Megger PFL40A Instruction Manual
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Megger PFL40A Instruction Manual

Megger PFL40A Instruction Manual

Portable fault locator
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AVTMPFL40A-EN
Rev. C
June 2008
Instruction Manual
Portable Fault Locator
PFL40A
HIGH-VOLTAGE EQUIPMENT
Read this entire manual before operating equipment
M
Valley Forge Corporate Center
2621 Van Buren Avenue
Norristown, PA 19403-2329
U.S.A.
610-676-8500
www.megger.com

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  • Page 1 AVTMPFL40A-EN Rev. C June 2008 Instruction Manual Portable Fault Locator PFL40A HIGH-VOLTAGE EQUIPMENT Read this entire manual before operating equipment Valley Forge Corporate Center 2621 Van Buren Avenue Norristown, PA 19403-2329 U.S.A. 610-676-8500 www.megger.com...
  • Page 3 Instruction Manual Portable Fault Locator PFL40A...
  • Page 4 Specifications are subject to change without notice. WARRANTY Products supplied by Megger are warranted against defects in material and workmanship for a period of one year following shipment. Our liability is specifically limited to replacing or repairing, at our option, defective equipment.

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    Table of Contents Upon Receipt of Product............................1 1 GETTING TO KNOW THE PFL........................3 Top Panel Controls ..........................3 Rear Panel Connections.........................4 2 SAFETY ................................5 Safety is the responsibility of the user ....................5 General Safety Precautions........................5 Safety in Using the PFL .........................6 3 PREPARING FOR TEST ..........................7 Site Preparation ............................7 Making Circuit Connections .........................7...
  • Page 6 Addendum A MTDR Analyzer........................33 Specifications ..............................33 Top Panel Controls............................35 Communications ports ............................35 Home Screen...............................36 Home Screen - Mode Options.........................36 Utilities.................................37 Test Parameters – Display Header ........................38 Trace Viewer Control ............................39 TDR - Multiple Trace Capture.........................40 Arc Reflection – Test Contro...........................41 Impulse Current (Surge)............................42 Decay Method ..............................42 MTDR Lead length Calibration - Left Cursor Offset ..................43...
  • Page 7 PFL40A Cable Fault Location System........................1 Figure 1-1. Top Panel Controls ..........................3 Figure 1-2. Rear Panel Connections........................4 Figure 3-1 PFL40A Connection Diagram......................10 Figure 4 1: Main Control Menu ........................... 11 Figure 4-2. Decay Coupler Connections ......................22 Figure B-1. High-Voltage and Ground Cable Reel connections..............45 Figure C-1.
  • Page 8 AVTMPFL40A-EN Rev C June 2008...

  • Page 9: Upon Receipt Of Product

    Prior to operation, check for loosened hardware or damage incurred during transit. If these conditions are found, a safety hazard is likely, DO NOT attempt to operate equipment. Please contact Megger as soon as possible. PFL40A Portable Cable Fault Location System...
  • Page 10 AVTMPFL40A-EN Rev C June 2008...

  • Page 11: Getting To Know The Pfl

    GETTING TO KNOW THE PFL Top Panel Controls MTDR MTDR Figure 1-1. Top Panel Controls 1. Power ON/OFF and Circuit Breaker 2. Emergency OFF (available with key option) 3. Main Menu Controller (See Section 4.1) 4. Dielectric Test Current Limit Control (See Proof Section 4.7) 5.

  • Page 12: Rear Panel Connections

    9. Current Meter (30/300 mA dual range) 10. 4kV (Optional module) Range Indicator 11. +24V Indicator (illuminates when Circuit Breaker is ON) 12. 30 mA Range indicator (active during Proof mode only) Rear Panel Connections Figure 1-2. Rear Panel Connections 1.

  • Page 13: Safety

    Megger for repair. General Safety Precautions The PFL40A and the Cable Specimen (containing the fault) are both sources of instantaneously lethal levels of electrical energy. Observe the following safety precautions: Observe all safety warnings on the equipment.

  • Page 14: Safety In Using The Pfl

    Safety in Using the PFL Never assume that either the PFL40A High-Voltage Output Cable or the Cable Specimen is de-energized. Always treat exposed conductors and connections as potential electric shock hazards Do not use this equipment to locate faults on direct-buried unshielded or secondary cable.

