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Preventing Power Cable Failures: Causes, Diagnostics and Solutions

This two-day technical seminar will provide an in-depth understanding of the many reasons why underground power cables fail and what steps can be taken to improve cable reliability. Prevention of cable failures and improvement of cable reliability will be the main focus of the seminar.

High reliability of underground power cables is important for every utility. Cable failures have a drastic effect on the economy as well as customer satisfaction. Improved reliability by understanding why cables fail is important for every power cable user.

Who Should Attend

This seminar has been specifically designed for managers, engineers, technical personnel and consultants involved in asset management, asset condition assessment, asset strategies, forensic investigations, testing and diagnostics of high voltage underground power cables in the electrical supply sector and in other industries.

What’s Included

A bound set of notes will be provided. Snacks, refreshments and lunch will be freely available to all attendees. Contact S&C for hotel rate code after registration.

Customized Course at Your Facility

This seminar can be customized for presentation at your facility. Please contact us if you would like more information.

Instructors

Harry Orton, P.Eng.

Harry Orton graduated from the University of New South Wales with a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Electrical Engineering in 1966 and a Masters of Applied Science from the University of British Columbia in 1969. He graduated from the BCIT Venture Program in May, 1995.

After graduation in 1969, Harry worked at BC Hydro as an Electrical Research Engineer where he helped build one of the largest utility-based research centers in North America. For over twenty years he worked as a specialist in the field of underground power transmission and distribution cables and accessories. He progressed to the level of section supervisor in charge of Insulation Studies and then to Manager of Technical Activities. He has been a project manager on Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) and Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) in Palo Alto, California underground cable research projects since 1977 and was Chairman of the Cable Failure Task Force from 1987 until 1993.

In 1994, Harry went into his own consulting engineering business as an underground power cable specialist. He is now principle and owner of Orton Consulting Engineers International Ltd. based in Vancouver and affiliated with the International Consulting Engineers. Contract work takes him to the US, Asia and to Europe.

Seminar Agenda

Workshop starts at 8:30 AM and concludes at 3:00 PM. Lunch and snacks are provided. Attendees will receive an email about a week before the start of seminar that will provide more details on the course.

Topics covered in the seminar include:

  • Power Cable History
  • Manufacture of MV Cables
  • Manufacture of HV & EHV Cables
  • Cable Accessories
  • Cable Aging and Failures
  • Water Treeing and Electrical Treeing
  • Elevated Temperature Operation
  • Why Do Cables Fail?
  • Condition Assessment
  • Rejuvenation
  • Forensic Investigations — When All Else Fails!
  • Cable Diagnostics
  • Commercial Diagnostics