Monitoring Cable current and Laying Environment Parameters for Assessing the Aging Rate of MV Cable Joint Insulation

Joints are critical components of MV cable distribution networks and the aging rate of their insulation is particularly sensitive to temperature due to loading current and laying environment parameters. This makes it very useful to monitor the load current and laying environment parameters (humidity, pressure and temperature) of joints, so as to single out conditions that might accelerate joint insulation aging rate critically. This paper illustrates the installation of humidity, pressure, current and temperature sensors - in a partnership between e-distribuzione (the main DSO in Italy) and the University of Bologna - to assess the aging rate of cable joint insulation in underground distribution networks.