Subsea Fault Location Test Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Identifying and locating faults in subsea electrical installations, such as insulation failures, is a time-consuming and costly process that risks damaging the equipment during the diagnostic procedure.
Innovation Solution
A test arrangement that applies a common test signal between ground and conductors to detect earth leakage currents, using a subsea module with an inductive probe to monitor current flow and determine fault locations without disconnecting parts of the installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the entire installation is powered down and parts are disconnected to identify fault location, then the fault location can be determined, but the process becomes time-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary fault detection by continuously monitoring leakage currents during normal operation. The injection module pre-applies test signals through selected conductors, and the measurement module continuously measures leakage currents, allowing fault locations to be identified without interrupting system operation or requiring disconnection of components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical/disconnection-based fault identification method with an electrical measurement system. Instead of physically disconnecting parts to isolate faults, the system uses injection modules to apply test signals and measurement modules to detect leakage currents, substituting mechanical intervention with electrical field-based detection.
2Reliability
If the entire installation is powered down to test for faults, then safety is improved, but productivity and operational continuity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects which conductors receive test signals based on operational requirements. The injection module can apply test signals to different conductors in different time periods, allowing the system to maintain operational flexibility while performing fault detection. This dynamic approach enables fault testing without requiring complete system shutdown.
Solution Approach 2:
The fault detection system operates continuously during normal system operation. The measurement module continuously monitors leakage currents while the system remains powered and operational, eliminating the need to interrupt useful actions for testing. This allows productivity to be maintained while reliability is improved through continuous monitoring.
3Measurement precision
If disconnection and reconnection of parts is performed to locate faults, then fault identification is achieved, but additional damage may be caused to the installation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention completely eliminates the mechanical disconnection and reconnection process by using electrical measurement techniques. Injection modules apply test signals electrically, and measurement modules detect faults through current measurement, removing the physical manipulation that causes additional damage while maintaining accurate fault location capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces measurement modules as intermediaries between the test signals and the fault locations. Instead of directly manipulating components through disconnection, the measurement modules indirectly detect faults by measuring leakage currents, thereby identifying fault locations without physical contact that could cause damage.
4Measurement precision
If traditional fault detection methods are used requiring diver or ROV intervention, then faults can be identified, but operational complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-diagnosis by automatically detecting and locating faults without requiring external intervention. The injection modules and measurement modules work autonomously to identify fault locations, eliminating the need for divers or ROVs and significantly reducing operational complexity while maintaining accurate fault detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback through the measurement module that monitors leakage currents and provides real-time information about system health. This feedback mechanism automatically identifies faults and their locations, replacing complex manual intervention processes with an automated feedback-based detection system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables quick and simple fault location with reduced risk of causing additional damage, as the test signal is applied without powering down the system, allowing for precise identification of insulation faults without disconnection.
Implementation Method 1
a subsea module with an inductive probe to monitor current flow
Data Source
AI summary
A test arrangement for use in determining the location of a fault in an installation 10 comprising at least first and second conductors 22, 24 providing electrical connections between a surface located device 12 and a subsea located device 20, the test arrangement comprising a first module 26 operable to apply a common test signal between ground and the first and second conductors 22, 24, and a second module 28 operable to monitor the total current flowing through the first and second conductors 22, 24 at a subsea location.