|
The reliability of a transmission and distribution
system can be significantly improved by employing a predictive
maintenance program. For such a program to succeed, the
condition of the total system must first be established. This has
been accomplished by applying a totally passive diagnostic
technique that analyzes radio frequency (RF) pulses emitted by a
cable system while it is energized. Analysis of this
information is employed to estimate future performance of the
cables, splices, terminations and other electrical equipment
connected to the circuit.
The CableWISE® Diagnostic Tool was utilized by Arizona Public Service on
their transmission and distribution system. APS concluded that
this method enabled a logical and cost-effective approach to be
applied to their cable system replacement program.
Read more about this story.
An exclusive electrical cable testing process has recently proven itself following a high-profile failure of cables powering Mackinac Island. CableWISE technicians assisted Edison Sault Electric by testing underwater and land portions of the cables to ensure that electrical faults, like the ones that caused the cables to fail initially, would not be likely to recur.
The CableWISE testing system uses an innovative partial-discharge method to test inaccessible transmission and distribution cables while the cables are operating.
This avoids the usual practice of shutting down cables and inconveniencing customers to test cables for potential problems, according to Dr. Nagu N. Srinivas, VP of the CableWISE Group.
"Not only did we use our technology to test the repaired cables while the cables were in operation, but we also helped Edison Sault Electric design replacement circuits for land portions of the cables and performed the actual cable splices necessary to put the system back together," Dr. Srinivas said.
"With assistance from our expert crew, the Edison Sault Electric team completed the design and construction of the system in a much shorter time than what it would take normally to do such a big project."
|
"All of us at Edison Sault are extremely grateful for the assistance that DTE Energy Technologies extended to us during our crisis."
Ernest Maas, Vice President of Engineering and Operations for Edison Sault
|
NASA and the Air Force had been experiencing intermittent concerns with its electrical
distribution system at KSC/CCAFS, which powers everything from spacecraft launch control
systems to launch pad lighting. Experts in CableWISE Technology spent 10 days at the
launch site in late March to test the electrical system as launch preparations continued.
|
"We have had flawless launches as a result. The CableWISE services identified faulty switches and cable sections so we could take appropriate action to make sure that the launch program went smoothly"
Lawrence W. Salberg, P.E., Principal Engineer for Space Gateway Support Design Engineering
|
|
|
