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CIGRE 2010

Interpretation of dielectric spectroscopy results in time and frequency domains

for power cables
S. BHUMIWAT
Independent Consultant
New Zealand

SUMMARY
This article provides a methodology for interpretation of the dielectric spectroscopy results for power
cables. The technique, which was introduced last decade, is based on the non-destructive time-domain
measurement of both Polarisation and Depolarisation Currents (PDC) in addition to the frequencydomain processing of the measurement results in term of Dielectric Dissipation Factor (DDF) or tan
and Capacitance (C). An ability of the technique in measuring current in the range of pA (10-12 A)
provides opportunity for any type and any voltage level of long power cables to be assessed on site
non-destructively at low voltage such as 50 V. This ensures the insulation is not degraded by the test
stress.
The article emphasizes the importance of depolarisation current, or equivalently the absorption
current, which has to be measured in conjunction with polarisation current for about equal length of
time in order to identify aging characteristics. The proposed methodology for interpretation
demonstrates a need for using both time-domain and frequency-domain results. Three diagnostic
parameters suggested are PDC shape, frequency scan of C ratio and DDF. Case studies which include
problems of water and overheating in oil-paper and XLPE cables also give the answer while the
frequency of 50 Hz or even 0.1 Hz is not sensitive to detect aging problems in cable insulation.

KEYWORDS
Dielectric, absorption, conduction, polarisation, depolarisation, capacitance, dissipation factor.

supatra@kea-consultant.com

1. INTRODUCTION
This article and [1] are intended to support each other in providing information for on-site nondestructive diagnosis of in-service power cables by means of dielectric spectroscopy technique in [2],
which was introduced last decade. This is based on the non-destructive time-domain measurement of
both Polarisation and Depolarisation Currents (PDC) in addition to the frequency-domain processing
of the measurement results (by the PDC software) in term of Dielectric Dissipation Factor (DDF) and
Capacitance (C). Details of the fundamentals for dielectric spectroscopy in time and frequency domain
are published in [3]-[4]. In 2004, an investigation of submarine XLPE cables using the PDC analyser
in [2] was reported [5].
In order to obtain reliable, accurate and best measurement results for evaluation and interpretation, the
information in [1] includes principle of test arrangement for PDC measurement on power cables with
earthed screen and isolated screen, safety during the measurement, the measurement procedure to
assess sheath damage and factors which influence the measurement.
Since the most common types of aging found in power cables are water and thermal aging (or
overheating), the methodology for interpretation is focused on these two types of aging. Case studies
presented here include XLPE cables and oil-paper cables while [1] also includes PILC cables. For the
clear insight into how the technique works and for the benefit of readers, the contents of this article are
as follows:
Background of problems in cable insulation
Background of diagnostic parameters
Interpretation:
- Cables with no problems (2 cases of XLPE cables, 1 case of oil-paper cable)
- Free water in XLPE cable
- Oil-paper cable with high load
- Combination of problems in XLPE cable
2. BACKGROUND OF PROBLEMS IN CABLE INSULATION
Every type of cable insulation, regardless of voltage rating, posseses two basic electrical properties
the ability to be polarized and in which an electrostatic field can exist. Polarisation and Conduction
phenomena occur in every electrical insulating material [3], [6] [7]. Problems in the dielectric are
produced by the mechanism of one of these two. Polarisation takes place in all the molecules of a
dielectric and causes chemical change or deterioration in the material. (The term deterioration
products will be used in this article). At the same time, conduction of a dielectric is often determined
by the presence of impurities or contaminants and is not attributed to its basic substance. (The term
contaminants will be used in this article).
Conduction in cable insulation are mostly due to water but can be any conductive particles, carbon
dust, deposits, etc., which are introduced into the internal insulation system during installation,
operation or from previous fault. (External humidity shall be minimized during measurement [1] and
will not be considered as contaminants).
Polarisation in cable insulation are mostly due to accumulation of charges at the interface of different
materials (interfacial polarisation), which can be caused by incompatibility of materials, aging of
insulating materials or any chemical reaction, etc. Examples of deteriration products are thermal aging
by-products, by-products of partial discharges, oxidation by-products, etc.
While free water or surface humidity causes conduction, water in the insulation e.g. in molecular state
or adsorbed state causes polarisation, especially interfacial polarisation. In addition, the oxygen in
water, HOH, which has a negative dipole can associate or interact with other molecules even copper or
aluminium conductor. Water trees in XLPE cable is also classified as deterioration products.

