UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

FEDERAL ELECTRICITY & WATER AUTHORITY

FEWA SPECIFICATION NO. CBL-3.3 FOR 33KV

SINGLE/THREE CORE STANDARD COPPER
CONDUCTOR XLPE INSULATED CABLES

33KV CABLES (Page 1 of 20)

SPECIFICATION NO. CBL- 3.3

(Revised in April 2004)
33 KV, SINGLE/THREE CORE STRANDED COPPER CONDUCTOR
XLPE INSULATED CABLES
1.

Standard Specifications:
The cables shall conform and comply with the latest editions of the appropriate IEC
standards (IEC 60502, IEC 60811 & IEC 60229 and any other relevant IEC
standards) or any other equivalent international standard with all its latest addendum
and amendments and shall be subject to the approval of FEWA.

2.

Site conditions and Fault level:

The cables shall be suitable for continuous duty under specified system condition
and under short time fault conditions of system fault level of 1500 MVA in the hot,
humid and salty climate prevailing in the area. The maximum values of humidity and
temperature experienced in this country are 100% and 50 deg.C. respectively.

3.

Scope and nature of work:

The specification provides for the design, manufacture, test at manufacturers works
in the presence of two FEWA inspectors, suitable packing, transportation and off
loading at site of works or FEWA stores in satisfactory conditions and proper
stacking as directed by FEWA.

4.

Construction:
The cable shall be of single/three core construction, made up of highly compacted,
round, stranded conductor of high grade Electrolytic Copper, XLPE insulated,
suitable for use in system with nominal system voltage of 33 kV and highest system
voltage of 36 kV.

5.

Conductor screening:
Conductor screening shall be non-metallic and shall consist of a layer of extruded
semi conducting compound which shall be firmly bonded to the inner surface of the
insulation. The contact of the semi conducting shields with the cable insulation must
be perfect without void creation at the inner surfaces. The interfaces must be
smooth in a regular geometric shape and the semi conducting compound must have
homogeneous structure particularly at the inter faces. The semi conducting shields
must be mechanically stable under load cycling of the power cable.
An additional semi conducting tape in between conducting compound and the
conductor shall be used.

6.

Insulation:
Electrical grade cross linked polyethylene (XLPE) shall be extruded in simultaneous
extrusion of conductor screening layer and insulation screening layer and shall be
suitably cured.

33KV CABLES (Page 2 of 20)

The nominal thickness of the insulation shall be 8 mm and shall be guaranteed by

the manufacturer to withstand the specified system voltages. The average thickness
of insulation shall be not less than the specified nominal value. The minimum
thickness at any place shall be as per IEC 60502.
7.

Insulation Screening:
The insulation screening shall be non-metallic and shall consist of a layer of
extruded semi conducting compound provided over the insulation simultaneously
with the extrusion of the insulation. Semi conducting tape with suitable overlap over
the extruded semi-conducting layer of compound shall be applied.
Conductor screen, insulation and insulation screen shall be vulcanized by triple
extrusion method.

8.

Metallic screening:
Concentric layers of copper wires with copper counter spiral shall be applied over
the insulation screening. The total cross section of copper wire screen shall be not
less than 25 mm2 for conductor of sizes upto 240 mm2 and shall be not less than 35
mm2 for conductor sizes above 240 mm2 upto 500 mm2.
In addition to above condition, manufacturer should make sure that minimum earth
fault current capability of each of the three individual core metallic screens for 1 sec.
shall be 2.5KA (i.e. 7.5KA for 1 sec. when all of the 3 metallic screens are combined
together) without combining armour.

9.

Water Sealing:
Cables shall be provided with water sealing of conductor and longitudinal and radial
water sealing along the metallic screen as described below:
The conductor water sealing shall consist of a swelling material provided between
conductor strands which turns into a jelly when comes in contact with water.
The longitudinal water sealing along the metallic screen shall be provided by a
swelling layer applied over the metallic screen or by a swelling material provided
between metallic screen wires as applicable.
The radial water sealing shall be provided by a corrosion resistant metal or metalpolyethylene laminate applied over the longitudinal water sealing. Special care in
preventing galvanic corrosion is required in the design. It is essential that water
sealing is efficient to reduce the lengths of cable to be cut, in case of any ingress of
water due to mechanical cable damage.

