Conductometric method of nondestructive testing of electric cable parameters

The relevance of the study lies in the need to ensure high reliability and troublefree operation of electric cables for power transmission lines and high-frequency information signals by non-destructive testing of their parameters. Objective . To propose a new method for comprehensive diagnostics of electric cables, which allows increasing the efficiency of nondestructive testing of electric cable parameters by increasing the accuracy of testing and increasing the number of simultaneously monitored parameters. Methods . Basic methods of theoretical electrical engineering were used for the theoretical justification of the new method, and digital systems for processing complex parameters of information signals were used in the development of circuit solutions. Results . A conductometric method for non-destructive testing of parameters of the main cable elements has been developed and theoretically substantiated. For testing, two detachable cylindrical electrodes are applied to the examined section of a round metal core with dielectric insulation, which together with the examined part of the wire form a conductometric cell. It is shown that the electrical capacitance of this cell characterizes the electrical parameters of the wire, which are obtained from the measured information signal using the quadrature demodulation method. A structural block diagram for implementing this method has been developed. It is shown that the proposed technical solution allows recording an electric signal containing information on the current electric parameters of the controlled section of the electric cable, by which it is possible to assess the technical condition of its conductive elements and insulation. Based on this method, a method for operational tolerance control of the parameters of electric cables has been developed using the parameters of the reference section of the final length of the controlled cable without defects as a basic criterion. Conclusion . The use of detachable metal cylinders as electrodes allows using these control methods both in cable manufacturing and on existing cable lines without violating their integrity in real time.