NETA Winter 2019 Cable Failures

Medium-voltage cables are an integral part of modern power systems and have existed for over 100 years in various forms. Over the past 50 years, extruded cables have largely displaced paper insulated cables. Extruded cables offer many advantages over older designs, but are similarly prone to failure. Such failures are a significant impediment to improving overall power system reliability.

Since cables are often sealed systems, continual assessment is difficult, and failures often occur without warning or preparation.