10.

Over sheath:
The over sheath shall be an extruded layer of polyethylene type ST7. An outer
conducting coating shall be applied to the covering to serve as an electrode for the
voltage test on the over sheath.
The outer sheath shall be of fire and termite resistant PE material. Anti corrosion
protection shall consist of a coating of waterproof compound/foil/plastic tape over
the metallic screening followed by continuous extrusion of PE sheath.

33KV CABLES (Page 3 of 20)

11.

Identification:
The following identification marks shall be permanently embossed along two lines
diametrically opposite to each other on the cable at suitable intervals.
33000 volts;......mm2 single/three core copper cable; XLPE insulated - property of
FEWA - UAE - Year of manufacture - manufacturer's name.
Length of cable on one meter intervals shall be embossed on the outer jacket.
Marking on the over-sheath shall indicate cumulative length of the cable, wound on
the drum such marking starting with 000 on the inner end and actual length on the
drum.

12.

Packing:
The cable shall be wound on a suitable non returnable strong drum to prevent
damage during storage and transport. On the side of the drum, necessary
description, such as order No. type, voltage. size, material of conductor, gross and
net weight of the cable, length, direction of rolling and drum number etc. shall be
clearly marked. Completed cable shall be sealed at both ends to avoid any ingress
of moisture, foreign bodies etc. No drum shall contain more than one length of
cable. The inner as well as outer end of cable shall be brought out on the drum
flange and shall be clamped in such a manner to make the cable length marking
easily visible.
The diameter of bore for the cable drum for inserting the shaft shall not be less than
120mm. The cable drums must be closed with wooden planks to prevent cable
damage during storage and transportation.

13.

Current rating and Temperature Rise:

The cable shall be capable of withstanding the maximum conductor temperature of
90 deg.C. in continuous operation and a temperature of 130 deg.C. for a limited
period. Under fault conditions the cable shall be rated to withstand a final
temperature of 250 deg.C.
Guaranteed current carrying capacity at 35 deg.C. soil temperatures shall be
mentioned in the appropriate column of the schedule of guaranteed particulars.
Thermal resistivity of filling sand shall be considered as 1.50 m/w for erection at site
and 2.00 m/w for design purpose.

14.

Cable Drum Length:

The length of cable for drum shall be according to the following table. A variation of
+ 5% of the cable drum length may be acceptable.
Cable size

Drum Length

1 x 500 sq.mm
1 x 300 sq.mm
3 x 300 sq.mm
3 x 240 sq.mm
1 x 240 sq.mm

500 Metres.
500 Metres.
250 Metres.
250 Metres.
1000 Metres.

All cable lengths cut and used for various tests shall be to contractor's account and
shall not be included in cable length to be supplied to FEWA.

33KV CABLES (Page 4 of 20)

15.

Test Certificate:
Certified copies of the following type test certificates shall be supplied along with the
offer. Type Test certificates more than seven years old are not acceptable. If type
test certificates which are acceptable to FEWA or not enclosed along with the offer,
Authority reserves its right to ask the tenderer to conduct all or any of the following
type test in presence of two FEWA inspectors at no additional cost to FEWA.

16.

Type test, Electrical:

a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)

Partial discharge test.

Bending test plus partial discharge test.
Power factor (tan delta) measured as a function of voltage and capacitance
measurement.
Power factor measurement as a function of temperature.
Heating cycle test plus partial discharge test.
Impulse withstand test followed by power frequency voltage test.
High voltage alternating current test for 4 hours.
Insulation resistance measurement.

The above type tests and all the Non-Electrical type tests shall be carried out as per
relevant clauses of IEC 60502 & IEC 60811.
Routine Test
All the routine tests shall be carried out as per IEC at manufacturer's works on all
lengths of ordered cable during manufacture and certificates of these tests shall be
forwarded to FEWA.
17.

