A leading resource for the cable industry

Transcription

1 SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden SP A leading resource for the cable industry SP is the leading product testing and certification body in Sweden. Our activities extend across a very wide range of product areas. Our resources, experience and cutting edge knowledge make us the ideal partner in testing and certification of cables.

2 World leading expertise in cable testing. At SP, we help with all your needs concerning testing and certification of cables. We have a new cutting edge facility for high voltage testing and deliver approvals within a large number of fields as well as compulsory fire safety CE-certification. We take active part in national Swedish as well as international standardization, enabling us to use novel test methods immediately after publication. This makes us the ideal partner to guide you through the entire testing and certification process. High voltage cables. High voltage cables are complex constructions that with today s voltages and applications are exposed to tremendous stresses and harsh handling and environments. Furthermore, the applications they serve often require extreme reliability in combination with low losses and low environmental impact. Altogether it has become increasingly important to be able to verify the properties of cable systems before it is deployed in application. A cable includes a conductor and insulation, and is suitable for being run underground or underwater. High-voltage cables of differing types have a variety of applications in instruments, ignition systems, and AC and DC power transmission. Regardless of the applications, the insulation of the cable must not deteriorate due to high-voltage stress, ozone produced by electric discharges in air, or tracking. The cable system must prevent contact of the highvoltage conductor with other objects or persons, and must contain and control leakage current. Cable joints and terminals must be designed to match the practics of the cable. Testing of high-voltage cables There are different causes for faulty cable insulations. Hence, there are various test and measurement methods to prove fully functional cables or to detect faulty ones. One needs to distinguish between cable testing and cable diagnostics. While cable testing methods result in a go/no go statement, cable diagnostic methods allow determination of the cables current condition. In some cases it is even possible to locate the position of the fault in the insulation. We have unique testing facilities and methods to perform various electrical tests on AC and DC transmission cables, cable systems or cable accessories based on our test facilities and our state-of-art measuring systems.

3 Cable fire testing. Fire properties of cables are of great importance in a fire safety perspective. Therefore cables have been included in the classification system under the European Construction Products Regulation (CPR). SP was responsible for proposing the classification system to the European Commission. The European CEMAC project (CE-Marking of Cables), for which SP Fire Research has provided technical management, has recently been concluded. In order to obtain a CE-mark the manufacturers would have to test their cables in accordance with EN and EN , and then get a classification report in accordance with EN We can assist you by grouping cables in product families in accordance with the EXAP standard EN This will considerably reduce the amount of tests needed. SP can guide you through the European system and assist you in obtaining the maximum amount of products approved based on a minimum number of tests. In addition SP also test cables for fire resistance, rolling stock applications (in accordance with EN ), shipping applications (in accordance with IMO-International Maritime Organization) as well as cable penetration systems. We also offer tools for modelling test results as part of the development process.

4 Advanced materials and structural engineering for mechanical performance of cables. With higher energy demands and increased need for connectivity in a globalized world, material, electric and mechanical performance becomes of high interest to the cable manufacturer. Developing energy distribution solutions for dynamic loads in a harsh environment requires the cutting edge expertise and technology. Being a third party technical research institute, we at SP have a strong capability and track record of providing a complete and cost effective solution in this area. In the area of advanced materials and mechanical engineering, we offer services that are supported by active research and large scale test facilities and thereby providing the industry with a strong capability for verifying cable performance to the industry. The SP test facility in Borås is a unique resource for multidisciplinary evaluation of cable structures. From a mechanical point of view, tensile testing is crucial in order to understand the performance both from a static and dynamic point of view. For large scale structures the test facility is equipped with heavy machinery that can apply compression and tensile loads to the strucure many times in combination with exposure to an external environment. Characterization of cables and cable bundles from small to large scale is accomplished through testing and modelling. The reliability of electrical cables, i.e. subsea cables, is of great importance and the failure of the cable does not just imply interrupted power production but also immediate economic impact. Therefore, a great endurance, especially at high flexural, torsional and axial loads, to ensure the service life and compatibility with the rest of the system is required. Testing of cables and harness components Cables We perform type tests of cables and evaluation of cable materials according to corporate standards and national and international standards. Examples of analyzes that we perform: Tensile tests and compressive tests in various temperatures Abrasion tests Impact tests Winding tests Durability in heat/moisture and different chemicals Strip force UV resistance Ozone resistance Electrical characteristics Mycological tests Harnesses We perform evaluations of cables, tapes, protective hoses and other components for harnesses dedicated for private cars, trucks, ships and railway. Marking systems We have developed a method for testing of marking sleeves. The method includes evaluation of durability, chemical resistance and mechanical properties. The method is also applicable for testing of other marking systems for cables. Heating cables Certain types of heating cables are used for frost protection inside tap water pipes. To avoid health problems, it is important that no changes are made in approved cable sheath materials. We perform regular supervisory controls on sheath material composition. Standardization We take active part in national Swedish as well as international standardization in the automotive cable field. By doing this we are in constant contact with car and cable manufacturers worldwide. It also enables us to use novel test methods immediately after publication. Cable Shield Measurement. We have recently started a new domain where we have seen an increased demand from industries for cable and connector shielding measurement. We can assist with transfer impedance testing according to standard IEC and IEC

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6 SP is a research institute with broad expertise in a wide variety of areas. We apply our internationally leading competence to the development and evaluation of technolo gies, material, products and processes to meet our customers needs and provide an effective link between research and commercialisation. We also play an important part in assisting the competitiveness in industry and its evolution towards sustainable development. Visit our website for more information. Contact: Anneli Burén Low voltage and Automotive Cables anneli.buren@sp.se Petra Lantz High voltage cables petra.lantz@sp.se SP INFO 2014:32