  • Page 15: Preparing For Test

    Vehicle Ground Terminal has less than 100 milliohm impedance to the local station earth ground. 3.2.2 PFL Chassis Ground. If using a vehicle mounted PFL40A, use the Megger supplied Safety Ground Cable to connect the PFL40A Chassis Ground Terminal directly to the Vehicle Ground Terminal. If using a...
  • Page 16 3.2.6 Interlock circuit. User must provide a closed electrical circuit path across pins B/E of the interlock jack before the PFL40A will function properly. The connection should be made with the mating plug (supplied) using a two-wire twisted pair, 18 gauge or larger, 300 V insulated cable.
  • Page 17 Section 3.2.2 and Specifications Section 8. Also make sure that the ON/OFF switch (Figure 1-1, No. 1) is in the OFF position. Connect the input power cable to the PFL40A first, then to the power source. 3.2.11 Remove the Safety Ground Jumper cable. Once all of the above...

  • Page 18: Figure 3-1 Pfl40A Connection Diagram

    Input Power 100 milliohms max 110-130VAC / 220-265VAC 50/60 Hz Van (if used) Surge Return 100 milliohms max 100 milliohms max 100 milliohms max Cable Specimen Local Station Earth Ground Figure 3-1 PFL40A Connection Diagram AVTMPFL40A-EN Rev C June 2008...

  • Page 19: Cable Testing

    CABLE TESTING Main Menu Operation The PFL system provides the User with up to six separate test or specimen conditioning modes: Arc Reflection Impulse Current (surge, IC) Pulse Echo (Time Domain Reflectometer, TDR) Cable Burn Down Dielectric Withstand (Proof) Decay To select any of the options listed, press the Up/Down arrows until the Selection Arrow...

  • Page 20: Typical Fault Location Strategy

    Typical Fault Location Strategy 4.2.1 The most important aspect of locating a cable fault is the development of a strategy that will allow the fault location to be safely and positively identified. The following steps illustrate a typical approach to finding a fault.

  • Page 21: Arc Reflection Method

    CABLE TESTING discharge rate as desired and use the MPP1003 or similar device to pinpoint the exact location of the fault. ARC Reflection Method 4.3.1 When the ARC REFLECTION Mode is activated, an Arc Reflection Filter internal to the PFL is switched into the circuit and is connected to the cable specimen.

  • Page 22: Impulse Current (Surge)

    pressing the right arrow at the following prompt. Select a voltage equal to 10% of the range maximum. Gradually increase the discharge voltage, using the Voltage Control, until the fault breaks down on every discharge as indicated by sound and the voltmeter dip. End Impulse Current mode by pressing the “ESC”...
  • Page 23 CABLE TESTING When using the Impulse Current method, a current coupler is switched into the surge return circuit and is used to measure the high frequencies in the transient as a series of spikes each separated by the round-trip travel time from the fault back to the PFL. The MTDR has dual cursors that allow the operator to measure the distance, in feet (or meters), to the fault.
  • Page 24 The operator patrols the land above of the Cable Specimen, near the pre-location site, while holding a detector such as the MPP1003. The PFL40A repeatedly applies Impulse Surges. Each time the fault breaks down, electromagnetic and acoustic transients are detected by the detector.

  • Page 25: Pulse Echo (Time Domain Reflectometry, Tdr)

    CABLE TESTING time using the Voltage Control and the delay may be adjusted anywhere from 0 to 30 seconds at any time by using the down/up arrows. 4.4.18 Once testing is complete, refer to “De-energize and System Shutdown” of Section 6. Pulse Echo (Time Domain Reflectometry, TDR) 4.5.1 When the Pulse Echo (TDR) Mode is selected, the High Voltage...

  • Page 26: Cable Burn Down (Fault Conditioning)

    4.5.7 To locate the fault, adjust the cursor until it is positioned at the beginning of the negative reflection for a low-resistance fault or at the beginning of the positive reflection for a high Resistance fault. The distance to the fault is displayed at the top of the screen.

  • Page 27: Dielectric Test (Proof)

    When the Dielectric Test mode is selected, the unit operates as a DC Dielectric tester. This test is performed to determine whether the cable insulation is good or bad. In this mode, the PFL40A can provide a timed “soak” test as well as minimize the energy delivered to the fault if the specimen fails.