Witnessing tests at manufacturer's works:

The following tests (routine and sample as mentioned in IEC 60502) will be carried
out in presence of at least two FEWA inspectors at the manufacturer's works.
a)

Electrical resistance measurement of conductor and metallic screen.

b)

Partial discharge test : magnitude of discharge at 33kV should not exceed

10 PC.

c)

High voltage test : 67kV AC between conductors and screen for 5 minutes.

d)

Conductor examination.

e)

Check of dimension.

f)

Voltage test for 4 hours : 76kV AC between conductor and screen for 4
hours.

g)

Hot set test for XLPE insulation.

h)

Tests on sheath as per IEC 60229.

The supplier shall make provision in his offer to bear all costs that are incurred in
carrying out these tests to the satisfaction of FEWA. However, costs towards travel,
accommodation, etc. of FEWA representatives shall not be included in the quoted
price.

33KV CABLES (Page 5 of 20)

The following additional requirements are applicable for 3 core cable.

18.

Assembly:
The three insulated cores shall be laid up with necessary non-hygroscopic fillers and
bound with non-vulcanisable tape/strip or wire to a compact circular assembly.
Metallic layer over each individual core shall be in contact with each other.

19.

Inner Sheath:
The inner sheath shall be made of extruded PE complying with relevant IEC
standard.

20.

Metallic Armour:
The metallic armour shall confirm to IEC 60502 or any equivalent international
standard with latest addendums and amendments. The armouring for multicore
cables shall consist of galvanized steel round wires applied over the inner sheath
The armouring for single core cables shall consist of non-magnetic material such as
aluminium or aluminium alloy.
In case of galvanized steel armour wires, the mass of coating shall not be less than
275 g/m2.

33KV CABLES (Page 6 of 20)

SCHEDULE A
SUB-MANUFACTURERS
The Tenderer shall state below the names of the sub-manufacturers to the main
manufacturer and details of the equipment proposed to be manufactured or supplied by
them:
Name & Address of the Sub-Manufacturer

Description of Equipment

Name of Tenderer

:_________________________

Designation

:_________________________

Signature

:_________________________

Date

:_________________________

33KV CABLES (Page 7 of 20)

SCHEDULE B
PLACE OF MANUFACTURE, TESTING AND INSPECTION
The Tenderer to complete the following schedule for all materials he proposes to supply

Item
No.

Description

Manufacturer

Place of
manufacture

Place of testing
and inspection

Name of Tenderer

:_________________________

Designation

:_________________________

Signature

:_________________________

Date

:_________________________

33KV CABLES (Page 8 of 20)

SCHEDULE C
DEVIATION FROM TENDER SPECIFICATION
The Tenderer to state in the following schedule the deviations from the tender specifications
proposed in his offer. Deviations other than those specifically listed below will not be taken
note of:
Item
No.

Description

Precise Details of the Deviations

Name of Tenderer

:_________________________

Designation

:_________________________

Signature

:_________________________

Date

:_________________________

33KV CABLES (Page 9 of 20)

SCHEDULE D-1
GUARANTEED TECHNICAL PARTICULARS
33KV XLPE CABLES
1Cx500
Description
Unit
sq.mm

S.No.
1.

Manufacturer and country of origin

2.

Applicable Standards

3.

Normal working voltage between phases

4.

Voltage grade of cable

5.

Number of cores

6.

Type of cable (Manufacturers designation)

7.

Conductor detail

a)

Material

b)

Compacted

c)

Number of wires in each conductor

No.

d)

Diameter of wire in each conductor

mm

e)

Area
Diameter of conductor in stranded and
compacted shape.

f)

1Cx240
sq.mm

KV
Uo/Umax
Single/
Three

Yes/No

Sq.mm
mm

8.

Semi conductive tape over conductor

i)

Material

ii)

No. of layers

No.

iii)

Nominal diameter after taping

mm

9.

Conductor Screen

i)

Material

ii)

Nominal thickness

mm

iii)

Minimum thickness

mm

iv)

Total diameter after conductor screen

mm

v)
10.

