EEX 107.07 Fundamentals of Cable Fault Localization

Engineering Encyclopedia
Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards
FUNDAMENTALS OF
CABLE FAULT LOCALIZATION
Note: The source of the technical material in this volume is the Professional
Engineering Development Program (PEDP) of Engineering Services.
Warning: The material contained in this document was developed for Saudi
Aramco and is intended for the exclusive use of Saudi Aramco’s employees.
Any material contained in this document which is not already in the public
domain may not be copied, reproduced, sold, given, or disclosed to third
parties, or otherwise used in whole, or in part, without the written permission
of the Vice President, Engineering Services, Saudi Aramco.
Chapter : Electrical For additional information on this subject, contact

File Reference: EEX-107.07 PEDD Coordinator on 874-6556
Engineering Encyclopedia Electrical Equipment Testing
Fundamentals of Cable Fault Localization
MODULE COMPONENT PAGE
INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................. 3
CABLE THUMPING: EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTIONs, OPERATIONAL
PRINCIPLES, AND BASIC LOCALIZATION TECHNIQUES........................................... 4
Thumper Constructions ........................................................................................ 4
Series-Gap Type........................................................................................ 5
Pulse Type................................................................................................. 6
Acoustical Detector Auxiliary Device.......................................................... 6
Earth-Gradient Detector Auxiliary Device .................................................. 7
Thumper Operational Principles ........................................................................... 8
Generating a High Energy Pulse in a Series-Gap Thumper ...................... 8
Generating a High Energy Pulse in a Pulse-Type Thumper ...................... 9
Basic Localization Techniques ........................................................................... 10
Determination of Correct "Thump" Voltage Level .................................... 10
Sectionalizing........................................................................................... 10
Acoustical Localization............................................................................. 11
Earth-Gradient Localization ..................................................................... 12
TONE TRACING: EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTION, OPERATIONAL
PRINCIPLES, AND BASIC LOCALIZATION TECHNIQUES......................................... 14
Equipment Construction ..................................................................................... 14
Tone Generator ....................................................................................... 14
Signal Tracer ........................................................................................... 15
Equipment Operational Principles ...................................................................... 15
Tone Generator ....................................................................................... 15
Signal Tracer ........................................................................................... 15
Methods ................................................................................................... 16
Minimizing Interference and Crosstalk ..................................................... 17
TIME-DOMAIN REFLECTOMETRY: EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTIONS,
OPERATIONAL PRINCIPLES, AND BASIC LOCALIZATION TECHNIQUES .............. 18
Equipment Constructions ................................................................................... 18
Low-Voltage Type .................................................................................... 18
Arc-Reflection Types................................................................................ 19
Equipment Operational Principles ...................................................................... 20
Transmission of Pulses............................................................................ 20
Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards i

Detection of Reflected Pulses.................................................................. 20

Short-Circuit Cable Faults........................................................................ 21
Open-Circuit Cable Faults........................................................................ 21
Steps in Localization ................................................................................ 21
Sectionalizing........................................................................................... 24
GLOSSARY .................................................................................................................. 26
ADDENDUM ................................................................................................................. 27
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. Illustration of a Cable Thumper ........................................................................ 5
Figure 2. Acoustical Detector .......................................................................................... 6
Figure 3. Earth-Gradient Detector ................................................................................... 7
Figure 4. Schematic Diagrams of Thumpers ................................................................... 8
Figure 5. Fault Localization Through the Use of an Acoustical Detector ....................... 11
Figure 6. Fault Localization Through the Use of an Earth-Gradient Detector................ 13
Figure 7. Constructions of a Tone Generator and a Signal Tracer................................ 14
Figure 8. Low-Voltage Time-Domain Reflectometer...................................................... 19
Figure 9. Arrangement of an Arc-Reflection Time-Domain Reflectometer .................... 20
Figure 10. Oscilloscope Traces for Faulted Cables....................................................... 22
Figure 11. Comparison of Arc-Reflection Traces .......................................................... 25
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. Table of Test Voltages for XLPE or EPR Cables............................................. 10
Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards ii

