IEC 60885-3:2015

Electrical test methods for electric cables - Part 3: Test methods for partial discharge measurements on lengths of extruded power cables

IEC 60885-3:2015 specifies the test methods for partial discharge (PD) measurements on lengths of extruded power cable, but does not include measurements made on installed cable systems. Reference is made to IEC 60270 which gives the techniques and considerations applicable to partial discharge measurements in general. This second edition of IEC 60885-3 cancels and replaces the first edition, published in 1988 and constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- The definition of sensitivity as twice the background noise level has been removed and replaced by a practical assessment of sensitivity based on the minimum level of detectable discharge.
- References to measurements of pulse heights in mm on an oscilloscope have been replaced by measurements of partial discharge magnitude in pC.
- The order of the clauses has been revised in line with the general numbering scheme of IEC standards and to provide clarity in order to facilitate its practical use. Section 3 of the first edition (Application guide) has been removed as it is considered that background information is better obtained from the original references as listed in the bibliography.

Méthode d'essais électriques pour les cables électriques - Partie 3: Méthodes d'essais pour la mesure des décharges partielles sur des longueurs de câbles de puissance extrudés

IEC 60885-3:2015 spécifie les méthodes d'essai pour les mesures des décharges partielles sur des longueurs de câbles de puissance extrudés, mais ne traite pas des mesures effectuées sur des systèmes de câbles installés. Il est fait référence à l'IEC 60270 qui donne les techniques et considérations générales applicables aux mesures des décharges partielles. Cette deuxième édition de l'IEC 60885-3 annule et remplace la première édition parue en 1988. Cette édition constitue une révision technique. Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l'édition précédente:
- La définition de la sensibilité considérée comme le double du niveau de bruit de fond a été supprimée et remplacée par une évaluation pratique de la sensibilité en fonction du niveau minimum de décharge détectable.
- Les références aux mesures des hauteurs d'impulsions en mm sur un oscilloscope ont été remplacées par des mesures de la grandeur de la décharge partielle en pC.
- L'ordre des articles a été révisé pour reprendre le schéma de numérotation général des normes de l'IEC et pour clarifier le texte pour en faciliter l'utilisation pratique. La Section 3 de la première édition (Guide d'application) a été supprimée car il est considéré que les références originales telles qu'énumérées dans la bibliographie fournissent des informations de meilleure qualité sur l'environnement technique.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 08-Apr-2015
• ICS: 01 - GENERALITIES. TERMINOLOGY. STANDARDIZATION. DOCUMENTATION
• ICS: 29.060.20 - Cables
• Technical Committee: TC 20 - Electric cables
• Drafting Committee: WG 16 - TC 20/WG 16
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 30-Apr-2015
• Completion Date: 09-Apr-2015

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 60885-3 ®
Edition 2.0 2015-04
REDLINE VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Electrical test methods for electric cables –
Part 3: Test methods for partial discharge measurements on lengths of extruded
power cables
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from
either IEC or IEC's member National Committee in the country of the requester. If you have any questions about IEC
copyright or have an enquiry about obtaining additional rights to this publication, please contact the address below or
your local IEC member National Committee for further information.

IEC Central Office Tel.: [phone]
3, rue de Varembé Fax: [phone]
CH-1211 Geneva 20 [e-mail]
Switzerland www.iec.ch
About the IEC
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the leading global organization that prepares and publishes
International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

About IEC publications
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latest edition, a corrigenda or an amendment might have been published.

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IEC 60885-3 ®
Edition 2.0 2015-04
REDLINE VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Electrical test methods for electric cables –

Part 3: Test methods for partial discharge measurements on lengths of extruded

power cables
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 29.060.20 ISBN 978-2-8322-2617-9