Whether extruded
Maximum dielectric stress at nominal
voltage

Yes/No.

a)

At conductor screen (assumed smooth)

KV/mm

b)

At core/insulation screen

KV/mm
Name of Tenderer

:_________________________

Designation

:_________________________

Signature

:_________________________

Date

:_________________________

33KV CABLES (Page 10 of 20)

SCHEDULE D-1
GUARANTEED TECHNICAL PARTICULARS
33KV XLPE CABLES
1Cx500
Description
Unit
sq.mm

S.No.
11.

Insulation

a)

Material

b)

Nominal thickness of insulation

mm

c)

Minimum thickness at any point

mm

d)

Total diameter

mm

e)

Details of vulcanization process

i) Extrusion Method
ii) Curing Method
iii) Cooling Method

12.

Core/Insulation screen

a)

Semi conducting screen (extruded)

i)

b)

Material

ii) Nominal thickness

mm

iii) Minimum thickness

mm

iv) Total diameter

mm

Semi conducting tape

i)

c)

1Cx240
sq.mm

Material

ii) Nominal thickness

mm

iii) Minimum thickness

mm

iv) Width

mm

v) Total diameter

mm

Metallic shield/Screen
i)

Material

ii) Electrical cross section

mm2

iii) Min. cross section of each wire

mm2

iv) Number of wires

Pcs

v) Total diameter

mm

vi) Fault current rating for 1.0 sec kA

KA

Name of Tenderer

:_________________________

Designation

:_________________________

Signature

:_________________________

Date

:_________________________

33KV CABLES (Page 11 of 20)

SCHEDULE D-1
GUARANTEED TECHNICAL PARTICULARS
33KV XLPE CABLES
S.No.
d)

Description

Unit

Material

ii) Width and thickness

mm

iii) Lay length

mm

13.

Water Sealing

a)

Conductor longitudinal water blocking

provided ?
i) Material
ii) Location
Longitudinal water blocking for metallic
screen provided ?
i) Material
ii)

c)

d)

1Cx240
sq.mm

Spiral equalizing tape

i)

b)

1Cx500
sq.mm

Yes/No.
--Yes/No.
--

Location

--

Radial seal provided ?

i)

Material

ii)

Location

Yes/No.

Testing proposal enclosed for

i)

For longitudinal sealing

ii)

For radial sealing

Yes/No.

14.

Inner Sheath (if required):

a)

Material

b)

Type as per IEC

c)

Nominal thickness

Mm

d)

Minimum thickness at any point

Mm

15.

Armour (if required)

a)

Material

b)

Diameter of each wire

mm

--

c)

Number of wires

Nos.

--

d)

Total diameter

mm

--

e)

D.C. Resistance

Ohm/km

--

--

Name of Tenderer

:_________________________

Designation

:_________________________

Signature

:_________________________

Date

:_________________________
33KV CABLES (Page 12 of 20)

SCHEDULE D-1
GUARANTEED TECHNICAL PARTICULARS
33KV XLPE CABLES

S.No.

Description

Unit

1Cx500
sq.mm

f)

Tensile Strength

N/sq.mm

--

g)

Galvanizing Thickness

microns

--

16.

Outer covering : (Outer sheath)

a)

Material

b)

Colour

c)

Nominal thickness

mm

d)

Minimum thickness at any point

mm

e)

Termite resistant

Yes/No.

f)

i)

Yes/No.

Conductive coating

1Cx240
sq.mm

ii) Base material for conductive coating

16.

Nominal overall diameter of completed

cable

mm

17.

Minimum weight of copper (conductor)

Kg/m

18.

Minimum weight of copper (metallic sheath)

Kg/m

19.

Minimum weight of completed cable

Kg/m

20.

Allowable minimum radius of bend around

which cable can be laid :

21.

a) Buried directly or in air

b) In ducts

c) For sealing ends

a) Maximum DC resistance of conductor

at 200 C
b) Maximum DC resistance of metallic
screen

Ohm/km
Ohm/km

Name of Tenderer

:_________________________

Designation

:_________________________

Signature

:_________________________

Date

:_________________________

33KV CABLES (Page 13 of 20)

SCHEDULE D-1
GUARANTEED TECHNICAL PARTICULARS
33KV XLPE CABLES
S.No.

