Development of a leak location system for use on underground electric power transmission cable. Final report

Technical Report · Fri Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1982

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7096143· OSTI ID:7096143

Williams, J. A.

This report describes a study to evaluate methods for locating leaks of dielectric fluid from buried high-voltage cable systems. Two primary types of leak location systems were investigated: (1) systems that will rapidly isolate the leak within a manhole section, typically 1000-m long on a feeder that might be 30-km long; and (2) systems that will then pinpoint the location of the leak. Rapid leak isolation was accomplished by developing an enhanced conductivity oil probe which allows the injection of a small quantity of conductive oil and which indicates the path of the oil as it drifts downstream in the direction of the leak. Two methods for pinpointing the leak were proven. The more successful method was the use of trained leak location dogs which were found to have far better sensitivity than instruments and which could detect cable oil alone without the need for additives. A tracer gas injection and detection scheme was developed for use in areas where the dogs may be unsuitable. Many other leak location methods were evaluated, and they may have application in unusual conditions. The body of the report contains a detailed description of all methods that were investigated.

• Research Organization: Power Technologies, Inc., Schenectady, NY (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7096143
• Report Number(s): EPRI-EL-2679; ON: DE83900533
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

200301* -- Power Transmission & Distribution-- AC Systems
EHV & UHV-- (-1989)
24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION
AC SYSTEMS
ANIMALS
CABLES
CONDUCTOR DEVICES
DETECTION
DOGS
ELECTRIC CABLES
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT
HVAC SYSTEMS
LEAK DETECTORS
LEAKS
MAMMALS
OIL-FILLED CABLES
PERFORMANCE
POWER SYSTEMS
POWER TRANSMISSION
UNDERGROUND POWER TRANSMISSION
VERTEBRATES