Power cables are the critical "arteries" of modern electrical networks. In particular, 6–35kV medium-voltage cables play an essential role in residential power distribution, industrial facilities, commercial buildings and substations.

However, traditional AC withstand voltage and DC withstand voltage tests may not provide sufficient information about early insulation defects such as partial discharge. A cable may pass a conventional withstand test while hidden insulation defects continue to develop during operation.

This can result in unexpected cable failures, difficult fault diagnosis and extended outage times.

The Oscillating Wave Test System (OWTS) provides an advanced approach to cable insulation diagnostics by detecting and locating partial discharge defects before they develop into more serious failures.

The SXZD-M60 Cable Oscillating Wave Partial Discharge Detection System is designed specifically for 6–35kV medium-voltage cable testing and diagnostics.

It combines oscillating wave technology, partial discharge measurement and cable fault location in one integrated system, helping utilities and maintenance teams move from reactive repair toward condition-based and predictive cable maintenance.

The SXZD-M60 generates a damped oscillating voltage by connecting a high-voltage reactor with the cable under test.

The resulting oscillating voltage can stimulate partial discharge activity associated with insulation defects, while advanced measurement and TDR-based analysis help determine the location of the defect.

This approach provides valuable information about the condition of cable insulation while reducing the potential stress associated with conventional high-voltage testing methods.

The SXZD-M60 adopts an integrated design with a total weight of approximately 100 kg and dimensions of Φ650 * H990 mm, making it suitable for different on-site testing environments.

Key hardware features include:

• ±60kV high-voltage unit
• Integrated system design
• Remote laptop control
• Advanced anti-interference design
• Operating temperature: -20°C to +60°C
• Relative humidity: up to 95%
• Designed for demanding outdoor and field-testing environments

The compact structure allows engineers to transport and deploy the system more conveniently for on-site cable diagnostics.

The SXZD-M60 can operate as a standalone testing system with an intuitive one-click workflow.

Its software provides:

• 14-bit sampling resolution
• Dual analysis modes
• Multi-dimensional partial discharge pattern visualization
• Automatic trend identification
• Automatic test report generation
• Structured test data management
• Database-based defect characteristic analysis

These functions help reduce the amount of manual data processing required by field engineers and make test results easier to interpret and archive.

One of the major advantages of the SXZD-M60 is its ability to combine partial discharge detection with defect location.

For example, during a 10kV cable diagnostic test, the system can identify a suspected insulation defect and locate its position along the cable. In one testing scenario, a joint insulation air-gap defect was located within approximately 15 minutes, with a reported location error of only 0.08m.

This type of diagnostic information can help maintenance teams quickly determine where further inspection or repair is required.

Perform diagnostic testing during cable installation and commissioning to identify potential insulation defects before the cable enters service.

Evaluate the insulation condition of operating cables and identify developing partial discharge activity.

Use partial discharge measurement and location analysis to help identify potential defect positions and accelerate troubleshooting.

Build historical test records and track cable insulation conditions over time, supporting condition-based maintenance strategies.

Typical applications include:

• Residential power distribution systems
• Industrial parks
• Commercial power networks
• Utility substations
• Medium-voltage distribution networks
• Power cable maintenance departments
• Electrical testing laboratories

OWTS-based partial discharge testing provides an alternative diagnostic approach for identifying insulation defects without relying solely on conventional destructive or highly stressful test methods.

With a stated positioning accuracy of up to ±0.1m, the system can help maintenance teams narrow down potential defect locations and reduce troubleshooting time.

Automatic analysis, visualization and report-generation functions simplify the testing workflow and make test data easier to store, compare and trace throughout the cable's service life.

Traditional cable maintenance often follows a "test after failure" or "repair after failure" approach.

Modern power distribution networks increasingly require a more proactive strategy: identifying insulation deterioration before it develops into a serious cable failure.

The SXZD-M60 Oscillating Wave Partial Discharge Testing System provides a practical tool for this transition.

By combining OWTS technology, partial discharge detection, cable fault location and intelligent data analysis, the system helps electrical engineers obtain more useful information about medium-voltage cable insulation condition and make better-informed maintenance decisions.

If you need a solution for medium-voltage cable testing, OWTS testing, partial discharge detection, cable fault location or cable condition assessment, the SXZD-M60 provides an integrated solution for field diagnostics.

Contact Sansion Power to learn more about the SXZD-M60 Oscillating Wave Partial Discharge Detection System and find the right configuration for your cable testing requirements.