INTRODUCTION
The subject of this Module is the localization of cable faults. The
constructions of three different types of cable-fault localization
equipment are explained along with their basic operational
principles and the basic techniques of locating faults.
The localization of a cable fault is accomplished by the
technician who operates the cable testing equipment rather than
by an engineer who might analyze recorded test data taken
from field measurements. Because a Saudi Aramco electrical
engineer is expected to be able to supervise technicians who
locate faults, all Saudi Aramco electrical engineers should be
familiar with the basic techniques and equipment that are used
to locate cable faults. This Module is designed to make the
Participant familiar with these basic techniques and equipment.
Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards 3

CABLE THUMPING: EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTIONS, OPERATIONAL

PRINCIPLES, AND BASIC LOCALIZATION
TECHNIQUES
A cable thumper is an electrical test set that generates repetitive

high-voltage high-energy pulses. A cable thumper transmits
these pulses into a power cable in order to cause a fault in the
cable to break down and, consequently, produce an audible
sound and a strong current in the earth surrounding the fault.
The sound reveals the location of the fault. If the sound is not
easily heard at the surface of the earth, an acoustical detector is
used to locate the cable fault. Alternatively, an earth-gradient
detector can be used to locate the fault by sensing the earth
currents that flow near the fault.
Thumper Constructions
There are two basic types of cable thumpers: the series-gap

type and the pulse type. There are two basic types of detectors:
the acoustical detector and the earth-gradient detector. Either
type of detector can be used with either type of thumper. The
constructions of thumpers and detectors are explained in the
next four subject headings.

Series-Gap Type
Figure 1 is an illustration of a series-gap type of cable thumper.

The illustration shows the following:
• A knob-controlled variable transformer. This transformer

controls the magnitude of high-voltage output pulses.
• A kilovoltmeter. This meter indicates the voltage of the
thumper’s built-in impulse capacitor.
• A primary ammeter that indicates the input current.
• A microammeter that indicates the output current.
• A power cord.
• An output test lead.
• Jacks for connecting the battery leads.
• An impulse-control gap handle. This handle adjustments the
dimension of the series gap.
Kilovoltmeter with
Its Range Switch
Output Microammeter
with Megohm Scales Impulse Control Gap
Handle
(Controls
Primary Ammeter
Impulse
Voltage)
Variable Transformer
(Controls Test
Voltage and Impulse
Speed)
Power On/
Off/Discharge
Switch
Battery Leads
Shielded Output Test Lead Power Cord

with Its High Voltage and
Ground Connections
Figure 1. Illustration of a Cable Thumper

Pulse Type
Pulse-type cable thumpers have the same general construction

as series-gap cable thumpers. The important difference in
construction is that a set of additional components allow the rate
that output pulses are generated to be adjusted independently
from the output voltage adjustment.
Acoustical Detector Auxiliary

Device
Figure 2 is an illustration of an acoustical detector, an auxiliary

device that is used with both types of thumpers. An acoustical
detector has two sound transducers that are placed on the
ground above a buried cable. The sound made by the cable
when its insulation breaks down under the stress of the
thumper’s high-voltage pulse causes an upscale deflection of
the detector’s output level meter. A set of headphones can also
be plugged into the detector so that the amplified and filtered
sound of the breakdown can be heard.
Detector
Headphone
Jack Leads
0 25 50 75
10
0
IMPULS
E INDIC
L R ATOR OUTPUT LEV
EL
BIDDLE
Sound Transducers
Figure 2. Acoustical Detector

Earth-Gradient Detector
Auxiliary Device
Figure 3 is an illustration of an earth-gradient detector. This

detector has two spikes that are driven into the earth above a
buried cable. The current that flows through the earth in the
vicinity of a cable when the cable’s insulation breaks down
under the stress of the thumper’s high-voltage pulse causes a
difference in potential between these spikes. When connected
to the spikes, the microammeter of the detector deflects to the
left or to the right according to the direction of the current
flowing from one spike to the other.
Clamps Spikes
Detector
0 10 0 10 20 30 4
30 2 0
40
D.C.MICROAMPERES
Figure 3. Earth-Gradient Detector

Thumper Operational Principles
Generating a High Energy

Pulse in a Series-Gap Thumper
Figure 4a is a simplified schematic diagram of a series-gap

thumper. The thumper’s high-voltage power supply is similar to
the power supply of a DC applied potential test set. This power
supply charges an impulse capacitor. A kilovoltmeter indicates
the magnitude of the impulse capacitor’s voltage. A variable
transformer is used to control the maximum voltage that
charges the impulse capacitor.
Adjustable Dimension Cable Under

