Underground Cable – Replacement & Underground Cable – Replacement & RejuvenationRejuvenation

Presented by

John Gilkey

May 7, 2009

Introduction

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PSO Policy for Replacement• PSO’s Underground PSO’s Underground

Cable Replacement Cable Replacement guideline is to remove guideline is to remove from service those direct from service those direct buried cables that buried cables that exhibit exhibit unacceptable unacceptable performanceperformance.. • Unacceptable Unacceptable

performanceperformance is based on is based on the number and frequency the number and frequency of cable failures, and takes of cable failures, and takes into account the into account the underground system underground system configuration.configuration.

Causes for Failure• Lightning• Soil Conditions –• Sand• Dig-ins / other utilities • Previous installations of

splices

Repair/Replacement Guidelines• Replace if neutral bad –Replace if neutral bad –• Replace after 3 splicesReplace after 3 splices• Replace Replace allall riser/dip runs riser/dip runs• Replace if fault is in a Replace if fault is in a

difficult location difficult location • Always replace Always replace secondarysecondary

non jacketed concentric non jacketed concentric neutralsneutrals

AEP Corporate Recommendations for Injection – Short Term Goals

• IdentifyIdentify the oldest, most the oldest, most problematic sections of URD problematic sections of URD cable.cable.

• ReplaceReplace these, including these, including splices, terminations and splices, terminations and accessories using the least accessories using the least invasive method(s).invasive method(s).

• InjectInject onlyonly in those cases in those cases where the cable is judged to where the cable is judged to be of modern type & be of modern type & relatively splice-free, but relatively splice-free, but extremely difficult or extremely difficult or extremely costly to replace. extremely costly to replace.

AEP Corporate Recommendations for Injection - Long Term Goals

• Develop a comprehensive Develop a comprehensive databasedatabase to track cables to track cables (and other equipment) from (and other equipment) from installation to retirement.installation to retirement.

• Accelerate efforts to develop Accelerate efforts to develop a comprehensive a comprehensive cable cable testing and condition testing and condition assessment programassessment program..

• Develop criteria for Develop criteria for economic analysiseconomic analysis of cable of cable testing vs. replacement vs. testing vs. replacement vs. injection to determine long injection to determine long term values of programs.term values of programs.

PSO / AEP Ohio Experience • PSOPSO

• Utilix / CableCureUtilix / CableCure• Notable successNotable success

• Other AEP Other AEP • Utilix / CableCureUtilix / CableCure

• AEP OhioAEP Ohio• Utilix / CableCure – NoviniumUtilix / CableCure – Novinium

Discussion & Questions

Underground Cable – Replacement & Rejuvenation