Assessment of high voltage underground XLPE cables at Tenaga Nasional Berhad Distribution Division (TNBD) Kangar / Noor Suhaila Hat

This paper illustrate the case study on condition assessment of high voltage underground XLPE cables atTenagaNasionalBerhad Distribution Division (TNBD)Kangar. The study is focusing on possible relationship between three routine maintenance tests and the performance of underground high voltage XLPE cables. The tests are insulation resistance (IR) test, dielectric absorption ratio (DAR) test and also partial discharge (PD) test. The aim of this project is to make an assessment on the condition of existing high voltage underground XLPE cables that are used by TNBD Kangar in Perlis. TNB is in the process on eliminating and changing the PILC cables that have been used since long time ago into XLPE cables. Recently, there are several theories on the relationship between partial discharges and degradation of cables has been published. This is because of the rapid development, particularly in urban areas that causes the electric city transmission by using the overhead line system approach is less appropriate. As an alternative,the under ground system is becoming more necessary toreplace some of the overhead line for power transmission and distribution. It is known that partial discharges are able to degrade cable system.At the end of this paper, we can see the data of the performances of XLPE cables that had been used at TNBDKangar from the tests that are used as a part of routine maintenance at TNBD Kangar. Finally, based on the assessed results from the tests the condition of the high voltage underground XLPE cables can be observed in order to make decision for the maintenance of the high voltage underground XLPE cables.