  • Page 28: Decay Test (Optional Accessory)

    Only the Safety Ground should be connected at this point with the circuit breaker in the off position. Connect the Decay Coupler directly to the PFL40A. Connect the Decay Coupler interlock plug to the PFL40A interlock jack using the provided cable. Connect the External Interlock circuit to the jack provided on the interlock cable.
  • Page 29 Configure the MTDR for Decay Mode. Please see the MTDR operating instructions in Addendum A for the configuration procedure. 4.8.10 Press the right arrow on the PFL40A main menu controller. This will engage the high voltage power supply and bring up the voltage control page.

  • Page 30: Figure 4-2. Decay Coupler Connections

    4.8.15 If testing is complete, refer to “De-energize and System Shutdown”. 4.8.16 Disconnect the Decay Module upon completion of decay testing. PFL40A 50’ (15 M) CBL100HV HIGH VOLTAGE CABLE HIGH VOLTAGE CABLE REEL (100’, 30 M) TEST LEAD SURGE 50’ (15 M)

  • Page 31: System Warnings

    This will appear if energizing the high voltage power supply was attempted when the main configuration switch is not in the correct position. All operations with the unit must be immediately halted and the unit must be returned to Megger for repair.
  • Page 32 DECAY COUPLER CONNECTED (if equipped) Operation other than Decay was attempted while Decay Coupler is installed. Remove Decay Coupler and restart unit. MUST CONNECT DECAY COUPLER (if equipped) Decay test attempted without Decay Coupler. Connect Decay Coupler. OVER CURRENT TRIP Power supply current exceeds limit set by Over Current Trip Selector during Dielectric Testing.

  • Page 33: De-Energize And System Shutdown

    Upon completion of testing, for Safety reasons, it is necessary to completely discharge any High Voltage stored energy within both the cable specimen and the PFL40A. Be sure to perform the steps below in the order as listed. Using the Main Menu Controller, exit out of all test modes, going back to the Main Menu screen.
  • Page 34 AVTMPFL40A-EN Rev C June 2008...

  • Page 35: Maintenance

    MAINTENANCE Pre-Maintenance Precautions 7.1.1 Before performing any maintenance on the PFL, be sure to read the entire contents of this Instruction Manual and observe all Safety precautions. To maintain the PFL in proper condition, it is suggested a program of routine maintenance be carried out every six months.

  • Page 36: Repairs

    High-Voltage hazards and the necessary precautions required to prevent injury. Megger offers a complete Repair and Calibration Service and recommends that its customers take advantage of this service for routine maintenance or in the event of any equipment malfunction.

  • Page 37: Specifications

    SPECIFICATIONS Available Modes ARC REFLECTION PULSE ECHO (TDR) IMPULSE CURRENT (SURGE) CABLE BURN DOWN DIELECTRIC TEST (PROOF) DECAY Voltage Output Impulse Voltage ranges: 0 – 4 (optional),0 - 8, 0 - 16, 0 - 34 kV Surge Interval: Single Shot Repetitive: Variable, 2 seconds - minimum DC Mode: Proof mode: 0 to 40 kV...

  • Page 38: Energy

    Energy Capacitance: 1.5 kJ basic system: 2.9. 11.7, 46.8 µF 2.0 kJ basic system: 3.91, 15.6, 62.5 µF With 4 kV 1.5 kJ optional capacitor: 186.7 µF With 4 kV 2.0 kJ optional capacitor: 250 µF Peak Energy: 1.5 kJ system at 34 kV - 1.7 kJ 2.0 kJ system at 34 kV –...

  • Page 39: Physical

    SPECIFICATIONS Physical Height : With Wheel kit: 44.6 inches (1133 mm) Without Wheel kit: 35.0 inches (89 mm) Width: 30.6 inches (777 mm) Depth: 27.6 inches (701 mm) Weight: 390 lbs (177 kg) Input Voltage Source (User supplied) Single phase, 110 – 130 VAC; fused at 15 A, 50/60 Hz, Single phase, 220 –...

