Power Cable Failure Analysis & Investigation Techniques

Course Code: EEC 1020

642 Course Visits

Course Sector:

Electrical Engineering

Request in house training Call Me Back

Course Dates and Locations

Choose a date and location to book your seat

No.

Date

Days

Location

Fees

Enrollment

07 - 11 Jul 2025

5 Days

Online, Virtual

$2,150

22 - 26 Dec 2025

5 Days

Dubai, UAE

$4,250

Introduction

Training course introducion / brief

Underground power cables are becoming more and more important for a number of reasons. Firstly, they are being used more widely due to increased electricity consumption, the fact that overhead lines are being replaced by underground cables, and the trend towards offshore wind power generation.

Secondly, underground power cables are being developed for higher electric stresses and higher currents. This creates considerable challenges. Thirdly, there is a tendency to push existing underground power cables to their limits, which is associated with a range of issues. And all this is happening at a time when society increasingly depends on a reliable and efficient energy supply, The increased use of power cables means that in many urban areas cables now often form a significant portion of the capital invested by network operators.

You will learn how to carry out a thorough and well-documented investigation following a catastrophic failure, including procedures at the incident scene for recovery, handling and analysis of evidence, how to establish a panel of inquiry and how the data from failure analysis can be used for future asset management decisions.

Understand the principles that cause failures and the skills to identify causes of failures
Mitigate against the risk of future failures through improved asset management
Improve procurement and specifying processes to reduce the risk of future failures
Learn the processes needed to recover and handle evidence
Gain essential knowledge of your legal obligations in a failure investigation
Improve safety and enhance the reliability of key power assets

Circuits Engineer
Design Engineer
Electrical Controls Engineer
Electrical Design Engineer
Electrical Engineer
Electrical Project Engineer
Electronics-research engineer
Instrumentation and Electrical (I&E) Reliability Engineer
Power Systems Engineer
Project Engineer
Test Engineer
illuminating engineer
Technician, semiconductor development
Power-distribution engineer
Controls design engineer

Module (01) Introduction

1.1 Cable Construction
1.2 Types of conductors
1.3 Conductor Arrangement
1.4 Cable Types
1.5 Insulations
1.6 Shielding and SEMICONDUCTING Tape
1.7 Finishes and Jackets

Module (02) Procedures and Techniques in Failure Analysis

2.1 Stages of an Analysis
2.2 Data Gathering
2.3 Visual Examination
2.4 Analytical Methods
2.5 Determining the Failure Mechanism
2.6 Actions following an Investigation

Module (03) Failure Investigation in the Field

3.1 Information Gathering
3.2 Initial Actions
3.3 Examination and Testing
3.4 Selection of Samples
3.5 Oil Sampling
3.6 Handling and Transportation

Module (04) Soil Thermal Resistivity

4.1 Component Materials
4.2 Density and Thermal Resistivity
4.3 Water Content and Thermal Resistivity
4.4 Customized Backfill
4.5 Thermal Resistivity Measurements

Module (05) Grounding System Impacts on Cables

5.1 Solid Resistance Grounding
5.2 Impact on Voltage During Fault
5.3 Impact on Insulation Thickness
5.4 Effect on Fault Current

Module (06) Cable Failure and Their Analysis

6.1 Mechanical Failures
6.2 Corrosion of Sheath
6.3 Moisture in The Insulation
6.4 Heating of Cables
6.5 Fire and Lighting Surges
6.6 Electrical Puncture
6.7 Inherent Causes
6.7.1 Sheath or Jacket Defects
6.7.2 Insulation Defects
6.7.3 Conductor Defects
6.8 Noninherent Causes
6.8.1 Corrosion of Sheath
6.8.2 Local Galvanic Action
6.8.3 Chemical Action
6.8.4 External Fire and HV Surges
6.8.5 Over Heating
6.8.6 Mechanical Damage
6.9 Other Causes
6.10 Failure Case Studies

Module (07) Cable and Joint Failure Modes

7.1 Electrical treeing
7.2 Water Treeing
7.3 Effects of DC Testing
7.4 Failures of Joints and Accessories

Module (08) Partial Discharge Techniques

8.1 What is Partial Discharge
8.2 PD Detection for Cable Diagnostics
8.3 Why Test for Partial Discharge
8.4 Physical Background of PD
8.5 Types of Partial Discharge
8.6 Characteristic of Discharge Patterns
8.7 Breakdown Cable Voltage
8.8 Partial Discharge Test Facility
8.9 Test Circuit inside Shielded Room
8.10 How to Calibrate the Partial Discharge System?
8.11 How to Measure Partial Discharge
8.12 Charge in Fault vs Measured Apparent Charge and Measurement Results
8.13 PD Measurement Methods Available
8.14 Importance PD for Insulation Of Old XLPE Cable Systems

Module (09) Very Low Frequency VLF

9.1 Standard for Onsite Testing Including VLF
9.2 Principle of VLF Generator
9.3 Dissipation Factor (Tanδ)
9.4 Evaluation of Tan Δ Measurements Based On XLPE
9.5 Water Treeing In Polymeric Insulation
9.6 Comparison of Electrical Treeing and Water Treeing
9.7 Comparison Channel Growth
9.8 Simplified Dielectric Equivalent Circuit of a New Cables
9.9 Examples of Water Trees
9.10 Application of VLF / PD Diagnosis

Module (10) Cable Fault Location and Tracing

10.1 Introduction
10.2 Cable Fault Location Procedures
10.3 Cable Fault Types
10.4 PD Tracks in Slip Joins For Cables
10.5 Methods of Cable Fault Location
10.6 Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR)
10.7 Impulse Reflection Method IRM)
10.8 Secondary Impulse Method (SIM)
10.9 Multiple Impulse Method (MIM)
10.10 Fault Distance from Cable End
10.11 Bridge Method (Wheatstone)
10.12 Cable Tracing
10.13 Cable Locator
10.14 Acoustic Fault Location
10.15 Propagation Time Measurement
10.16 Pin Pointing Set
10.17 Audio Frequency Twist Method
10.18 Cable Sheath Fault Location
10.19 Cable Test Va

Boost certificate of completion

BOOST's Professional Attendance Certificate “BPAC” is always given to the delegates after completing the training course, and depends on their attendance of the program at a rate of no less than 80%, besides their active participation and engagement during the program sessions.

ENDORSED EDUCATION PROVIDER

Flexible deadlines

Customized dates accordance to your schedule

Shareable Certificate

Earn certificate upon completion

COURSE METHODOLOGY

Our Training programs are implemented by combining the participants' academic knowledge and practical practice (30% theoretical / 70% practical activities).

At The end of the training program, Participants are involved in practical workshop to show their skills in applying what they were trained for. A detailed report is submitted to each participant and the training department in the organization on the results of the participant's performance and the return on training. Our programs focus on exercises, case studies, and individual and group presentations.

Download Company profile

Download Calendar

Trending Courses

The most bespoke and flexible training courses

Open courses table

May

- 05 -
Days

Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA Exam Preparation)

Jeddah, KSA

TRAINING COURSE: Power Cable Failure Analysis & Investigation Techniques