AGE-6 (11/03)

Where cables enter switchgear, reactors, motor and transformer boxes,

cable pits, etc. each cable shall be marked for identification with a cable number. See Conduit
and Cable Schedule for cable numbers; numbers and letters shall be a minimum of 3/8" high
and shall be Brady or equal and securely fastened in place.

6.3.4 Cable Testing

All installed medium voltage cables 2000 volts and above including
stress cones and splices shall successfully pass the following field acceptance test. Field
acceptance testing of cables must be done before cables are energized to ensure that no damage
has occurred during installation and that the cables are satisfactory for operation. Two types of
tests must be performed: "Insulation Resistance (Megger) tests" and "High D.C. Potential
(Hi-Pot) tests".

All the cable testing and furnishing of equipment shall be performed by a

qualified independent testing firm hired by this Contractor as part of His contract. The required
test equipment is as follows:

(a) "Megger" Insulation Resistance tester with a minimum rating of 1,000

volts, motor or rectifier operated and a scale indicating definite markings to
20,000 meg ohms. (Biddle Megger Catalog MD638, 500/1000/2500 volt ranges
or equal)

(b) 100 KV Dielector D.C. test set with test cables, safety barriers, etc.
(Biddle “Dielectric Test Set” Catalog No. 221100, 2-50 KV modules or equal)

(c) 0° to 150°F thermometer

(d) Stop watch

(e) "Danger High Voltage" signs

(f) High voltage gloves

(g) Test report sheets (Biddle "Dielectric Absorption Test Data Report"
sheets No. 951-3 for power cable, or equal)

6.3.4.1 Safety Precautions

During these tests, all precautions must be taken to prevent personnel

from coming into contact with live equipment.

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a) Tests to be made by qualified personnel.

b) Post "Danger" High Voltage signs at each end of cable run and
have a man stationed at exposed connections.

c) Check that the cables being tested are not connected to or

touching equipment.

d) Use high voltage gloves when testing cables.

e) After test and before turning cables over to workmen, ground all
cables for at least one hour to drain off all residual energy.

6.3.4.2 Insulation Resistance Test Procedure

Each conductor shall be tested between conductor and ground and

between other conductors in same conduit or duct. Cable shield must be connected to the same
ground. Refer to Figure A for typical connections.

a) Place thermometer adjacent to cable and allow enough time to

reach cable temperature.

b) Record the cable temperature and general weather conditions on

the Cable Test Report sheet.

c) Connect the "megger" instrument as shown in Figure A. Note

that the guard wire must be used to eliminate errors due to leakage. The guard
wire is tightly wrapped several turns over the insulation of the conductor to be
tested and then connected to the other two conductors of the circuit. At the
opposite end of the cable, an additional guard wire is applied as shown in Fig. A.

d) Connect the line terminal of the megger to the conductor being

tested.

e) Connect the earth terminal of the megger to the insulation

shielding and to the ground bus of the switchgear or substation.

f) Start the "megger" and record the resistance readings at the end
of two minutes. If a reading is just above a definite scale value, record the
reading as that value "plus" (+) megohms.

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 AGE-6 (11/03)

g) Repeat 6.3.4.2a to 6.3.4.2f on each of the other two phases.

h) As the megger voltage is applied, the resistance reading will

increase slowly due to polarization effect, etc. Therefore, for comparative
purposes, readings must be made on each phase at the end of the two minute
period as specified in 6.3.4.2f above.

i) The insulation resistance values of the cables shall not be less

than 2000 megohms. If readings are less, refer to cable reject procedure, 6.3.2.

j) Caution. After all three phases have been tested, ground all three
conductors for at least one hour to drain all energy obtained from the test
instrument.

6.3.4.3 The High "DC" Potential Test (Hi-Pot) Procedures

Each cable shall be tested between conductor and ground and between
other conductors in same conduit or duct. Cable shield must be connected to the same ground.
Refer to Figure B for typical connections.

a) The direct current test voltages to be used are:

RECOMMENDED D.C. PROOF TEST VOLTAGES

(15-Minute Test)

(Polyethylene, or Ethylene Propylene Rubber, Cross-Linked

Polyethylene Insulated Cables)

{PRIVATE } Rated Insulated Thickness Proof Test Voltage (KV)

Circuit For Shielded Cable
Voltage
(Mils) Installation Maintenance

2001-5000 90 27.5 21.0

5001-8000 115 35.0 26.0
8001-15,000 175 53.0 40.0

NOTE: Maximum proof test voltage for non-shielded medium voltage cable shall not
exceed 3 times the cables rated insulation level. (5KV cable shall be tested to 15KV.)

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 AGE-6 (11/03)

b) Refer to manufacturer of test equipment for instructions and

connections. Figure "B" illustrates typical connections of high potential test set.

c) Refer to Figure "B".

The high voltage terminal of the test set shall be connected to the conductor of
one phase. The return terminal shall be connected to the insulation shielding of that phase and
also to the conductors of the other two phases. Connect the ground terminal of the test set and
the insulation shielding of the other two phases to the switchgear or substation ground bus. To
eliminate leakage during test, a polyethylene bag may be placed over each end (terminal lug) of
the conductor being tested. First fill the bag with air by waving it in the air, then place over the
cable lug or conductor. The bag should not touch lug or conductor. The end of bag is then
taped securely to the insulation.

d) Apply the DC test voltage gradually up to the test level in one

minute. Read and tabulate the voltage (kilovolts) and current (microamperes) at approximately
15-second intervals.
After test level is reached read and tabulate time and current as follows:

{PRIVATE }TIME AFTER READ AND TABULATE TOTAL

TEST CURRENT READINGS
VOLTAGE IS REACHED
0 to 1 Minute 1 Reading Every 15 Seconds 4
1 to 2 Minutes 1 Reading Every 30 Seconds 2
2 to 5 Minutes 1 Reading Every Minute 3
7 Minutes 1 Reading 1
10 Minutes 1 Reading 1
15 Minutes 1 Reading 1

e) Plot time and test voltage as abscissa and micro-amperes as

ordinates. Indicate test voltage application point.

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 AGE-6 (11/03)

f) Interpretation of current-time curves can provide an experienced

person with information of cable performance. Refer to 6.3.4.3e for sample curve. Initially as
voltage is increased to test level, current should gradually increase. At the test level, the current
should gradually seek a steady lower level.
If the current continues to increase while the voltage is at test level, stop
test, discharge cable and refer to cable reject procedure, Section 6.3.2.

g) At end of test, the test voltage must be decreased slowly to zero.

(A minimum time period of 3 minutes) This is done to prevent possible oscillations, which may
break down the insulation.

h) After voltage is decreased to zero, the test set is turned off and
the cable shall be discharged through the test set discharge resistor.

i) Using high voltage gloves and ground stick, ground cable to

drain all residual voltage from the cable.

j) Repeat Sections 6.3.4.3.c to 6.3.4.3.i for the other two phases.

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