3. BACKGROUND OF DIAGNOSTIC PARAMETERS

Three parameters are used in the interpretation PDC, C ratio and DDF. In this section, background of
each parameter is discussed:
3.1 PDC
PDC is the time-domain measurement results of both polarisation and depolarisation currents. For the
accuracy in interpretation, it is a good practice to check the effect of background remaining current in
case correction is required before using the PDC results for interpretation.
When the cable insulation is energized by direct voltage (or during polarisation), there are three
currents flow through the internal insulation capacitive current, absorption current and conductive
current. The capacitive current appears very short time during switching and it is not normally
mentioned. Due to the large capacitance of some long cables, the capacitive current can remain after
one second when the PDC measurement starts. This capacitive current will not be used in the
interpretation and will need to delete before processing to obtain the frequency-domain results. After
the disappearance of capacitive current, the charging current or polarisation current (I pol) consists of
absorption current due to polarisation phenomena (deterioration products) and conduction current
caused by conduction phenomena (contaminants) while the depolarisation current (I depol) during
discharging refers to absorption current only. When the conduction is low, the polarization current and
the depolarization current will be nearly equal e.g. about one-tenth of the charging duration. This is
how the PDC is used to identify conduction and polarization, the two major properties (or major
troubles) of dielectric. It is important that the measuring time is the same for both currents.
While an increase of I depol or absorption current is due to the deterioration products in cable
insulation, a decrease of I depol or absorption current in some type of cable such as XLPE is caused by
the formation of voids in the insulation.
The well-known Insulation Resistance (IR) is the constant direct voltage divided by the polarisation
current (I pol). As the whole shape of I pol is obtained from the PDC measurement, the real meaning
of IR will be fully understood through the case studies (by considering the I pol, as IR will not be
presented). In addition, Polarisation Index (P.I.) which is IR at 10 minutes divided by IR at 1 minute
can be determined from I pol at 60 seconds divided by I pol at 600 seconds. P.I. can be used as a
diagnostic key in case of free water or contaminants only, not in case of moisture causing polarisation
phenomena such as water trees.
3.2 C ratio and DDF
By processing or evaluation of the measurement results using PDC software [2], the frequency-domain
results of C and DDF are obtained. Only the results at the frequencies corresponding to the
measurement time duration are used in the interpretation, not others from the extrapolation. In
addition, C ratio is used instead of C, which varies from one cable to another. C ratio is the ratio of
capacitance at corresponding frequency to capacitance at 50 Hz. When the insulation system contains
negligible amount of deterioration products, capacitance value is constant from 50 Hz, 1 Hz towards
low and very low frequencies. In another words, C ratio =1.00. Deterioration products especially water
in the adsorbed state or molecular state, increase capacitance at low and very low frequencies which
means higher C ratio. This is due to the slow process of interfacial (or migrational) polarisation.
While DDF provides decisive measure of insulation condition, it cannot identify the cause of
problems. Both conduction and polarisation phenomena increase DDF. Care shall be taken as well
when comparing the results with the past records that DDF is temperature dependent. In addition, the
dependency of DDF on frequency is different from one type of insulating material to another. DDF of
oil-filled cable cannot be compared with DDF of XLPE cable or other types of cable.

4. INTERPRETATION
This section shows how to interprete the dielectric response results through six case-studies, as
presented by table 1-6. Each table contains the charts of diagnostic parameters using for the
interpretation - PDC, C ratio and DDF. The six case studies can be grouped into four condition modes:
4.1 Cables with no problems
The difference in the interpretation between XLPE an oil-paper cable is DDF, as the materials are
different. The dry XLPE cable has DDF shape as in table 1 and 2 with the whole DDF < 10-4. The dry
oil-paper cable has the DDF shape as in table 3 and DDF at 1 Hz is close to 10-3. The consideration of
PDC and C ratio is the same for both XLPE and oil-paper cables. When C ratio is 1, the cable has no
deterioration caused by polarisation phenomena. When PDC shape has two currents very close, the
cable has no problem with contaminants. If each current is straight and follow inverse power law, the
cable is either healthy or has moisture in adsorbed or molecular state, which will be identified by C
ratio. If the current has one prominent crook as in table 5 or 6, the cable has thermal aging.
Table 1: One new XLPE cable in acceptable condition, not yet in service

(a)

1.E-0 9

1.E-10

I pol.
I depol.

