IMCORP

DEFECT BLOG

Each year, millions of people and thousands of businesses are impacted by underground cable system failures. IMCORP is dedicated to advancing the understanding of how these failures occur and more importantly, how they can be avoided.

Jul 30 2012

Improper Semicon Cutback On A Cold Shrink Termination

By: IMCORP

 

The above image, taken at a nuclear power plant, shows a jagged semicon cutback on an open-air cold shrink termination. The cable owner first used Tangent Delta (TD) and Very Low Frequency (VLF) tests believing these were sufficient to assure reliability.  They also used the IMCORP Factory Grade® technology as a final check.  The TD and VLF tests indicated that everything was installed correctly and the system was free of defects. However, the IMCORP Factory Grade® technology pinpointed substandard PD activity at one of the terminations a level slightly over the operating voltage. The cable owner was very concerned since the technician and the inspector did not recognize the defect during the installation but was pleased that that the IMCORP Factory Grade® assessment could pinpoint this serious defect.  This nuclear plant owner now specifies the IMCORP Factory Grade® technology.