Bend setup for submarine power cables
Bend setup for submarine power cables
Preventing overbending is a critical factor in extending the lifetime of submarine power cables. The capabilities of fiber optic based monitoring techniques have been shown, but its potential of detecting submarine power cable bending remain unclear.
Features
- The submarine power cable sample is 5 m long and has a diameter of about 200 mm. It is designed to transport 245 kV AC.
- The maximum attainable central displacement is 300 mm, corresponding to a bending radius of 3.6 m (very close to the minimum bending radius).
- The power cable is heated with an external current source to mimic in-field conditions: the power cores can heat up to 80 degrees C.
- Frequencies relevant for offshore applications are probed (25-1000 mHz).
- The shape of the power cable is monitored with optical markers that are tracked by a 3D camera with measuring area 2450 x 3000 mm.