– 2 – IEC 60885-3:2015 RLV © IEC 2015
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
1 SECTION ONE – GENERAL .
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
2 SECTION TWO – PARTIAL DISCHARGE TESTS .
3 Terms, definitions and symbols. 6
3.1 Terms and definitions . 6
3.2 Symbols used in Figures 1 to 14 . 6
4 Overview . 7
4.1 General . 7
4.2 Object . 7
4.3 Problem of superposition of travelling waves for long lengths . 7
5 Partial discharge tests . 10
5.1 Test apparatus . 10
5.1.1 Equipment . 10
5.1.2 Test circuit and instruments . 10
5.1.3 Double pulse generator . 10
5.1.4 Terminal impedance (characteristic impedance) . 10
5.1.5 Reflection suppressor . 10
5.2 Setting up the test circuit . 11
5.2.1 Determination of characteristic properties of the test circuit . 11
5.2.2 Terminal impedance . 11
5.2.3 Superposition Determination of superposition of travelling waves . 11
5.2.4 Reflection suppressor . 11
5.2.5 Calibration charge of the measuring system in the complete test circuit . 11
5.2.6 Sensitivity . 12
5.3 Measurement procedures . 12
5.3.1 General . 13
5.3.2 Short cable lengths including type test lengths . 13
5.3.3 Long cable lengths tested without a terminal impedance . 14
5.3.4 Long cable lengths tested with a terminal impedance . 15
5.3.5 Long cable lengths tested with a reflection suppressor . 16
5.4 Voltage levels/partial discharge limits . 17
5.5 Double pulse behaviour and plotting the double pulse diagram . 17
5.6 Requirements for the terminal impedance . 18
5.6.1 General . 18
5.6.2 RC element . 18
5.6.3 RLC element series resonance circuit . 19
3 SECTION THREE – APPLICATION GUIDE.
3.1 Background information .
3.1.1 Introduction .
3.1.2 Superposition and attenuation .
3.2 Procedures and parameters .
3.2.1 Determination of characteristic properties of the test circuit (see 2.3) .
3.2.2 Measurement procedures (see 2.4) .

Bibliography . 31
LIST OF SYMBOLS .

Figure 1 – Discharge site exactly at the cable end remote from the detector (x = l) . 7
Figure 2 – Discharge site at a distance x = x – Travelling waves . 8
Figure 3 – Attenuation of PD pulses along the cable . 8
Figure 4 – Superposition and attenuation of PD pulses . 9
Figure 5 – Input unit Z connected in series with the coupling capacitor, C . 20
A K
Figure 6 – Input unit Z connected in series with the cable, C . 20
A x
Figure 7 – Bridge circuit . 20
Figure 8 – Connection of the terminal impedance Z . 21
w
Figure 9 – Connection of the reflection suppressor, RS . 21
Figure 10 – Connection of the double pulse generator into the measuring circuit in
Figure 5 . 21
Figure 11 – Double pulse diagram type 1 without negative superposition . 22
Figure 12 – Double pulse diagram type 2 with negative superposition between t and t . 22
1 2
Figure 13 – Double pulse diagram type 3 with negative and positive superpositions
between t and t . 22
1 2
Figure 14 – Connection of the double pulse generator for the test circuit in Figure 9
with the reflection suppressor . 23
Figure 15 – Maximum attenuation error, both cable ends connected together .
Figure 16 – Maximum attenuation error at the centre of the cable if measurements are
made from both ends .
Figure 17 – Double pulse diagram type 2. Negative superposition between l1 and l2
(forbidden length). .
Figure 18 – Measurement from both ends to avoid negative error .
Figure 19 – Negative superposition for 2l1 < l < 2l2 .
Figure 20 – Only positive superposition for l < 2l1 .

– 4 – IEC 60885-3:2015 RLV © IEC 2015
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
ELECTRICAL TEST METHODS FOR ELECTRIC CABLES –

Part 3: Test methods for partial discharge measurements
on lengths of extruded power cables

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications,
Technical Reports, Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC
Publication(s)”). Their preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested
in the subject dealt with may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-
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7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, e
...

IEC 60885-3 ®
Edition 2.0 2015-04
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Electrical test methods for electric cables –
Part 3: Test methods for partial discharge measurements on lengths of extruded
power cables
Méthodes d'essais électriques pour les câbles électriques –
Partie 3: Méthodes d'essais pour la mesure des décharges partielles sur des
longueurs de câbles de puissance extrudés

All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from
either IEC or IEC's member National Committee in the country of the requester. If you have any questions about IEC
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About the IEC
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the leading global organization that prepares and publishes
International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

About IEC publications
The technical content of IEC publications is kept under constant review by the IEC. Please make sure that you have the
latest edition, a corrigenda or an amendment might have been published.