1.E-11
1

1.E+0 1

PDC at 1 kV, 20 o C

1.E-0 3

(b)

C ratio

Current (A)

1.E-0 8

C ratio
DDF
A section of about 400 m of single-core 33 kV XLPE cable after installation, 0.17 F, not yet in service

10

10 0

Ignore amplitude when C ratio is 1.00

1.00 for all frequencies observed.
< 1E-4 for the whole range of frequencies observed.
Overall conclusion:
C ratio
DDF

1.E-0 1

1.E-0 5
1.E-0 2

1.E+0 0

1.E-0 1

1.E+0 0

Frequency (Hz)

Frequency (Hz)

T ime (s)

From dielectric response results

PDC:
I depol. is straight in log-log scale.
(draw the average line)
I pol. is quite straight in log-log scale
I pol deviates from I depol at < 10 s.

1.E-0 2

DDF at 20 o C

1.E-0 4

C ratio

1.E+0 0
1.E-0 3

(c)

DDF

PDC

Interpretation
Normal shape

Evidence or support

Acceptable shape
Likely surface leakage, as test was done without
cable terminator.
OK
Acceptable

New, unused

Insulation system is in acceptable condition.

Table 2: One 4-year-old XLPE cable in acceptable condition

(a)

1.E+0 1

PDC at 200 V, 21 o C

1.E-0 3

1.E-0 9

1.E-10

I pol.
I depol.

1.E-11
1

10

10 0

C ratio

1.E+0 0
1.E-0 2

T ime (s)

From dielectric response results

PDC:
- I depol. is straight in log-log scale.
(draw the average line)
- Small conduction is observed in I pol.
- I pol deviates from I depol at < 10 s.
C ratio:
DDF

1.00 for all frequencies observed.

< 1E-4 at 1 Hz and increase to 1E-4
at < 0.1 Hz then constant at 1E-4.
Overall conclusion:

DDF

(b)

C ratio

Current (A)

1.E-0 8

C ratio
Single-core 33 kV XLPE cable, age 4, length 2 km, 0.59 F

1.E-0 1

1.E+0 0

(c)

DDF at 21 o C

DDF

PDC

1.E-0 4

1.E-0 5
1.E-0 2

Frequency (Hz)

1.E-0 1

1.E+0 0

Frequency (Hz)

Interpretation
Normal shape

Evidence or support

Acceptable shape
Notice to monitor change in future.
(as C ratio as well as DDF is acceptable).
Acceptable.
Still acceptable.

Note for reference that air humidity is not high.

Acceptable, though contaminants are noticed for future reference.

Table 3: One 26-year-old oil-paper cable in good condition. Moisture in paper < 0.5%
PDC

1.E+0 1

PDC at 30 V, 24 o C

(a)

(b)

1.E-0 1

1.E-0 8

I pol.
I depol.

1.E-0 9

10

10 0

1,0 0 0

10 ,0 0 0

1.E-0 3

DDF at 24 o C

1.E-0 1

1.E-0 3
1.E-0 4

1.E+0 0

1.E-0 3

Frequency (Hz)

T ime (s)

From dielectric response results

PDC:
I depol. is straight in log-log scale before decays. No crook.
I pol. slightly deviates from I pol.
I pol. is also quite straight. No crook.
P.I. (60 and 600 s) = 2.38
C ratio
Very slightly deviates from 1.00.
DDF:
DDF at 0.1 Hz << 1E-2
Higher at lower frequencies
Moisture evaluation from PDC software: < 0.5%
Overall conclusion:

1.E-0 2

(c)

1.E-0 2

C ratio

1.E+0 0
1.E-0 4

1.E-10

DDF

DDF

1.E-0 7

C ratio

Current (A)

1.E-0 6

C ratio
33 kV 3/C oil-paper cable, 4 km length, age 26, C 3.04 F, moisture in paper < 0.5%

1.E-0 2

1.E-0 1

1.E+0 0

Frequency (Hz)

Interpretation
Good shape

Evidence or support

Acceptable shape.
Small conduction.
Low deterioration products.
Good (for oil-paper cable).
Normal
Good
Pressure of oil is in control.
The 26-year-old oil-paper cable is still in good condition.

