FIELD: physics.
SUBSTANCE: method and a system for monitoring the condition of an electrical cable. Method comprises applying a broadband signal wave having a frequency f to a first end of the electrical cable, wherein the broadband signal wave is phase and amplitude modulated by at least a cable impedance of the electrical cable, and acquiring the phase and amplitude modulated broadband signal wave transmitted and reflected by the electrical cable. Signal analysis is performed on the acquired phase and amplitude modulated broadband signal wave. Signal analysis results in establishing a relationship between a real and an imaginary part of a phase impedance spectrum Fourier transform of the power spectrum in an interval around at least one of the locations x1, x2, …, xn along the cable, due to discontinuities at these locations, and identifying impedance changes in these locations x1, x2, …, xn along the cable from said real and imaginary part. Analysing a second order reflection of the broadband signal in said identified fault locations may establish a local degradation severity of an identified fault in the cable insulation in at least one of the locations x1, x2, …, xn along the cable.
EFFECT: technical results observed in the implementation of the disclosed group of engineering solutions consist in an increase in the sensitivity of monitoring the condition of a cable at the end of the cable and in the area where the impedance changes are identified.
26 cl, 30 dwg
