Research Content

Research content for distribution underground

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HMWPE has higher failure rates than EPR, WTRXLPE & XLPE - Link WTRXLPE has lower failure rates than XLPE - Link Jacketed cables have lower failure rates than unjacketed - Link Conduit / Duct installed cables have lower failure rates than direct buried - Link Approximately 65% of cables are installed in conduit WTRXLPE insulated cables make up more than 75% of the cables currently being installed There is much useful information contained in the EPRI Bronze Book - Bronze Book | Bronze Book (epri.com) The estimated (US fleet) failure rate for distribution line components (combined cable, joints, terminations, excluding Third Party Damage): 1.7 fails / 100 conductor miles / year - Link Cables make up >50% of the failures experienced by utilitiesLink 37% of the US distribution grid is installed underground Link Approximately 35% of the US distribution grid is comprised of HMWPE & XLPE insulated cables Link EPRI has resources from its Utility Information Exchanges on inspection of underground padmount equipment - P180.002 Underground Padmounted Equipment Inspection - July 28, 2022 | Utility Information Exchange (epri.com) Link Advances in Accessory and Cable Technologies has been discussed in the UDIG group (UDIG is a utility group focused on identifying approaches to proactive undergrounding that identify potential to cost reductions across the full life cycle). - Meeting Information | Meeting Information (epri.com) Link There are many exciting trenchless technologies available to utilities - Trenchless Technologies for Undergrounding | Meeting Information (epri.com) Link Training on low voltage secondary network systems available through EPRI U - Network Training | Network Training (epri.com) Link EPRI has a large repository of utility practices that can assist the operating of underground systems - About the Repository | Underground Practices Repository (epri.com) Link


Research Content by Topic

Equipment

Evaluation of diagnostic techniques, remote monitors, degradation and failure modes on underground equipment

Cables and Accessories

Life-cycle performance of cables, joints, terminations, and separable connectors

Structures

Research on causes; evaluation of mitigation options and monitoring systems

Knowledge

Compilation of underground practices and training

Diagnostics

Research / Standards / White
Papers on the use of diagnostics for Underground Distribution Systems

Publications

Compilation of public publications related to underground distribution

Reliability / Failures

Failures of cables, joints, terminations, and separable connectors