4.2 Free water in XLPE cable

Table 4 shows a case of water in XLPE cable. The earlier the separation or deviation of flat-shape I
pol from I depol, the sooner the insulation is going to fail due to water. Because C ratio is not higher
than 1 for the whole frequency observed, there is no water tree in the cable. DDF shows free water
influences the DDF shape at frequency lower than 0.1 Hz. After this PDC test, the VLF withstand was
applied and phase A failed before reaching the target test voltage. So these dielectric response results
have proved that the frequency of 0.1 Hz is not low enough to assess this problem of free water (DDF
at 0.1 Hz of phase A and B are quite similar). The shape of PDC is the most sensitive key.
Table 4: Two 21-year-old XLPE cables, with problem of free water in phase A

PDC at 500V, 20 o C
A, I pol.

1.E-0 9

A, I depol.

Current (A)

1.E-0 8

(a)

B, I pol.
B, I depol.

1.E-10
1.E-11
1

10

10 0

1,0 0 0

10 ,0 0 0

T ime (s)

From dielectric response results

PDC:
- I depol. of phase A and B are equal.
- I depol shape is straight in log-log scale
except the initial 5-6 s.
- I pol. of phase A deviates from I depol
at very initial time. Constant shape of
conduction current starts as early as 10 s.
- Conduction in I pol. of phase B is noticed but much less than phase A.
C ratio
Very close to 1.00
DDF:
- DDF of phase A is slightly higher than
phase B between 0.1 and 1 Hz.
- DDF of phase A is much higher than
phase B at lower frequencies.
Overall conclusion:

1.E+0 1

DDF
1.E-0 2

(b)

(c)

DDF at 20 o C

1.E-0 3

DDF

1.E-0 7

C ratio
22 kV 600m 3/c XLPE cables, age 21, length 600 m

C ratio

PDC

Phase A
Phase B
1.E+0 0
1.E-0 4

1.E-0 3

1.E-0 2

1.E-0 1

1.E-0 4

1.E-0 5
1.E-0 4

1.E+0 0

Phase A
Phase B
1.E-0 3

Interpretation
Both cables have similar level of deterioration in
insulating materials.
Overall normal shape. OK even current at initial
time is slightly higher (as DDF at 0.1-1 Hz is not.
much higher than 1E-4).
Contaminants especially water is unacceptable.
The earlier I pol. deviates from I depol., the poorer
the insulation is.
Acceptable because the constant shape of conduction current has not shown up.
No water tree or other deterioration products.
- DDF at 0.1 Hz - 1 Hz (or 50 Hz) is not
sensitive in detection of water in XLPE cable.
- DDF of phase A is unacceptably high.

1.E-0 2

1.E-0 1

1.E+0 0

Frequency (Hz)

Frequency (Hz)

Evidence or support
-

Phase A was repaired a few weeks before fault.

The fault area was not covered. Water could
penetrate deeper than expected, which means
some infected area has remained after repair.
No fault on phase B.
-

Free water and contaminants increase DDF but not C ratio.

4.3 Oil-paper cable with high load

Table 5 is a case of oil-paper cable supplying continuous high load. The products from heating paper
are CO, CO2 and water. The moisture in paper of 1.0-1.5% evaluated by PDC software is likely to de
generated from the heating of paper, as pressure of oil has been well controlled. The slightly increase
of C ratio from unity is caused by water in the cellulose layer. The PDC shape is not much crooked
such as the case in table 6.
Table 5: One oil-paper cable in acceptable condition, age >30
PDC
1.E-0 7

C ratio
63 kV, > 30 years old, high load, oil impregnated paper, C 104 nF, moisture in paper 1.0-1.5%
1.E+0 1

PDC at 50V, 22 o C

Current (A)

(a)

1.E+0 0

(b)

1.E-0 9

I pol.
I depol.

