C37D – Submarine Cables, meeting Monday, October 21, 2024 from 3:30 – 5:30 PM, will include the following presentation:

Challenge of TDR and Murray Bridge Fingerprint on world’s longest HVDC cable, by Manfred Bawart, BAUR GmbH

The presentation highlights the application of TDR fingerprints on the Viking Link, which spans an impressive 761 km. This marks the first time TDR has been employed on such an exceptional cable length. A comprehensive analysis of the joint positions once again revealed non- linear pulse propagation, which could significantly impact the accuracy of distance measurements for fault location.

To address this challenge and enhance the preparedness plan, numerous cable joints were measured along the entire length of the cable, enabling the individual assessment of pulse propagation characteristics. As a result, future fault locations can be identified with greater precision using TDR.

Also for the first time, a Murray Bridge fingerprint has been created for the Viking Link. This case study highlights the potential of utilizing Murray Bridge techniques to measure both low and high resistance cable faults over this extensive cable length. The results from the measurements were fast and with impressive measuring accuracy. The integration of the Murray Bridge technique complements the TDR test, providing a means to validate measurement results through an alternative method in the event of a cable fault.