Cable Fault Analysis

Causes of Faults

The report uses anonymised fault data to characterise the risk environment for new cables based on actual faults on existing and out of service cables in that region. Our services thereby provide peace of mind to all commercial and technical staff at all system purchaser levels that the new cable system has been designed with complete knowledge, from historical data, of the real risks it faces and that all possible steps have been taken to mitigate those risks.

EXAMPLE REPORT STRUCTURE

Introduction

Description of the area, the fault records found and the aim of the report.

Data Analysis

• Calculation of an expected fault rate for the region and the planned cable system.
• Fault rate for different kinds of cables (if applicable).
• Change in fault frequency and types over time.
• Presentation and discussion of the report findings, with easy-to-read summaries.

Conclusions

Identification of the most likely causes of faults for a new cable in the region studied. If information on the expected protection measures is provided by the client then a high level commentary on the likely effectiveness of these measures and the resultant residual risk can be provided.

Recent Experience

• Studying faults over several decades in the English Channel to advise on the client’s proposed route and protection strategies.
• Producing a Fault Analysis for an area of the Baltic to feed in to a desk top study produced by a third party.
• Analysing faults for an area offshore of Canada and producing a report for inclusion in a FEED study for a new cable.