CABLE FAULTS

Cable fault refers to something that occurs and current cant flow smoothly. It is due to an open circuit or short circuit causing the current flow to be of a high value. Most faults are caused by dampness in the paper insulation of the cable due to porous or otherwise damaged lead sheath. The causes of damage to the lead sheath are: crystallization of the lead through vibration; chemical action on the lead when buried in the earth and insufficiently protected; mechanical damage.

CABLE FAULTS
In summary, what makes insulation go bad include: mechanical damage Vibration Excessive heat or cold Dirt Oil corrosive vapors Moisture or humidity. These enemies of insulation are at work as time goes on combined with the electrical stresses that exist. As pin holes or cracks develop, moisture and foreign matter penetrate the surfaces of the insulation, providing a low resistance path for leakage current.

CABLE FAULTS
Once started, the different enemies tend to aid each other, permitting excessive current through the insulation. Sometimes the drop in insulation resistance is sudden, as when equipment is flooded. Usually, however, it drops gradually, giving plenty of warning, if checked periodically. Such checks permit planned reconditioning before service failure. If there are no checks, a motor with poor insulation, for example, will become dangerous to touch when voltage is applied, subject to burn out. What was good insulation has become a partial conductor.

CABLE FAULTS
Equipment to determine cable fault is ohmmeter. Beside that, a few test can be done to determine cable faults such as: 1. Continuity Test 2. Insulation Resistance Test

TYPES OF CABLE FAULTS

The faults which are most likely to occur in the cables are: Ground or Earth Faults (Break-down of cable insulation) When the insulation of the cable gets damaged, the current starts flowing from core to earth or to cable sheath. Short Circuit Faults When the insulation between two cables or between two cores of a multicore cable gets damaged, the current starts flowing from one cable to another cable or from one core to another core of a multicore cable directly (without passing through load)

TYPES OF CABLE FAULTS

Open Circuit Faults When the conductor of a cable is broken or joint is pulled out and there is no current in the cable.

PROCEDURE TO FIND CABLE FAULT

1. Testing (Analysis of fault) a. Continuity Test open circuit faults b. Insulation Test short circuit faults 2. Locating cable fault from terminal cables. To find length of faults from testing station. 3. Confirmation fault point. To find actual location faults. 4. Repair the fault

CABLE FAULTS TEST

Continuity Test Continuity test is the checking for open circuit of cable faults. Usually, this test uses a bell and battery or multimeter. This test is divided into two types: 1. Short alignment 2. Long alignment

CABLE FAULTS TEST

Short alignment

Short alignment for Continuity Test

Uses a bell and battery. This test is used for conduit types. For testing CC1 cables, a connection is made between C and C1 through a bell and battery. If a bell rings, the cable is in continues condition, and the cable is marked with C1 If the bell is not ringing, the cable is not in continues condition. For A and B cables, the same method is used to test the cable condition.

Long Alignment

CABLE FAULTS TEST

Long alignment for Continuity Test The method is suitable to use for long cable. For cable A, B and C, choose a pair of cable, for example cable A and B will be connected with tester while the end of the same cable with short circuited. If the test shows an open circuit, the end of the cable will be changed with another pair and the circuit tested again. If a low reading is detected, the cables are label with A1 or B1. Then, connect one of the cables with another cable eg cable A and B, and test with the same method.