1.E-10
1

10

10 0

1,0 0 0

10 ,0 0 0

C ratio

(c)

DDF at 22 o C

1.E-0 1

DDF

C ratio

1.E-0 8

1.E-0 2

1.E+0 0
1.E-0 4

1.E-0 3

T ime (s)

1.E-0 2

1.E-0 1

1.E+0 0

1.E-0 3
1.E-0 4

1.E-0 3

1.E-0 2

1.E-0 1

1.E+0 0

Frequency (Hz)

Frequency (Hz)

From dielectric response results

PDC:
- I pol and I depol are slightly crooked.
- I pol and I depol are nearly equal at
initial time up to about 60 s.
- I pol is straight after 100 s.
P.I. (60 and 600 s): 2.64
C ratio
Slightly deviates from 1.00.
DDF:
DDF at 0.1 Hz << 1E-2
Higher steadily towards lower frequencies
Moisture evaluation from PDC software: 1.0-1.5%
Overall conclusion:

DDF

Interpretation
Acceptable shape.
Acceptable shape.

Evidence or support
High loading

No problem of free water and contaminants.

Acceptable
Moisture in paper is not high.
Good (for oil-paper cable).
Normal
Acceptable
The oil-paper cable is still in acceptable condition.

Pressure of oil is in control.

4.4 Combination of problems in XLPE cable (damaged sheath and high load)
This PDC shape is the case of overheating or thermal aging. DDF is extremely high for XLPE cable.
The increase of C ratio at very low frequencies can mean water tree and thermal aging products in
combination but interfacial polarisation of water is more likely due to the high permittivity of water.
Table 6: One 25-year-old XLPE cable having problems with overheating and likely water tree
PDC

1.E+0 1

PDC at 50V, 15 o C

(a)

1.E+0 0

(b)

1.E-0 8

I pol.
I depol.

1.E-0 9
1

10

10 0

1,0 0 0

10 ,0 0 0

T ime (s)

From dielectric response results

PDC:
- One prominent crook shape.
- I pol. and I depol nearly equal for about one-tenth of charging time.
- No past record to compare if amplitude is higher.
- P.I. (I pol. at 60 and 600 s): 3.88
C ratio:

higher than unity at f < 0.05 Hz

(1.20 at 1 mHz, 1.69 at 0.1 mHz)

DDF:

Very high for XLPE cables

(e.g. much higher than 10-4 at 1 Hz)

Overall conclusion:

DDF

1.E-0 7

C ratio

Current (A)

1.E-0 6

C ratio
Single core 33 kV underground XLPE cable, age 25, length 1.5 km, C 0.9 F

C ratio

1.E+0 0
1.E-0 4

1.E-0 3

1.E-0 2

DDF

(c)

DDF at 15 o C

1.E-0 1

1.E-0 2

1.E-0 1

Frequency (Hz)

Interpretation
Thermal aging or overheating.

1.E+0 0

1.E-0 3
1.E-0 4

1.E-0 3

1.E-0 2

1.E-0 1

1.E+0 0

Frequency (Hz)

Evidence or support
High loading (but not necessary as
can be caused by high dielectric loss)

Neither surface contaminants nor moisture in the form of free water.

(for future reference. Thermal aging leads to high P.I.)

Interfacial polarisation in dielectric with water Initial PDC assessment reveals inclusions. Water tree is also possible.
conduction to earth of screen (20nA).
The insulation is deteriorating.
unacceptable
(Thermal aging by-products can cause high DDF,
but not very high like dielectric losses due to water).
Poor insulation condition which will lead to further overheating. Follow up the change in 1 year.

5. CONCLUSION
The diagnosis of in-service power cables requires the results of dielectric spectroscopy in both time
and frequency domains. Three diagnostic parameters are used in the interpretation PDC (both
polarisation and depolarisation currents), C ratio and DDF. While free water causes the deviation of
polarisation current from depolarisation current and increase DDF without increase C ratio, water tree
in XLPE cable or water in adsorbed or molecular state of oil-paper cable lifts the PDC amplitude
without changing the PDC shape, increase DDF and increase C ratio at very low frequencies. The
shape and magnitude of DDF are different between XLPE cable and oil-paper cable. Finally the case
studies show frequency 0.1 Hz is not low enough to diagnose aging problems in power cables.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
[1]
[2]

[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]

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