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Technical Specifications, Technical Reports and other definitions in English and French, with equivalent terms in 15
documents. Available for PC, Mac OS, Android Tablets and additional languages. Also known as the International
iPad. Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) online.

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The advanced search enables to find IEC publications by a More than 60 000 electrotechnical terminology entries in
variety of criteria (reference number, text, technical English and French extracted from the Terms and Definitions
committee,…). It also gives information on projects, replaced clause of IEC publications issued since 2002. Some entries
and withdrawn publications. have been collected from earlier publications of IEC TC 37,

77, 86 and CISPR.
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IEC 60885-3 ®
Edition 2.0 2015-04
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Electrical test methods for electric cables –

Part 3: Test methods for partial discharge measurements on lengths of extruded

power cables
Méthodes d'essais électriques pour les câbles électriques –

Partie 3: Méthodes d'essais pour la mesure des décharges partielles sur des

longueurs de câbles de puissance extrudés

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 29.060.20 ISBN 978-2-8322-2582-0

– 2 – IEC 60885-3:2015 © IEC 2015
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references. 6
3 Terms, definitions and symbols . 6
3.1 Terms and definitions . 6
3.2 Symbols used in Figures 1 to 14 . 6
4 Overview . 7
4.1 General . 7
4.2 Object . 7
4.3 Problem of superposition of travelling waves for long lengths . 7
5 Partial discharge tests . 10
5.1 Test apparatus . 10
5.1.1 Equipment . 10
5.1.2 Test circuit and instruments. 10
5.1.3 Double pulse generator . 10
5.1.4 Terminal impedance . 10
5.1.5 Reflection suppressor . 10
5.2 Setting up the test circuit . 10
5.2.1 Determination of characteristic properties of the test circuit . 10
5.2.2 Terminal impedance . 10
5.2.3 Determination of superposition of travelling waves . 11
5.2.4 Reflection suppressor . 11
5.2.5 Calibration of the measuring system in the complete test circuit . 11
5.2.6 Sensitivity . 11
5.3 Measurement procedures . 11
5.3.1 General . 11
5.3.2 Short cable lengths including type test lengths . 12
5.3.3 Long cable lengths tested without a terminal impedance . 12
5.3.4 Long cable lengths tested with a terminal impedance . 13
5.3.5 Long cable lengths tested with a reflection suppressor . 14
5.4 Voltage levels/partial discharge limits . 15
5.5 Double pulse behaviour and plotting the double pulse diagram . 15
5.6 Requirements for the terminal impedance . 16
5.6.1 General . 16
5.6.2 RC element . 16
5.6.3 RLC element series resonance circuit . 17
Bibliography . 21

Figure 1 – Discharge site exactly at the cable end remote from the detector (x = l) . 7
Figure 2 – Discharge site at a distance x = x – Travelling waves . 8
Figure 3 – Attenuation of PD pulses along the cable . 8
Figure 4 – Superposition and attenuation of PD pulses . 9
Figure 5 – Input unit Z connected in series with the coupling capacitor, C . 17
A K
Figure 6 – Input unit Z connected in series with the cable, C . 18
A x
Figure 7 – Bridge circuit . 18

Figure 8 – Connection of the terminal impedance Z . 18
w
Figure 9 – Connection of the reflection suppressor, RS . 19
Figure 10 – Connection of the double pulse generator into the measuring circuit in
Figure 5 . 19
Figure 11 – Double pulse diagram type 1 without negative superposition . 19
Figure 12 – Double pulse diagram type 2 with negative superposition between t and t . 20
1 2
Figure 13 – Double pulse diagram type 3 with negative and positive superpositions
between t and t . 20
1 2
Figure 14 – Connection of the double pulse generator for the test circuit in Figure 9
with the reflection suppressor . 20

– 4 – IEC 60885-3:2015 © IEC 2015
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
ELECTRICAL TEST METHODS FOR ELECTRIC CABLES –

Part 3: Test methods for partial discharge measurements
on lengths of extruded power cables

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications,
Technical Reports, Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC
Publication(s)”). Their preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested
in the subject dealt with may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-
governmental organizations liaising with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely
with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by
agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publicati
...