Validating Reliability Improvements of New Cable Designs – A Case Study of 600 V Self Sealing Cables

Utilities and Manufacturers continually deploy new technologies on their systems with the goal of either providing new functionality or improving reliability. Although these devices can be tested in the lab, these results need to be confirmed by field experience. The traditional anonymous Control group approach is often not possible in the Utility context as installations are made when possible and older technologies remain active. This paper describes a technique that the authors have developed for use on Utility systems to validate the performance of a range of technologies (Reclosers, Transformers, Meters, Lighting etc). In this document the process is illustrated using a new design of LV cable.