INDUSTRY NEED
Pipe-type cable systems may be buried, but they are not dead! They have a long, reliable history and continued to be installed today even as XLPE cables gain popularity. The unique as-pects of pipe-type cable systems require special considerations, and many utilities have lost the senior level experience necessary to design, op-erate and maintain these systems. This course focuses on the design, ampacity, specifications, installation, uprating, maintenance practices, dielectric fluid-handling systems, and life evaluations of both high-pressure gas-filled (HPGF) cables and high-pressure fluid-filled (HPFF) cables.
COURSE OBJECTIVE AND SUMMARY
The course will explain the unique aspects of pipe-type cables as compared to other cable types and then discuss various topics regarding the reliable operation of these systems including cathodic protection systems, pumping plant requirements, dissolved gas analysis (DGA), cable ampacity, uprating methods using fluid circulation and forced-cooling, and several other topics relevant to pipe cables.
Expected Learning Objectives / Outcomes
PDC has identified learning objectives we expect each student to obtain on completion of this course. The student completing this course should be able to:
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
This course will be valuable to engineers and field personnel responsible for planning, designing, operating, or maintaining pipe-type cable circuits. An engineering degree is helpful, but is not required for this course.
COURSE OUTLINE
INSTRUCTOR:
Eriks Surmanis, Senior Engineer:
Prior to joining PDC, Mr. Surmanis was the manager of the Transmission Line Construction and Maintenance department at a major Northeastern utility, which included almost 400 miles of underground transmission cables. Since joining PDC, he has worked on many pipe-type cable projects, including the condition assessment of pressurizing plants after damage from Hurricane Sandy, reviews of hydraulic systems for other utilities in the Northeast and Midwest, pipe-type cable relocations in the Midwest as well as assisting on leak location and repair efforts.
Pipe-type cable systems may be buried, but they are not dead! They have a long, reliable history and continued to be installed today even as XLPE cables gain popularity. The unique as-pects of pipe-type cable systems require special considerations, and many utilities have lost the senior level experience necessary to design, op-erate and maintain these systems. This course focuses on the design, ampacity, specifications, installation, uprating, maintenance practices, dielectric fluid-handling systems, and life evaluations of both high-pressure gas-filled (HPGF) cables and high-pressure fluid-filled (HPFF) cables.
COURSE OBJECTIVE AND SUMMARY
The course will explain the unique aspects of pipe-type cables as compared to other cable types and then discuss various topics regarding the reliable operation of these systems including cathodic protection systems, pumping plant requirements, dissolved gas analysis (DGA), cable ampacity, uprating methods using fluid circulation and forced-cooling, and several other topics relevant to pipe cables.
Expected Learning Objectives / Outcomes
PDC has identified learning objectives we expect each student to obtain on completion of this course. The student completing this course should be able to:
- Understand the major transmission cable types and how the others differ from pipe-type cables.
- Understand the basic steps in pipe-type cable design and installation.
- Describe the importance and basic operation of a pressurization plant for pipe-type cable.
- Understand the impact of electrical and hydraulic failures on pipe-type cable operation.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
This course will be valuable to engineers and field personnel responsible for planning, designing, operating, or maintaining pipe-type cable circuits. An engineering degree is helpful, but is not required for this course.
COURSE OUTLINE
- Industry review: history, suppliers, users, contractors
- Components, materials. Copper vs. aluminum, Kraft paper vs. PPP, dielectric fluids - liquids, N2, SF6, pipe sizes/coatings, etc.
- Engineering Design Requirements: impedances, ampacity calculations, pulling tensions, hydraulic calculations
- Pipe-type cable specifications and standards
- Manufacturing and quality control
- Accessories: splices/manholes, terminations, cathodic protection
- Installation; civil work; pipe welding and testing, special backfills, vacuum and pressure test levels.
- Trenchless Installations
- Cable installation: special equipment; pulling, night caps, splicing, terminations, evacuation, fluid filling
- Hydraulic system; design principles, details, installation, operation.
- Cooling Systems
- Electrical and hydraulic failures; effects, location, repair
- Operation and Maintenance
- Leak Detection / Location, Temperature Monitoring, Uprating, Dynamic Rating; the future of HPFF cable systems
INSTRUCTOR:
Eriks Surmanis, Senior Engineer:
Prior to joining PDC, Mr. Surmanis was the manager of the Transmission Line Construction and Maintenance department at a major Northeastern utility, which included almost 400 miles of underground transmission cables. Since joining PDC, he has worked on many pipe-type cable projects, including the condition assessment of pressurizing plants after damage from Hurricane Sandy, reviews of hydraulic systems for other utilities in the Northeast and Midwest, pipe-type cable relocations in the Midwest as well as assisting on leak location and repair efforts.