EoW March 2013

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News
Technology
March 2013 45
Highly electrifying!
At the extrusion of cables their insulation
is inspected by spark testers (high-voltage
spark testers) and possible insulation
faults are detected and documented at an
early stage. With the new high-frequency
spark tester Spark 6030 HF, Sikora opens a
new chapter in the spark tester segment:
powerful, high reliability in the detection
of faults and intelligent multimedia
functions.
At the same time the Spark 6030 HF
underlines that reliable technology alone
is not sufficient to support the operator
considerably at work and to ensure safety.
That is the reason why Sikora has integrated
a 4-step function and safety test according
to EN61010-1:2010. Until now this had to
be performed by means of external testing
devices in the factory.
The Spark 6030 HF is developed for the
reliable detection of insulation faults in
cables with a diameter from 0.5 to 30mm.
The system reliably distinguishes between
punctual faults (pin holes) and bare patches.
For testing, the dry cable runs through
the sturdy bead chain electrode of the
spark tester. Typically the device is installed
after the cooling section. Here the cable
insulation is exposed to the specific test
voltage and faults in the insulation are
reliably detected.
Directly integrated in the device is a display,
visualising the selected test voltage, the
capacitive load and number of high-voltage
break downs. The display is combined
with a control panel for entering the test
voltage. For production lines without a line
computer the Spark 6030 HF is combined
with the processor controlled display and
control device Remote 2000.
According to European standards,
measuring and testing equipment has to
be checked regularly. As an innovation in
the spark tester segment the Spark 6030 HF
optionally integrates a 4-step function and
safety test. Accordingly, the spark tester is
tested with regard to high-voltage, corona
level, short-circuit current and function
(sensitivity).
High-voltage test: In this test, the spark
tester checks the displayed high-voltage of
the device for correctness. The high-voltage
has to be within a tolerance of 5%.
Test of the short-circuit current: The spark
tester automatically checks the maximum
short-circuit current, which for a human
body model should not exceed 10 mA
when operating the device (according to
EN61010-1:2010).
Function (sensitivity) test: The spark tester
automatically performs a function test.
By means of an integrated spark gap 20
artificial faults (breakdowns) are initiated
in less than 20 seconds. The spark tester
automatically checks the correctness of fault
detection.
Corona test: The Spark 6030 HF
automatically measures and evaluates the
corona level. Within the creation of the test
certificate the corona level is documented.
Up to now, the operator was depending
on subjective and visual evaluation of
the condition of the insulators in order to
fulfil the requirements of EN61010-1:2010.
Worldwide the Spark 6030 HF is the only
spark tester that carries out this test.
Via Wi-Fi and smart phones, each test is
proved by a test certificate which is stored
and transmitted to quality management
with a single touch of the button. The
sparktester conforms to approved test
standards (AS, BS, CS, CENELEC, EN, UL, VDE)
and safety regulations (as demanded by
DIN/VDE 0800, IEC 479-1).
Sikora AG – Germany
Website :