Underground Power Cable Life Expectancy

Underground cable testing and life expectancy diagnostics kevin j.

Underground power cable life expectancy.

The standards that cables are manufactured to do not specify a particular life expectancy. Electric power research institute 2010 portfolio underground transmission program 36. Life expectancy underground high voltage transmission lines have a life expectancy of 40 years while overhead lines have a life expectancy of more than 80 years. There are a number of challenges in submarine and underground cable study report.

The lifespan of underground electric power transmission cables has low compared to overhead cables. Also how it is buried also affects life expectancy of the cables. Underground transmission lines have higher life cycle costs than overhead transmission lines when combining construction repair and maintenance costs over the life of the line. Cable life extension methods.

Also cable buried deeper at least code recommended depths and below frost lines would last longer than shallow ones. Underground cable and smaller the life expectancy of an underground line is about p36 underground transmission epri. Costs an underground 230 kv line costs 10 to 15 times the cost of an overhead line due to time materials processes the need to include. Some cable manufacturers will determine a likely life expectancy based on typical conditions.

Mv power cables are qualified by various manufacturers to provide a specified life of anywhere from 20 to 30 years of continued service in optimal environmental and operating conditions. The underground electric power transmission cables more benefits of health ecological due to noise reduction and superior plants management. Injection technology otherwise known as cable insulation rejuvenation is a well established option to cable replacement. For example a household fixed wiring cable with typical electrical loading wired using the appropriate wiring guidelines could be expected to last 20 years.

A cable in a underground ductbank concrete encased would afford greater protection to phycial damage than the direct burial ones.