cables is widely used these days,
improving the safe operation of power circuits. Abnormal hot spots can be detected, showing serious
problems with e.g. joints or indicating critical obstructions caused by environmental or infrastructural
conditions (back fill dry-out, district heat pipes etc.). (Figure1)

Furthermore, temperature monitoring of power cables allows the dynamic on-line rating computing the
ampacity of the power circuit based on the actual operating and environmental conditions. Dynamic cable
rating often leads to higher ampacities compared to the conservative design ratings that enables the
intentional operation of power circuits at higher loads. (Figure 3) [1].

Methods to calculate ratings are widely accepted and have been used for decades to design power
cables. The accuracy has been approved sufficiently under controlled conditions, demonstrating the
usefulness of dynamic cable ratings to increase the load of power circuits. [2]

A B
C

345 kV composite cable with three unexpected hot spots caused by crossing power
cables
Figure 1

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Distributed Sensing Technologies (Temperature)

Distributed Temperature Sensing systems are well established to monitor the temperatures of power
cables. Advantages over conventional sensing methods are the immunity against the electromagnetic field
caused by the power cable and the simple measurement over thousands of meters without additional wiring
or data transmission, providing an accurate picture of the temperature distribution of the power circuit.

Most commercially available DTS systems are based on Raman-DTS, which utilizes the OTDR (Optical
Time Domain Reflectometry) method. Light pulses are coupled into the fibre of the sensing cable. The
backscattered light contains information about the temperature of the optical waveguide and thus the
surroundings. The backscatter spectrum consists of the so-called RAMAN Stokes and Anti-Stokes lines,
which are shifted to the lower (Stokes) or higher wavelength (Anti-Stokes) due to an inelastic collision of
photons with atoms that form a temperature-dependent electromagnetic oscillator. While the intensity of
the Stokes line is nearly independent of the temperature, the Anti-Stokes line shows a temperature
dependence (Fig. 3). The quotient of both intensities constitutes an obvious measure of temperature in the
optical waveguide. Measuring the backscattered signals as a function of time together with the information
of the speed of the light, one can calculate the distance and thus a temperature profile along the optical
fibre (radar principle) [3]. Several advances have been made to improve the S/N ratio of DTS systems as
the RAMAN signals are measured in pico-watts. The most promising is the code-correlation concept,
improving the S/N ratio by ten times compared to conventional OTDR/OFDR measurement concepts, which
results in longer measurement range and better spatial and temperature resolution [4]. Table 1 shows the
details of the actual achievable performance.

Table 1
Typical Performance of a RAMAN DTS

RAMAN
Unit
DTS
Range km 50+
spatial resolution m 1
temperature resolution °C 1

Brillouin DTS is another principle to utilize an optical fibre as a distributed sensor (Figure 3). Here a light-
pulse travels through the fibre and backscattering is caused by the lattice vibration of the quartz glass. Also,
here an OTDR procedure allows the detection of signals as a function of the distance, resulting in a
measurement profile along the fibre. As the lattice vibration is a function of the temperature and elasticity
of the fibre the Brillouin DTS measures fibre temperature and strain at once. Issues have been reported
about calibration and artificial cold/hot spots questioning reliable temperature measurements as BOTDR
technology suffers from strain-cross talk [5].

The main objective of using a DTS system is to improve the safe operation of the cable circuit by measuring
temperatures. This is an effective method to indicate overheating caused by internal and external factors.
This can be:

- Overloading of cables, defective assets i.e. joints.

- Crossing power cable or pipelines
- Critical laying conditions or insufficient heat transfer
- Infrastructural changes that have an influence on the heat transfer i.e. new road /building
- Meteorological conditions

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Distributed Sensing Technologies (Acoustic)

A rather new technology of fibre optic sensing employs the Rayleigh backscattering (Figure 3) to measure
the acoustic information. A very coherent laser source sends a laser pulse through the optical fibre. Light
is scattered at density fluctuations. Distance (optical path length) between these scattering centres varies
with sound waves penetrating the fibre. Thus, the measured interferometric backscattering signal varies
synchronously. A conventional OTDR procedure enables the measurement of the backscatter signal as a
function of the distance. The concept described above is known as Coherent Optical Time Domain
Reflectometry, or C-OTDR. Another rather unknown technology combines a Mach-Zehnder and
Michaelson Interferometer to detect critical acoustic events along the fibre (Hybrid Interferometer). One
difference to DTS technology: well-developed software algorithms are key for the automatic detection of
critical acoustic events and hence DAS/DVS systems are prone to nuisance alarms particularly in noisy
environments. Table 2 shows typical performance values for DAS systems.

