VLF Cable Testing

VLF cable testing, performed at a very low frequency of 0.01 Hz to 0.1 Hz, is a standardized and up-to-date method determining the condition of the cables in MV and HV networks. Compared to standard DC testing, it prevents damage to the insulation of aged extruded cables (typically XLPE) which causes a premature loss.
DC hipot testing has been also found ineffective in detecting serious defects. Due to these reasons, VLF AC waveform testing is recommended.
 

In order to fit the needs of all our clients, b2 electronics offers the widest range of VLF hipot test sets on the market,

• with test voltages from 28 kV to 200 kV (sine wave, DC or square wave) and
• output loads from 0.5 µF @ 0.1 Hz @ 20 kV_rms to 0.6 µF @ 0.1 Hz @ 141 kV_rms.

Compared to AC hipot test sets working at 50 or 60 Hz, VLF hipot test sets from b2 electronics are manufactured with a very small and lightweight design.
On the top of that, we offer a tailor-made b2 ControlCenter software, a powerful software solution for all HVA test sets in our portfolio.

The constant test frequency of VLF test sets allows simultaneous testing of dissipation factor / Tan Delta (TD) and Partial Discharge (PD), with reproducible results.
All of our VLF test sets are following guide IEEE 400.2 and are in compliance with standards HD 620 S1/A3 and IEC 60502-2 and their local derivations.

For close to 20 years we have developed and manufactured VLF high voltage systems for cable testing and diagnostics, serving power utilities and their supporting industries worldwide.