Test
Primary
Ammeter
A
120 V AC H.V. DC Series
Input Supply V Gap
A
Variable
Transformer Kilovoltmeter Microammeter
Pulse Capacitor
(a)
Cable Under
Rate Timer Test
Control Circuit
A
120 V AC H.V. DC Contactor
Input Supply V
A
Variable Microammeter
Transformer Kilovoltmeter
Pulse Capacitor
(b)
Figure 4. Schematic Diagrams of Thumpers

Before a test, the series gap is adjusted to a maximum

dimension. The voltage of the capacitor is adjusted to the level
that is appropriate for testing the cable, and the dimension of
the series gap is subsequently adjusted until it flashes over.
This flashover causes a pulse of high voltage to be transmitted
into the cable under test and also discharges the capacitor. A
short interval of time (approximately one to 30 seconds) elapses
before the capacitor charges to a voltage level high enough to
again cause the series gap to flash over. Pulses of high voltage
are repeatedly transmitted into the cable. The interval of time
between pulses can be shortened by adjusting the gap to a
smaller dimension. Making the gap smaller consequently
reduces the peak voltage magnitude of the output pulses.
Generating a High Energy

Pulse in a Pulse-Type Thumper
Figure 4b is a simplified schematic diagram of a pulse-type

thumper. The operational principle of a pulse-type thumper is
the same as that of a series-gap thumper except that the time
interval between pulses is controlled by a high-voltage contactor
and a timing circuit. For a pulse-type thumper, the time interval
between pulses can be adjusted without affecting the voltage
magnitude of the output pulses.

Basic Localization Techniques
Determination of Correct
"Thump" Voltage Level
The initial level of pulse voltage that is used to locate a cable

fault is approximately equal to the cable’s AC voltage rating. If
this level of voltage is not sufficiently high to cause a
breakdown, the pulse voltage is increased. The pulse voltage is
not increased to a level greater than that recommended for
applied potential testing by the AEIC Standard CS5 or CS6
(Table 1). The probability of causing an insulation breakdown in
a portion of the cable that has not already failed increases with
the use of higher pulse voltage. Additionally, the probability of a
failure increases with the number of times a cable is pulsed
when test voltage in excess of the recommended value is used.
Table 1. Table of Test Voltages for XLPE or EPR Cables
Test Voltages for XLPE or EPR Cables
Rated Voltage Insulation 80% Test 65% Test 40% Test
Thickness Voltage Voltage Voltage
5 kV AC 115 mils 36 kV DC 29 kV DC 18 kV DC
Sectionalizing
Before a cable is tested through use of a thumper, any other

cables that are connected to the same circuit must be
disconnected to eliminate the possibility that test pulses will
weaken the insulation of the other cables.

Acoustical Localization
Figure 5 illustrates the basic method of using an acoustical

detector to locate a fault in a buried cable. The pulses
transmitted by the cable thumper cause the damaged insulation
of the cable to break down repeatedly. Each breakdown
produces a sound. This sound can sometimes be heard above
the ground. But for those cases when the sound is not loud
enough to be heard, an acoustical detector is used to locate the
damaged insulation. The acoustical detector is able to
distinguish the relative intensity and time delay between the
arrival of the thump sound at its two pickups. The technician
moves the location of the acoustical pickups until the thump
sound is equal in intensity in the two earpieces of the
headphones. The location of the fault is then directly below and
midway between the pickups.
Headphones The Remote End

Cable Thumper of the Cable
is Disconnected.
Earth Detector
Acoustical
Pickups
Driven Rod
Damage Insulation
Figure 5. Fault Localization Through the Use of an Acoustical Detector

Earth-Gradient Localization
Figure 6 illustrates the basic method of using an earth-gradient

detector to locate a fault in a buried cable. Current flows in
several paths through the earth from the point of the damaged
insulation to the driven rod. These paths are represented by
broken-line curves in Figure 6. These currents produce a
voltage gradient between any two points at the surface of the
earth. The technician locates the fault by placing the spikes of
the earth-gradient detector at different surface locations along a
straight line between the ends of the cable. At successive
locations (1, 2, and 3) the technician reads the deflection of the
detector until he reads a reversal of deflection (location 4). The
technician backtracks until he finds a location (5) where there is
a null deflection. The technician then reads deflections (6, 7,
and 8) along a line that crosses the first line at a right angle. The
location of the fault is at the second null deflection (location 8).
Through the use of this method, the technician does not need to
know the route of the buried cable in order to locate the cable
fault.

