Cable-End Test Interface Without SF6 or Long Conductor Runs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Power cables, such as submarine power cables, require testing that involves handling environmentally unfriendly gases like SF6 and necessitates large safe zones and long conductor lengths, making the testing process cumbersome and unsafe.
Innovation Solution
A simplified testing assisting device is created using an insulating body with a channel and channel closing element, allowing for a safer and more efficient testing setup by eliminating the need for SF6 handling and reducing the required safe zone and conductor length, utilizing a conductive connector and insulating plug assembly to form an interface between the cable end and connector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cable terminations (outdoor or GIS) are used to prepare cable ends for testing, then the cable can be tested, but the outdoor termination requires a large safe zone of several meters and the GIS termination requires handling of SF6 gas
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential function of cable termination (providing an interface for testing) while removing the harmful aspects (large safe zone and SF6 handling). This is achieved by using a simplified insulating body with a channel and channel closing element that provides the necessary electrical interface without requiring the complex safety zones or hazardous gases associated with traditional terminations.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating body provides localized insulation and electrical interface functionality exactly where needed at the cable end, rather than requiring the extensive safety zones and complex structures of traditional terminations. The channel and channel closing element create a focused, localized solution that maintains testing capability while eliminating the need for large safe zones.
2Reliability
If traditional cable terminations are used, then the cable can be tested, but it requires long lengths of conductor at both ends of the cable
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the essential function of providing an electrical interface for testing, removing the requirement for long conductor lengths. The insulating body with its channel and channel closing element provides a compact interface that eliminates the need for extended conductor preparation at both cable ends.
3Reliability
If traditional cable terminations are used, then the cable can be tested, but the process is cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the core functionality of cable termination while removing the cumbersome aspects. The simplified insulating body with channel and channel closing element can be quickly installed and provides immediate testing capability, eliminating the time-consuming preparation required by traditional terminations.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1f
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A testing assisting device (42) comprises a first end of a cable, an insulation body comprising a channel centred around and stretching along a longitudinal axis through the insulation body and a channel closing element (16), the channel being accessible via a first opening in the insulation body, wherein the first cable end extends into the channel via the first opening and a first end of the channel closing element (16) abuts a first end of a conductor (12) of the first cable end at a mating location in the channel in order to form an interface between the first end of the channel closing element (16) and the first end of the conductor (12) of the first cable end at the mating location. There is also a method of forming the testing assisting device (42).