Acoustic information can be very useful to ensure a safe operation of the circuit, as well as provide vital
information in case of a power cable breakdown, which helps to reduce down-times significantly. DAS
technology contributes to:

- Hazard prevention/detection (buried cable): Preventive detection and localization of third party
intrusion (TPI) i.e. manual / machinery digging, drilling, breaking.
- Hazard prevention/detection (sea/export cable): Anchor drop, fishing activities, cargo/container
loss, dredging, seismic activities and ice scour.
- Fault Location: Detection and localization of cable faults

Optical spectrum of backscattered lines used by distributed sensing technologies

Figure 3

Table 2
Typical Performance of a C-OTDR DAS

Unit DAS (COTDR)

Range km 50
Spatial resolution m 10
Bandwidth kHz 1

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Dynamic Cable Rating (DCR or RTTR)

Following the recommendations of the IEEE (IEEE 1718-2012) the conductor temperature of
underground power cables should be known, with reasonable accuracy, at any moment in order to
calculate the projected maximum current-carrying capacity, given by the operating and ambient
conditions [2]. As a direct measurement is impractical a calculation of the conductor temperature by using
the DTS measurement data is required. Underground power cables are usually rated with conservative
assumptions about the environmental and installations conditions to avoid the exceeding of normal cable
temperatures during the operation cycle. Established methods for rating are based on the IEC 60287 and
IEC 60853. By using the same thermal model and – additionally - measurement of the actual cable
temperature, ambient temperature and the actual load, the actual conductor temperature and the
resulting maximum permissible load (ampacity) is calculated. The accurate modeling of laying conditions
is essential for a precise rating of power cables. Tests made under controlled conditions shows a rating
accuracy of about 95%. [6]

There are two main objectives where DCR/RTTR can contribute significantly to a safe and efficient
operation:

- Computing rating data in real-time to ensure an optimized load scheme and to indicate
overloading of the cable system.
- Calculation of the capacity limits of the cable system in transient (emergency) situations.
- Computing of load schemes for different operating scenarios.
- Identifying dry-outs and changes in burial depth (sea/export cables)

220 kV power cable running 12 % above the rating. Conductor temperature remains
below 50°C.
Figure 2

Optical Fiber Cable

Common optical fibers (multimode or singlemode) are used as a temperature sensor that can be
integrated into the power cable or a fiber optic cable (FOC), either externally attached or installed in a
separate duct close to the power cable. Table 3 gives an overview about the advantages and
disadvantages of different locations. The most accurate location for dynamic cable rating is achieved by
integrating the optical fiber into the screen of the power cable. Even though -due to practical reasons- the
optical fiber sensor cable is often attached to the outside of the power cable.

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 Table 3
Advantages/Disadvantages of different sensor cable locations

Advantages Disadvantages

Integrated into the power cable

Provides a better indication of the conductor core Manufacture and installation of power cable is more
temperature (closer to the core) complex
More responsive to current loading Optical splicing at cable joints is more complicated
More fiber splices are needed (determined by power
Fiber is protected by the power cable
cable drum length) – higher losses
Particularly suited where cable pulled into ducts

Externally attached to the outside of the power cable

Fiber cable can be run in long lengths (e.g., up to Less responsive to load changes than integrated
5km) without splicing – lower losses design
If installed in a tube, fibers can be blown out and
Less representative of conductor temperature
new ones blown in, should a fiber failure occur
Can be easily attached to a conventional cable in an
Increases installation work
open trench (before backfilling)
Can be easily attached to a power cable in a tunnel,
Not suitable for pulling through long ducts
or to the roof or floor of a tunnel
In a separate duct or close to the power cable
Relatively easy to install or may already exist Least responsive method to load changes
Least representative of conductor temperature –
Fiber cable can sometimes be retrofitted
remote from conductor
Can be run in long lengths (e.g., up to 5km) without
splicing
Can use spare fibers in an already installed telecoms
cable

