Insulated Cable-End Test Interface Without SF6 Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Power cable testing requires handling environmentally unfriendly gases like SF6 and necessitates large safe zones and long conductor lengths, making existing testing methods 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 connection of cable ends without the need for SF6 handling or extensive safe zones, utilizing a conductive connector and insulating plug assembly to form a secure interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cable terminations with exposed high voltage parts are used, then testing can be performed, but a large safe zone of several meters is required
Solution Approach 1:
The cable end is nested within the insulating body's channel, with the conductor inserted through the insulating plug. This nested configuration allows the high voltage conductor to be contained within the insulating structure, eliminating the need for a large external safe zone while maintaining testing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating body and insulating plug act as intermediary elements between the high voltage conductor and the external environment. These intermediary insulating structures provide the necessary electrical isolation, allowing testing to proceed without requiring a large safe zone
2Reliability
If GIS termination is used, then testing can be performed, but handling of SF6 gas is required which has high greenhouse potential
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential testing function from the complex GIS termination system that requires SF6 gas. By using a simplified insulating body with channel and plug configuration, the testing capability is maintained while eliminating the need for harmful SF6 gas handling
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating body and plug configuration provides a simpler, less environmentally harmful alternative to GIS termination. This simplified structure achieves the testing objective without requiring permanent installation of complex gas-filled equipment
3Reliability
If routine/FAT testing is performed on produced cable, then quality assurance is achieved, but it is cumbersome to access enough length on both ends
Solution Approach 1:
The testing assisting device is segmented into separate components: the insulating body with channel and the insulating plug. This segmentation allows flexible assembly and disassembly, making it easier to access and prepare cable ends for testing without requiring excessive cable length
Data Source
AI summary
A testing assisting device includes a first end of a cable, an insulation body including a channel centred around and stretching along a longitudinal axis through the insulation body and a channel closing element, 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 abuts a first end of a conductor 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 and the first end of the conductor of the first cable end at the mating location. There is also a method of forming the testing assisting device.