Cable Thumper
Negative Positive
Deflection Null Deflection
Driven Rod
Current Damage Insulation

Paths
a) Cross Sectional View from Side
e
s itiv tion
Po flec
De
t
rs
Fi ull
N
4
e
Neefle
tiv ion
D
a
ga ctio
g ct
Neefle
tiv n
e
D 3
e
tiv ion
6
Neefle
5
D
a
g ct
ga ctio
Neefle
tiv n
D 2
e
7
Se Nu
co ll
1
nd
8
Damage Insulation
b) View from Above
Figure 6. Fault Localization Through the Use of an Earth-Gradient Detector

TONE TRACING: EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTION, OPERATIONAL

PRINCIPLES, AND BASIC LOCALIZATION
TECHNIQUES
Equipment Construction
Tone tracing equipment includes a tone generator and a signal

tracer.
Tone Generator
A tone generator, sometimes called a transmitter, is illustrated in

Figure 7. A tone generator is a suitcase-size test set that is
powered by 120 volts. It has controls that adjust the magnitude
of high-voltage DC output and the frequency of its oscillator
output
Connect Tone Generator

to 120 V (Transmitter)
60 Hz
Lineman traversing
unseen buried
cable route.
Signal Tracer Detector
Cable
Compartment
Signal Tracer Probe
Swing probe across cable path. Audio

signal is loudest when probe is directly
above cable.
Connect transmitter output
to faulted cable.
Ground Cord
Fault
Audio Tone Signal
Along Cable Path
Detector Ground Spike Ground Spike
Figure 7. Constructions of a Tone Generator and a Signal Tracer

Signal Tracer
Figure 7 also contains an illustration of a signal tracer. The

signal tracer consists of a hand-held detector and an insulated-
shaft probe. The signal tracer is sensitive to those frequencies
that the tone generator produces, and it filters all other audio-
frequency signals.
Equipment Operational Principles
Tone Generator
The tone generator has a built-in sine-wave oscillator that

injects an audio-frequency current into the core conductor of a
faulted cable. This audio frequency current is driven by a solid-
state amplifier that is typically rated at 2.5 watts of output power.
The output is usually a single frequency, but some models have
more than one selectable frequency. Audio frequencies are in
the range of 10 Hz to 10,000 Hz depending on the specific
model and manufacturer of the tone generator.
The tone generator also has a built-in high-voltage DC source
that can be used to break down a high-resistance shunt fault for
the purpose of providing a low-resistance path for the audio-
frequency current.
Signal Tracer
The signal tracer has an inductive pickup built into its probe.
The output signal of this probe and the sound in the
headphones become stronger as the probe is brought closer to
a cable.

Methods
The basic method of locating a shunt fault is to adjust the high-

voltage DC output of the tone generator to a magnitude that will
make the damaged insulation in the cable flash over. The audio-
frequency current allows the technician to trace the path of the
buried cable. The location of the fault is found by sweeping the
probe over the surface of the earth above the cable and
listening for the characteristic sound of flashover in the
headphones.
The basic method of locating an open-circuit fault is to adjust
the high-voltage DC output to a minimum and adjust the audio-
frequency current to a maximum. The location of the fault is
found by sweeping the probe over the surface of the earth
above the cable and listening for the audio tone.
Maximum Signal - For a shunt fault, the characteristic sound of a
flashover will be loudest in the detector’s headphones when the
probe is oriented directly above the fault.
For an open circuit fault, the audio tone heard in the detector’s
headphones will fade and become inaudible when the
technician sweeps the probe past the location of the open
circuit.
Null Signal - The probe’s inductive pickup has a directional
characteristic such that whenever the probe is oriented in
parallel with a cable that is carrying an audio tone, its output
signal strength will become near zero (null signal). When the
probe is oriented perpendicular to a cable carrying an audio
tone, its output signal will reach a maximum.

Minimizing Interference and

Crosstalk
Electromagnetic interference is produced by any cable that is

energized with normal voltage. In order to minimize interference,
nearby cables should be de-energized to whatever extent is
possible without disrupting electrical service.
The audio-frequency current that is intentionally injected into
one power cable can unintentionally induce an audio-frequency
current in another cable that is buried nearby. This unintentional
induced current, called crosstalk, can mislead the technician
who is tracing the path of a cable. In order to minimize crosstalk,
de-energized cables should be connected to ground on both
ends.