Description

22.

Maximum AC resistance of conductor

at 900 C
Equivalent star reactance of three phase
circuit at 500 C
Maximum charging current per conductor
at nominal voltage
Maximum dielectric loss of three phase
circuit when operating at normal voltage
and frequency at maximum conductor
temperature of 900 C
Maximum continuous current carrying
capacity per conductor when laid direct in
the ground to a depth of 1,000 mm, with
ground temperature of 350 C and assumed
g=1.50 m/w, 600mm circuit centers and
conductor temperature of 900 C
One three-phase circuit per trench laid

23.
24.
25.

26.

a)

i)

Unit

Ohm/km
MA/km

Trefoil formation

W/km

A
A

Two three-phase circuits, each in

i)

Trefoil formation

ii) Flat formation (200mm spacing)

c)

Three three-phase circuits, each in

i)

Trefoil formation

ii) Flat formation (200mm spacing)

Maximum continuous current carrying
capacity per conductor when drawn into
ducts at a ground temperature of 350 C and
assumed g=1.50 m/w 200mm circuit centers
and conductor temperature of 900C

a)

One three-phase circuit

b)

Two three-phase circuits

c)

Three three-phase circuits

27.

1Cx240
sq.mm

Ohm/km

ii) Flat formation (200mm spacing)

b)

1Cx500
sq.mm

Name of Tenderer

:_________________________

Designation

:_________________________

Signature

:_________________________

Date

:_________________________

33KV CABLES (Page 14 of 20)

SCHEDULE D-1
GUARANTEED TECHNICAL PARTICULARS
33KV XLPE CABLES
S.No.

Description

28.

Maximum continuous current carrying

capacity per conductor when installed in air
at an ambient temperature of 500 C and
conductor temperature of 900 C and circuit
centers 300mm.

a)

One three-phase circuit per trench laid

i)

Unit

Trefoil formation

Trefoil formation

ii) Flat formation (200mm spacing)

Trefoil formation

ii) Flat formation (200mm spacing)

30.

31.

32.

Three three-phase circuits, each in

i)

29.

Two three-phase circuits, each in

i)

c)

1Cx240
sq.mm

ii) Flat formation (200mm spacing)

b)

1Cx500
sq.mm

Metallic core screen losses in a cable of

three-phase circuit at nominal voltage, 50
Hz frequency and at current rating given in
item 28 (a), (b) & (c).
Metallic sheath/armour losses in a cable of
three-phase circuit at nominal voltage,
50Hz frequency and at current rating given
in item 28 (a), (b) & (c).
Conductor short-circuit current permissible
when short-circuit occurs at conductor
temperature as stated in item 28 (a), (b) &
(c) for period of :-

W/m

a) 1.0 Second

kA

b) 3.0 Second

kA

Earth fault short-circuit current carrying

capacity for 1 second, cable loaded as in
item 28 (a), (b) & (c) before short-circuit
and final limiting temperature of copper
screen armour or sheath.

kA

Name of Tenderer

:_________________________

Designation

:_________________________

Signature

:_________________________

Date

:_________________________
33KV CABLES (Page 15 of 20)

SCHEDULE D-1
GUARANTEED TECHNICAL PARTICULARS
33KV XLPE CABLES
S.No.

Description

33.

Maximum dielectric loss angle of charging

VA of cable at normal voltage and
frequency at a conductor temperature of :-

34.

a)

200 C

b)

900 C

Unit

1Cx500
sq.mm

1Cx240
sq.mm

Maximum dielectric loss angle of charging

VA of cable at normal frequency at a
conductor temperature of 200 C
a) At 0.5 Uo
b) At 2 Uo

35.

36.

