Underground XLPE coaxial cable length calculation and fault detection based on broadband impedance spectroscopy

Abstract Accurately determining the tested cable’s total length is important in cable fault detection and localization. Therefore, an iterative method of relative propagation coefficients based on broadband impedance spectroscopy is proposed to solve the actual length of the cable and a phase difference integral transform method for fault detection. First, the overall detection process framework is designed. Then, the cable distribution parameter model and the characteristics of the input impedance spectroscopy are analyzed. The calculation methods for determining the cable length and propagation coefficients are explained, followed by a demonstration of the fault localization process. Finally, the model LCR1000A impedance analyzer is used to measure cable length and actual faults in cables with lengths of 35 m, 100 m, and 500 m. The final fault location error is less than 0.67%, proving that the method can calculate the length of cables and various fault point locations.