TIME-DOMAIN REFLECTOMETRY: EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTIONS,

OPERATIONAL PRINCIPLES, AND BASIC
LOCALIZATION TECHNIQUES
A time-domain reflectometer, sometimes called a TDR, is used
to measure the distance along the length of a cable to a cable
fault.
Equipment Constructions
Time-domain reflectometers can be classified into two general

types: the low-voltage type and the pulse-type. Low-voltage
time-domain reflectometers are general purpose instruments
that can be used to test communication cables (telephone,
twisted pair, cable television, radio-frequency transmission) or
power cables. Pulse-type time-domain reflectometers are
definite-purpose instruments that are used to test power cables.
Low-Voltage Type
Figure 8 is an illustration of a low-voltage type of time-domain

reflectometer. The front panel has a single-trace oscilloscope
display that shows the waveforms of a transmitted pulse and the
resultant reflected pulses. A numerical display indicates the
distance in feet or meters to a cable fault. Front-panel controls
include devices to adjust the voltage magnitude of the
transmitted pulse, the pulse duration, an input parameter called
propagation factor, and various aspects of the oscilloscope
display.

Reflected Wave Display

Oscilloscope Display
Controls
MODEL
431F CA
BLE TEST SE
T
PURE
MAG
RANGE
150 300 FAULT
75 LOCATE
40 600
Printer MEMO
RY
1250
2500
5000
Interface
FEET
DISPLA
016. Y
05 AMPL
ITUDE
6 7
Distance PULS
E
Display BIDDLE
Propagation Factor Pulse Voltage

Adjuster Control
Test Lead
Figure 8. Low-Voltage Time-Domain Reflectometer
Arc-Reflection Types
Figure 9 is a general arrangement diagram of an arc-reflection

type of time-domain reflectometer. This type of time-domain
reflectometer is a modified version of a low-voltage time-domain
reflectometer. An impulse generator (thumper) and a coupler
are added. The thumper transmits a high-voltage pulse that
breaks down the insulation of a high-resistance shunt fault so
that it will produce a reflected wave. The coupler protects the
time-domain reflectometer from the high voltage of the
transmitted pulse while allowing the time-domain reflectometer
to read the reflected pulse.

Equipment Operational Principles
Transmission of Pulses
Low-voltage time-domain reflectometers transmit a half-sine

pulse of 50ns (50 nanosecond), 100ns, 200ns, 500ns, 1ms,
2ms, 5ms, or 10ms duration, and 10 volt peak magnitude from a
50 ohm source impedance. Arc-reflection time-domain
reflectometers transmit a rapid rate-of-rise pulse of up to 30 kV
and approximately 1250 joules of energy.
AC
Impulse Reflection
Generator Filter or
(Thumper) Coupler
Shunt Fault
Time-Domain
Reflectometer
Figure 9. Arrangement of an Arc-Reflection Time-Domain Reflectometer
Detection of Reflected Pulses
Figure 10 shows two oscilloscope traces as they might appear

on a time-domain reflectometer. Each trace shows a transmitted
pulse and a reflected pulse. The transmitted pulse will reflect
from any discontinuity in the cable’s insulation structure such as
a splice, tap connection, termination, sharp bend, crimp, water-
saturated section of insulation, an open circuit fault, or a shunt
fault.

Short-Circuit Cable Faults
The reflected wave of a short-circuit cable fault (shunt fault) has

a voltage polarity that is opposite the polarity of the transmitted
pulse. Figure 10a shows the typical shape of a wave that was
reflected from a shunt fault.
Open-Circuit Cable Faults
The reflected wave of an open-circuit cable fault has a voltage

polarity that is the same polarity as the transmitted pulse
Figure 10b shows the typical shape of a wave that was reflected
from an open-circuit fault.
Steps in Localization
The following steps are used in locating a fault in a buried cable:

• Before using a time domain reflectometer, the cable to be
tested is disconnected from as much power system
apparatus as is practical.
• An insulation resistance test, an applied potential test, or a
circuit continuity test is conducted on the cable as needed to
determine whether the fault is an open circuit fault, a high-
resistance shunt fault, or a low-resistance shunt fault. Note:
In the context of cable testing, a low resistance fault is
roughly defined as a fault having less than 1000 ohms
resistance between the core conductor and the cable shield
or sheath.
• If the fault is a low-resistance shunt fault or an open-circuit
fault, a low-voltage time-domain reflectometer is used to
measure the distance between the origination end of the
cable to the cable fault.