  • Page 40: Optional Modules/Accessories

    CBL100HV output cable reel in a portable configuration with 100 ft (30 m) High Voltage and Safety Ground extension cables, Cat. No. CBL100HV Megger Pin Pointer (used for Tracing), Cat. No. MPP1000 Series Decay Module Ground Safety Monitor, includes 50’ (15m) Earth Monitor Cable 100’...

  • Page 41: Addendum Amtdr Analyzer

    Addendum A MTDR Analyzer Specifications Operating modes: ARC Reflection, SURGE, voltage Decay and Ranges: U.S.: 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, 100,000, 200,000 ft Metric: 60, 150, 300, 600, 1500, 3000, 6000, 15,000, 30,000, 60,000 m Time: 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 µs TDR pulse widths: 40, 80, 160, 320, 640 ns, 1, 2, 5, 10 µs Cursors:...
  • Page 42 -4 to 122°F (-20 to 50°C) operating -22 to 158°F (-30 to 70°C) storage Humidity: <95 percent non-condensing Dimensions: Integrated into the top panel of PFL40A Weight: Included in PFL40A system Accessories supplied: software to download and upload traces to and...

  • Page 43: Top Panel Controls

    MTDR Analyzer Top Panel Controls Test Button: Initiates and Terminates all Tests. Navigation Keys: Use Arrow keys to highlight a desired Selection. Use Enter button (in center) to Activate the Selection. Home Key: Returns to Home Screen. Press twice to ignore. Change Area Key: Allows User to select Active area of the screen.

  • Page 44: Home Screen

    Home Screen Home Screen - Mode Options Select for ARC Reflection Mode Select for TDR Mode Select for Current Impulse Mode (Surge) Select for Voltage Decay Mode (optional) Select to input Preferences Select to enter File Manager AVTMPFL40A-EN Rev C June 2008...

  • Page 45: Utilities

    MTDR Analyzer Utilities Save Icon. Used to Save Preferences or, when selected from any Test Mode screen, will bring up the Save File screen. Default File name is the Date and Time. Recall Test Icon. Select from any Test Mode screen to bring up the File Recall screen.

  • Page 46: Test Parameters - Display Header

    Test Parameters – Display Header Indicates selected Test Mode. Arc Reflection Test Mode shown here. Indicates Cable Length which is set during the TDR mode with automatic placement of the cursors. Indicates Display Range (as shown on screen). This Display Range can be changed by User. Indicates Distance between cursors.

  • Page 47: Trace Viewer Control

    MTDR Analyzer Trace Viewer Control Blue perimeter indicates Active area Dotted line indicates Trace is ready for Selection Small World view of large Display Dashed line indicates Trace is selected AVTMPFL40A-EN Rev C June 2008...

  • Page 48: Tdr - Multiple Trace Capture

    TDR - Multiple Trace Capture Baseline Trace with Cable End open Second Trace with Cable End shorted Baseline Trace to automatically identify the start of the Test Lead. Note: If the Cable length is known, then Velocity can be verified. Place the right cursor at the Cable end and begin adjusting the Velocity.

  • Page 49: Arc Reflection - Test Contro

    MTDR Analyzer Arc Reflection – Test Control Distance between cursors indicates Distance to Fault Scroll Waveforms. Allows operator to scroll through up to 16 waveforms captured for each test. Pressing will bring up Options Average Waveforms. Displays the average of available for those 16 waveforms.

  • Page 50: Impulse Current (Surge)

    Impulse Current (Surge) The Impulse Current method is usually an effective method for pre-locating a high-resistance fault (arc resistance greater than 200 ohms). The Impulse Current method is similar to the Arc Reflection method in that both methods send high energy pulses down the cable which are used to break down the fault.

  • Page 51: Mtdr Lead Length Calibration - Left Cursor Offset

    MTDR Analyzer MTDR Lead length Calibration - Left Cursor Offset Point of divergence Spacing equals MTDR Lead length 1. With the test leads in place and open, use the TDR mode to capture a trace. Left cursor will be automatically placed at the start of the outgoing Pulse (left side of first blip).

  • Page 52: Troubleshooting

    Troubleshooting Problem No reflected pulses No reflected pulses are observed Indications The fault is beyond the range of the instrument Possible Cause The fault is beyond the sensitivity of the instrument. The CFL system or arc reflection filter is not in the arc reflection mode. The connections are not correct.

