TYPICAL TEST

Type Test
The following shall constitute the type tests:
a) Tests on Conductor
i. Annealing test (for copper)
ii. Resistance test
b) Physical test for Insulation:
i. Test for thickness and dimensions of insulation
ii. Tensile strength and elongation at break
iii. Thermal ageing in air oven
iv. Hot set test
v. Shrinkage test
vi. Void and contaminants test
c) Resistivity test for semi-conducting layers
d) Test for concentric metallic screen:
i. Test for concentric copper wire
ii. Test for concentric copper tape
e) Thickness of metallic sheath
f) Tests of armouring material:
i. Dimensions
ii. Tensile strength and elongation at break
iii. Wrapping test
iv. Resistivity test
g) Physical test for outer sheath:
i. Tensile strength and elongation at break
ii. Thermal ageing in air oven
iii. Loss of mass
iv. Heat shock test
v. Hot deformation test
vi. Shrinkage test
vii. Thermal stability
h) For PE sheath
i. Carbon black content
ii. Tensile strength and elongation at break and ageing
iii. Hot-deformation
i) Flammability tests (for PVC outer sheathed cables only)
i. Thermal ageing on complete cable sample
ii. Tensile strength and elongation on break for insulation and outer sheath
iii. Resistivity tests for semi-conductor layer
j) Bending test followed by P.D. test
k) Dielectric power factor and capacitance measurement at ambient temperature
l) Dielectric power factor measurement at elevated temperature
m) Load cycle test followed by P.D. measurement
n) Impulse withstand test followed by HV test.

ACCEPTANCE TESTS
The following shall constitute acceptance tests
a) Conductor resistance test
b) Annealing test
c) Test for dimensions of insulation
d) Hot set test for insulation
e) Void and contaminants test
f) Test for thickness of metallic sheath
g) Test for thickness of outer sheath
h) Partial discharge test
 i) High voltage test
j) Measurement of capacitance

Note: Partial discharge test shall be carried out on full drum length

ROUTINE TEST
The following shall be carried out as routine test
a) Conductor resistance test
b) Partial discharge test
c) High voltage test

OPTIONAL TEST
Cold impact test shall constitute the optional test.

CHECK ON INSULATION THICKNESS BEFORE THE ELECTRICAL TYPE

TESTS
The average value of insulation thickness shall be measured at both ends of the
sample (as per Part 6 of IS 10810), if the average of the two measurements of the insulation
thickness is:
• Not more than 10% over the declared nominal value for the cable, the test voltages as
specified in relevant clauses for this specification shall be used.
• More than 10% but not more than 15 % over the declared nominal value for the cable,
the test voltages as specified in relevant clauses of this specification shall be increased
to give an electrical field stress at the conductor screen, which will be the same value
as with nominal insulation thickness and specified test voltage.
• More than 15% over the declared nominal value for the cables another test sample
shall be chosen.

VOLTAGE TEST
The voltage test shall be carried out with A.C. at test voltages specified below
Alternatively, by agreement between the purchaser and the manufacturer, the test may
be made with direct current.
In A.C. test the current shall be approximately sine wave form at any frequency from
40 to 60 Hz inclusive. When carrying out the test, voltage shall be applied and increased
gradually to the full value. The test voltage shall be maintained continuously for 5 minutes
between conductors and between each conductor and sheath without any failure.

Single core SL, and

Belted Cables
Voltage Screen cables.
Designation Between any Between any
Between
KV conductor conductor and
Conductor
sheath sheath
0.65/1.1 3 3 3
1.1/1.1 3 3 3
1.9/3.3 9.5 5.5 5.5
3.3/3.3 9.5 9.5 9.5
3.8/6.6 17 19.8 9.8
6.6/6.6 17 17 17
6.35/11 25 14.4 17
11/11 25 25 25
TESTING OF CABLE INSTALLATION
INSULATION RESISTANCE TEST ON NEWLY INSTALLED CABLES BEFORE
JOINTING
All new cables should be tested for insulation resistance before jointing. After
satisfactory results are obtained cable Jointing and termination work should commence. It
should be noted here that insulation resistance test that gives only approximate insulation
resistance and the test is meant to reveal gross insulation fault(s). A fairly low insulation
resistance reading compared to the values obtained at factory testing should not be a cause of
worry since the insulation resistance varies greatly with parameters such as length and
temperature, this is particularly more pronounced in the case of PVC cables, the voltages
rating of insulation resistance tester for cables of different voltage grade should be chosen
from the following table:

Voltage grade of cable Voltage Rating of IR Tester

1.1 KV 500 V
3.3 KV 1000 V
6.6 KV 1000 V
11 KV 1000 V

PRE-COMMISSIONING TESTS
On completion of cable laying, jointing and termination works, the complete
installation should be tested with:
• A power frequency voltage equal to 1.7 U0 applied for 1 Hr between each conductor
and metallic sheath as per CIGRE Group 21 studies, where U 0 is the r.m.s rated
voltage at power frequency, between the conductor and the earth or the metallic
sheath.
Or
With normal operating voltage of the system for 24 Hrs as per IEC 60840, where ever
operating voltage of the system is not available, as an alternate DC voltage equal
to3V0 con be applied between each conductor and metallic sheath.
• Sheath test.

THE FOLLOWING PRE-COMMISSIONING TESTS SHALL BE CARRIED OUT

AFTER INSTALLATION WHICH ARE MANDATORY
1) Electrostatic Capacitance of the cable
2) Resistance of the Cable conductor
3) Resistance of the Metallic Sheath.