Peak of t
Transmitted
Pulse
Leading Edge
of Reflected
Wave
a) Reflection from a Shunt Fault
Leading Edge
of Reflected
Wave
b) Reflection from an Open-Circuit Fault

Figure 10. Oscilloscope Traces for Faulted Cables
• If the fault is a high-resistance shunt fault, an arc-reflection

time-domain reflectometer is used to measure the distance
between the origination end of the cable to the cable fault.
• Through use of the information of the facility’s cable and
raceway layout drawing, the approximate location of the
cable fault is determined. If needed, acoustical localization,
earth-gradient localization, or tone tracing is used to
determine the location of the cable fault more exactly.
• The site of the cable fault is excavated, and the cable is
repaired as needed.

Measuring Time Delay of the Reflected Image - A typical model of a

time-domain reflectometer has a movable cursor on its
oscilloscope display that facilitates the measurement of the time
delay of the reflected wave. The time delay is the interval
between the peak of the transmitted pulse and the leading edge
of the reflected wave (see Figure 10). Some models of time-
domain reflectometers have a numerical display that indicates
the distance in feet or meters that corresponds to the time
interval defined by the position of the cursor.
Calculating the Distance to a Fault - The distance to a fault is
calculated through the use of the formula:
c ×p × t
• d=
2
• Where d is the distance to the fault, t is the time interval
measured by the movable cursor of the oscilloscope, c is the
speed of light (984 feet/ms or 300m/ms), and p is the
propagation factor for the cable.
Compensating for Wave Propagation Velocity - The propagation
factor, p, is used in the distance formula to compensate for the
fact that a transmitted pulse travels at a velocity less than the
speed of light. Propagation factor is equal to:
v
• p=
c
• Where p is the propagation factor, v is the velocity of a pulse
in the cable, and c is the speed of light.
Propagation factors for different constructions of cable range
from 0.03 to 0.99. Information about the propagation factor of a
particular cable can be obtained from the cable’s manufacturer.
Propagation factors for the most commonly used cables are
given in the instructional literature of time-domain
reflectometers.

Sectionalizing
Taps, terminations, switches, transformers, and other cables

connected to the cable under test will cause reflected waves to
appear on the oscilloscope trace. These reflected waves are
sometimes difficult to distinguish from the reflected wave of a
fault. For this reason, before a cable is tested it is disconnected
from as many of these devices as is practical. When
disconnecting other devices is not practical, the oscilloscope
trace can be compared with another oscilloscope trace that was
recorded when the power distribution circuit was known to be in
good condition. Any reflected pulse that appears on the latest
trace that did not appear on the earlier trace is very likely to
represent a cable fault. Figure 11 is an example of two traces
that were recorded from the same distribution system with the
second trace showing a high-resistance fault.

Transmitted Pulse
Reflection from the

End of Cable A
Reflection from a
Splice In Cable B
Reflection from the

Reflection from a End of Cable B
Tap Connection
a) New Cable
Transmitted Pulse
Reflection from the

End of Cable A
Reflection from a
Splice In Cable B
Reflection from a Reflection from

Tap Connection a Shunt Fault
b) Same Cable with a Fault

Figure 11. Comparison of Arc-Reflection Traces

GLOSSARY
Acoustical Detector An auxiliary device used with a

thumper to locate the sound produced
by the breakdown of damaged cable
insulation.
AEIC The Association of Edison Illuminating
Companies
Cross-Linked Polyethylene An insulation material used in medium-
voltage and high-voltage power cables.
Earth-Gradient Detector An auxiliary device used with a
thumper to locate the earth current that
flows in the vicinity of damaged cable
insulation when the cable breaks down.
EPR Ethylene propylene rubber
Ethylene propylene rubber An insulation material used in medium-
voltage and high-voltage power cables.
Impulse Capacitor The component of a cable thumper that
stores the energy that is transmitted
into the cable as a high-voltage pulse.
Origination End The open-circuit end of a cable that
receives the transmitted pulse from a
time-domain reflectometer.
Propagation Factor The velocity of a pulse traveling
through a cable divided by the speed of
light.
TDR A time-domain reflectometer.
Thumper An electrical test set that generates
high-voltage high-energy pulses and
that is used to break down a cable fault
to produce a audible sound.
Time-Domain Reflectometer An electrical instrument that measures
the time intervals between the
transmission of an electrical pulse and
the reception of reflected pulses.
XLPE Cross-Linked Polyethylene

