Embedded Semicon in Insulation during Cutback at a Wind Farm
By: IMCORP
Posted in: Workmanship, Wind, Generation, Cable
The cable displayed here was compromised as a result of the misuse of an insulation-stripping tool when being installed at a wind farm. At the insulation cutback, the contractor had inadvertently cut too deep, resulting in a small slice of semi-con material being embedded in the insulation. The slice was right at the original cutback in the XLPE and was not easily detected visually. The IMCORP's Factory Grade® technology detected the PD activity, but the cause was difficult to determine. After several failed attempts to fix the issue, the insulation cutback was redone. The compromised section of the XLPE was exposed when the insulation cutback was re-made, identifying the cause of the PD activity. This image was captured after the semi-con had been cut back farther.
