cds series primary cable fault location basics

ISO 9001 2015 The World’s Source for High Voltage Test Equipment MADE IN THE USA

High Voltage, Inc. • hvinc.com • p. 518.329.3275 • f. 518.329.3271 • 31 County Route 7A • Copake, NY 12516 USA

CDS Series Primary Cable Fault Location Basics

Using the CDS series and TDR‐1669 Time Domain Reflectometer



DisclaimerThis guide for the High Voltage, Inc. CDS Series of Primary Cable Fault

Locators is meant to be for reference only. The instructions are intended to be clear and simple, but the operator must be trained and qualified according to the established procedures required for the use of this type of equipment per your organization. Be sure to wear all applicable PPE and adhere to all safety rules and procedures per your organization.

Before operating any primary cable fault locator, consult the operators manual.



Setting Up the Primary Cable Fault Locator

CRR‐100TCable Reels

CDS‐3632UOr

CDS‐3616UCDS‐2010U



Unravel the cables from the thumper or cable reels

Cables on CDS‐2010U

Cable reels for vehicle mounted primary fault location systems



Attach the ground cable to the earth rod ground of the cable system to be tested



• If using a vehicle mounted fault locator with cable reels, insert the crimped lug of the ground cable into the chassis grounding clamp to ground the vehicle to the thumper and cable system under test.

• The lugs are installed every 10 feet down the length of the ground cable.

• It may be advisable to drive a ground rod near the vehicle and connect to the chassis grounding clamp to eliminate any step potential between the vehicle and earth under the vehicle



Connect the High Voltage and Return Cables

• Connect to the neutral of the cable under test.

• Connect as close as possible to the cable

• Connect to the center conductor of the cable under test.

• You may need a parking stand or feed through bushing to make this connection.



If using a cable reel, connect the return cable from the primary cable fault locator to the return stud on the cable reel



• Connect the high voltage output MC connector from the primary cable fault locator to the high voltage connection on the cable reel.

• Special note: to disconnect this MC connection, you must push in, then pull out. If you pull first, you will make the connection tighter.



Setting up the Time Domain Reflectometer

TDR‐1669 from Radar Engineers



Ground the Time Domain Reflectometer

Connect the ground lug on the TDR to the ground lug on the side of the primary cable fault locator



• Connect one side of the BNC interconnect cable to the “SIGNAL” connection on the side of the primary cable fault locator.

• Connections on the right side of the CDS‐3632U and CDS‐3616U

• Connections on the left side of the CDS‐2010U



Connect the opposite end of the BNC interconnect cable to the “TDR” connection



Connect the molded input power connector into the connection on the back of the Time Domain Reflectometer



• Connect the opposite side of the molded power cable into the “Auxiliary Power” outlet on the side of the primary cable fault locator

• Connections on the right side of the CDS‐3632U and CDS‐3616U

• Connections on the left side of the CDS‐2010U



Operating the EquipmentPower Up/Operational Features

TDR‐1669

CDS‐3632UOr




Connect the input power cable for the CDS primary cable fault locator

• CDS‐3632U and CDS‐3616U require 120Vac, 50/60Hz, 25A

• CDS‐3632UF and CDS‐3616UF require 230Vac, 50/60Hz, 12A

• CDS‐2010U requires 120Vac, 50/60Hz, 20A

• CDS‐2010UF requires 230Vac, 50/60Hz, 10A



Turn on the main power breaker switch



Emergency Stop Button

• Push in to quickly turn off the high voltage circuit and ground the output using the internal grounding solenoid.

• Twist clockwise to disengage the emergency stop button.



Zero Start Interlock

HV Start will not function HV Start will function



External Interlock Provisions• Must be installed for

equipment to operate

• External Interlock socket provides a safety interlock to disable the high voltage control circuits.

• A normally closed switch from a test cage or foot switch can be wired to this connector to provide access control or electrical lockout ability.



Heater Circuit

The HEATER circuit provides assistance in keeping the internal components from accumulating moisture in damp environments.



Operating the EquipmentHipot/Burn

TDR‐1669

CDS‐3632UOr




Set the Operating Mode switch to Hipot/Burn



Choose the best voltage Output Tap for your application

• Most cable faults do not hold back more than a few kV

• Start low and work up• More burn current is offered in the lower kV Taps



Make sure the Voltage Raise knob is at 0



Press high voltage Start



Turn the Output Adjust knob clockwise while monitoring the Voltmeter until the desired test voltage has been reached



Watch the Current Meter

Low and stable current meter movement, cable is holding the desired test voltage

High and erratic current meter movement, cable is faulted



Burn/Condition the Cable Fault

Erratic and elevated current meter movement, fault needs to be conditioned

Stable and elevated current meter movement, fault has been conditioned



Return the Voltage Raise knob to 0



Press high voltage Stop



Operating the EquipmentTDR/Arc Reflection Method

TDR‐1669

CDS‐3632UOr




Place the Operating Mode switch into the Cap Discharge Position



Coupler Mode Switch to Radar



Set the Discharge Mode Switch to the Middle Position

• The middle position of the Discharge Mode switch is an inert position

• When ready, you will need to push the switch up to the momentary Single Pulse position

• The Continuous position interlocked out in Radar position of the Coupler Mode switch



Turn on the Time Domain Reflectometer



After the TDR boots up, it will auto‐analyze the cable under test



The TDR will automatically choose the best parameters and place the R. Marker at end of cable



Press the Arc Refl. Button on the TDR



The TDR will hold the red reference trace and wait for the impulse from the primary cable fault locator





• Start low and work up



Make sure the Voltage Raise knob is at 0



Trigger the Impulse

Press the Discharge Mode momentary switch up to trigger the impulse



The TDR will automatically place the R. Marker at the location of the fault and report the distance



Return the Voltage Raise knob to 0, let the voltage bleed down to near 0 on the Voltmeter



Operating the EquipmentDirect Impulse/Pinpoint Location

TDR‐1669

CDS‐3632UOr




Place the Operating Mode switch into the Cap Discharge Position



Coupler Mode Switch to Direct





• Start low and work up



Discharge Mode Switch to Continous



Adjust the Discharge Timing to taste

• CDS‐36 Series, 6‐10 seconds

• CDS‐20 Series, 3‐9 seconds



When the Fault Locator DischargesThe voltmeter will quickly drop then

slowly rise to the previously set voltage until the next impulse

The current meter will quickly spike then slowly drop to a lower steady state until

the next impulse



Return the Voltage Raise knob to 0, let the voltage bleed down to near 0 on the Voltmeter



Questions?

cds series primary cable fault location basics

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