Different sensor fiber location – internal and external

Figure 4
Distributed Condition Monitoring in Practice
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The drive for renewable energy causes a significant growth in the construction of offshore windfarms. Due
to the high cost of repairing subsea cables and the onerous installation and operating conditions,
monitoring of the cable can be used as an effective asset management tool. By having a reliable and
continuous asset condition monitoring system, preventative maintenance and condition based
maintenance can deliver large savings. Inter-array and export cables are usually the critical assets in
terms of availability and redundancy. Therefore, cable faults can cause significant damage to operators
and contractors. A malfunction of a single export cable can bring the entire windfarm to a stop, leading to
losses of millions of dollars. For the first time a condition monitoring consisting of temperature and
acoustic sensing has been employed on the export cable of an offshore windfarm.

Horns Rev3, 26 km offshore from the Danish west coast, consists of 49 wind turbines with a capacity of
407 MW and covers the annual power consumption of 425000 Danish households. The 220kV export
cable connecting the OSS with the grid is split into two parts. A 36 km 3-phase subsea cable with an
integrated FO cable forms the part up to the landing point in Blaberg and contains mainly the offshore
section and land fall. Three 46km single phase land cables connect Blaberg with the SS in Endrup. The
middle phase is equipped with an external FO cable. Two DTS and three DAS systems are used to
monitor the 82km power connection.

Detecting and localizing cable faults / defects is the primary objective of the installed monitoring system.
Early detection of defects that cause spots of overheating, as well as localization of faults causing a
power breakdown, enable preventive measures and a quick repair that dramatically reduces costly down-
times. Figure 5 to Figure 7 show some traces recorded during testing of the export cable.

Temperature trace of the cable land section. Cold spots represent joints. Jacket
temperature is 5-7°C above ambient.
Figure 5

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 Acoustic energy response graph (water fall) of the subsea section. Diagram shows
moving cars and waves.
Figure 6

Hum of a test signal 230kV, 350 A, 32 Hz. Base oscillation and harmonics.
Figure 7

CONCLUSION

Distributed fiber optic sensing is a well-established method to monitor the condition of HV and EHV power
cables. Temperature is a critical system parameter that limits the capacity (ampacity) of power transmission
circuits. Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) together with DCR (Dynamic Cable Rating) demonstrate
the capability to identify transmission constrictions and to unleash hidden capacities by controlled utilizing
safety margins. Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) is a new and promising fiber optic sensing technology
with a high potential to localize cable faults and detect possible hazards like construction work, anchor drop
or ground fishing.

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REFERENCES

[1] Schmale, Puffer, Glombitza, Hoff “Online Ampacity Determination of a 220-kV Cable Using an Optical
Fibre Based Monitoring System” , Proceedings Jicable 2011

[2] IEEE 1718-2012 “Guide for Temperature Monitoring of Power Cables”

[3] Dakin, J.P.; Pratt, D.J et.al., Electronic Letters, Issue 13, June 20th 1985

[4] M. A. Sotoa et.al., High performance and highly reliable Raman-based distributed temperature
sensors based on correlation-coded OTDR and multimode graded-index fibers,
Proc. of SPIE Vol. 6619 66193B-1

[5] P. Lehmans et.al. Belgian experience with real time thermal rating system in combination with
distributed temperature sensing techniques, Proceedings Jicable 2015

[6] A.Farahani et.al. A new approach for estimation of the dynamic thermal rating model parameters
based on the IEC standard, Proceedings Jicable 2015

BIOGRAPHY

Henrik Hoff studied physical chemistry at the University of Bonn, Germany. After his PhD thesis about
new chemical sensors based on fibre optics he worked for more than ten years in the field of distributed
temperature sensing (DTS) with focus on temperature measurement of High-Voltage power cables and
dynamic cable rating. He used to work for a well-respected power cable manufacturer in Germany before
he joined AP Sensing in 2008. Henrik Hoff is responsible for the business and market development of the
company in various business segments including the power market.

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