ADDENDUM
Precommissioning Forms not used in Course EEX 107 text material.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ELECTRICAL PRECOMMISSIONING FORMS
Introduction
P-000 Testing Guidelines A
P-001 Automatic Transfer Switches A
P-002 Battery System A
P-003 Cables- Low Voltage A
P-004 Cables- Medium Voltage H.O. #10
P-005 Cables- High Voltage A
P-006 Circuit Breakers, Molded Case A
P-007 Circuit Breakers, Low Voltage Power H.O. #15
P-008 Circuit Breakers- Medium Voltage H.O. #8
P-009 Dehydrator-Desalter Transformer A
P-010 Electric Heat Tracing A
P-011 Generators-Diesel Electric H.O. #12
P-012 Grounding System H.O. #14 & 15
Neutral Ground Resistor
System Ground
Ground Fault Systems
P-013 Lighting A
P-014 Metal Enclosed Bus Duct H.O. #9
P-015 Metering A
P-016 Motor Control Centers, Low Voltage A
P-017 Motor Control Gear, Medium Voltage A
P-018 Motors, Induction and Synchronous H.O. #1
P-019 Outdoor Bus Structures A
P-020 Protective Relays H.O. #16
P-021 SF-6 Padmounted Switchgear A
P-022 Surge Arrestors A
P-023 Switchgear- General A
P-024 Transformers- Dry Type H.O. #13
P-025 Transformers- Oil Filled H.O. #13
P-026 UPS System A
P-027 Voltage and Current Transformers H.O. #17
A = Located in Addendum
H.O. # = Handout Located in Text Work Aid

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Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

Chapter : Electrical For additional information on this subject, contact

Fundamentals of Cable Fault Localization

MODULE COMPONENT PAGE

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards i

Fundamentals of Cable Fault Localization

Detection of Reflected Pulses.................................................................. 20

Table 1. Table of Test Voltages for XLPE or EPR Cables............................................. 10

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards ii

Fundamentals of Cable Fault Localization

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards 3

Fundamentals of Cable Fault Localization

CABLE THUMPING: EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTIONS, OPERATIONAL

A cable thumper is an electrical test set that generates repetitive

There are two basic types of cable thumpers: the series-gap

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards 4

Fundamentals of Cable Fault Localization

Figure 1 is an illustration of a series-gap type of cable thumper.

• A knob-controlled variable transformer. This transformer

Shielded Output Test Lead Power Cord

Figure 1. Illustration of a Cable Thumper

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards 5

Fundamentals of Cable Fault Localization

Pulse-type cable thumpers have the same general construction

Acoustical Detector Auxiliary

Figure 2 is an illustration of an acoustical detector, an auxiliary

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards 6

Fundamentals of Cable Fault Localization

Figure 3 is an illustration of an earth-gradient detector. This

Figure 3. Earth-Gradient Detector

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards 7

Fundamentals of Cable Fault Localization

Thumper Operational Principles

Generating a High Energy

Figure 4a is a simplified schematic diagram of a series-gap

Adjustable Dimension Cable Under

Figure 4. Schematic Diagrams of Thumpers

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards 8

Fundamentals of Cable Fault Localization

Before a test, the series gap is adjusted to a maximum

Generating a High Energy

Figure 4b is a simplified schematic diagram of a pulse-type

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards 9

Fundamentals of Cable Fault Localization

Basic Localization Techniques

The initial level of pulse voltage that is used to locate a cable

Before a cable is tested through use of a thumper, any other

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards 10

Fundamentals of Cable Fault Localization

Figure 5 illustrates the basic method of using an acoustical

Headphones The Remote End

Figure 5. Fault Localization Through the Use of an Acoustical Detector

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards 11

Fundamentals of Cable Fault Localization

Figure 6 illustrates the basic method of using an earth-gradient

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards 12

Fundamentals of Cable Fault Localization

Current Damage Insulation

a) Cross Sectional View from Side