  • Page 53: Addendum Bcbl100Hv Cable Reels

    Addendum B CBL100HV CABLE REELS Connections 50’ (15 M) CBL100HV HIGH VOLTAGE CABLE HIGH VOLTAGE CABLE REEL (100’, 30 M) TEST LEAD 50’ (15 M) SURGE PFL CHASSIS RETURN GROUND CABLE CIRCUIT CONNECTION LOCAL CABLE REEL EARTH GROUND SAFETY GROUND CABLE (100’, 30 M) CONNECTION FERRULE Figure B-1.

  • Page 54: Specifications

    CBL100HV HV cable by pressing the plug firmly into the receptacle. 2. Place the CBL100HV cable reel within 50 ft (15 m) of the PFL40A. Unwind the amount of HV cable and ground cable required to reach and connect to cable under test.
  • Page 55 CBL100HV CABLE REELS a. Connect the SAFETY GROUND lead to the LOCAL EARTH GROUND. b. Connect the SURGE RETURN test lead to the SPECIMEN GROUND (grounded shield of the cable under test). This is the black lead terminated with a vise-grip clamp. WARNING The low-voltage lead of the output cable must not be extended because this introduces excessive impedance in...
  • Page 56 AVTMPFL40A-EN Rev C June 2008...

  • Page 57: Addendum Ccomlink (Version 1.08)

    Addendum C COMLink (Version 1.08) Introduction COMLink is Megger's software program for use with your MTDR Analyzer. COMLink allows the bi-directional transfer of test data (waveforms) between the MTDR and a Personal Computer (PC). COMLink software consists of two programs—COMLink, which provides the interface to the MTDR, and COM32, which provides the communication to the MTDR.

  • Page 58: Software Installation

    Software Installation NOTE: COMLink uses DART/MTDR interchangeably. To install COMLink, load the COMLink CD into your CD-ROM drive and follow the on-screen instructions. Figure C-1. COMLink Installation screen Connecting the PC to the MTDR You may power up the MTDR before or after connection to the PC, however be sure the MTDR is properly and securely connected to the PC (via RS232 serial cable) before starting COMLink.

  • Page 59: Comlink Home Screen

    COMLink COMLink Home Screen When opening the COMLink program, the Home Screen is displayed. From the Select Device drop down menu, select the DART (MTDR) device. Figure C-2. COMLink Home Screen Select Device After selecting DART (MTDR) as the remote device, the COMLink program initially displays the Login tab.

  • Page 60: Figure C-4. Select Operating Mode Screen

    If your login is successful, the screen will display the Catalog number 654000, the MTDR Serial Number, and software version. Also, the name of the Login tab will change to Logout. If your login is unsuccessful, the Remote Device button will remain disabled.

  • Page 61: Transferring Wave Forms From The Mtdr

    COMLink Transferring Wave Forms from the MTDR With COMLink you can transfer Waveforms to the PC (Get from DART (MTDR)) or to the DART (MTDR) (Send to DART (MTDR)). This can be done via a USB Memory stick or via a serial cable as below. Minimize DART (MTDR) Viewer and click on either the Get from DART (MTDR) or Send to DART (MTDR) tabs.

  • Page 62: Figure C-7. Mtdr Waveform Viewer

    Figure C-7. MTDR Waveform Viewer The controls across the top of the viewer allow you to alter the view by adjusting a number of variables. The left cursor (yellow) and right cursor (red) can be moved by either clicking and dragging or by clicking and using the left and right arrow keys on your keyboard.

  • Page 63: Multiple Waveform Viewing

    COMLink Click here to select method Click here to display/hide Click a spin trace box to alter Gain or differentials Figure C-8. MTDR Waveform Viewer – Control Box The Gain and Offsets of the individual TDR, ARC or DART (MTDR) traces can be altered by selecting a value in the spin box.

  • Page 64: Setup Serial Port

    Figure C-9. Serial Port Set Screen Setup Serial Port When necessary, use this feature to adjust the communications parameters. Click on Setup Serial Port. Select either COM1 or COM2. To save the new settings and initialize the serial port, click Save Settings. To Exit without saving, click the Restore Settings button.

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