Innovative Test Apparatus for Monitoring Insulation Health of Medium Voltage Direct Current Cables and Insulated Bus Pipe

Land-based MVAC systems have been used for over a century, and their insulation systems are well known and understood.  The use of MVDC systems on Naval platforms is relatively new.  While some MVAC system insulation integrity tests may be applied to MVDC insulation systems, others may not. The objective of this SBIR is to develop Medium Voltage Direct Current (MVDC) Partial Discharge and Space Charge Test Apparatus for Cable and Insulated Bus Pipe (IBP) Develop an affordable test apparatus and test method for detecting Partial Discharge (PD), measuring Space Charge (SC), and estimating remaining service life of Medium Voltage Direct Current (MVDC) cable and Insulated Bus Pipe (IBP) installed on naval ships, and to develop a Health Index and method to estimate remaining service life.