Impulse withstand voltage (900 C) :a) Positive 1/50 wave

kVp

b) Negative 1/50 wave

KVp

Positive sequence :a) Resistance

Ohms/km

b) Reactance

Ohms/km

c) Capacitance
37.

pF/km

Negative sequence :a) Resistance

Ohms/km

b) Reactance

Ohms/km

c) Capacitance

pF/km

Name of Tenderer

:_________________________

Designation

:_________________________

Signature

:_________________________

Date

:_________________________

33KV CABLES (Page 16 of 20)

SCHEDULE D-1
GUARANTEED TECHNICAL PARTICULARS
33KV XLPE CABLES
S.No.
38.

Description

Unit

1Cx240
sq.mm

Zero sequence :a) Resistance

Ohms/km

b) Reactance

Ohms/km

c) Capacitance
39.

1Cx500
sq.mm

pF/km

Maximum conductor temperature

a) Continuous

b) Short time

40.

Total power loss (three phase system)

kw/km

41.

Maximum permissible pulling force at total

cable in drums

42.

Cable drum details :-

a)

Nominal delivery length per drum

b)

Maximum delivery length per drum

c)

Maximum gross weight of full drum

Kg

d)

Steel or wooden drum

e)

Weight of empty drum

f)

Drum dimensions

kN

Kg

i)

Flange diameter

mm

ii)

Bore diameter

mm

iii) Width

mm

Name of Tenderer

:_________________________

Designation

:_________________________

Signature

:_________________________

Date

:_________________________

33KV CABLES (Page 17 of 20)

SCHEDULE D-2
PARTICULARS & GUARANTEES TO THE CROSS-LINKED
POLYETHYLENE INSULATING MATERIAL
S.No.

Description

Unit

1.

Minimum tensile strength at 230 C

2.

Minimum elongation at break at 230 C

3.

Ageing test (168 Hrs. at 135 + 30 C

a)

Tensile strength
Maximum variation

b)

Elongation at break
Maximum variation in elongation at break

4.

Water absorption test (at 85 + 20 C,336 Hrs.

Maximum variation of mass

5.

Minimum volume resistivity at 900 C

6.

Mg/cm
Ohm-cm

Hot set test (at 200 C, 15 minutes,

20N/cm2)
a)

Elongation

b)

Set

% max
% max
0

Shrinkage test @ 1 Hr. 130 + 3 C

Maximum shrinkage

8.

Insulation resistance constant at 900 C

9.

Dielectric power factor as a function of

voltage at ambient temperature :

11.

N/sq.mm

7.

10.

Guaranteed
Particulars

% max
Mohm-km

a) Maximum tan delta at Uo

x 10-4

b) Maximum increment at tan delta

between 0.5 Uo and 2 Uo

x 10-4

Dielectric power factor as a function of

temperature at 2 KV :
a) Maximum tan delta at Uo

x 10-4

b) Maximum increment at tan delta

between 0.5 Uo and 2 Uo

x 10-4

Maximum partial discharge at 1.73 Uo

PC

Name of Tenderer

:_________________________

Designation

:_________________________

Signature

:_________________________

Date

:_________________________

33KV CABLES (Page 18 of 20)

SCHEDULE D-3
PARTICULARS & GUARANTEES RELATING TO PE OUTER COVERING
S.No.

Description

1.

Tensile test and elongation at break without

ageing.

a)

Minimum tensile strength

b)

Minimum elongation at break

2.

After accelerated ageing for 14 days @ 110

+ 20 C

a)

Tensile Strength:

N/m2

ii) Variation (Maximum)

c)

Guaranteed
Particulars

N/m2

i) Value (Minimum)

b)

Unit

Elongation at break:
i) Value (Minimum)

ii) Variation (Maximum)

Minimum elongation at break

3.

Pressure test @ 115 + 2 C

Maximum indentation

4.

Insulation resistance constant K at 200 (Min)

5.

Flame retardance test

6.

Carbon black content

7.

Water penetration test

8.

Sheath test voltage

9.

Shrinkage test as per IEC 60811:

M-Km

Maximum shrinkage

Name of Tenderer

:_________________________

Designation

:_________________________

Signature

:_________________________

Date

:_________________________

33KV CABLES (Page 19 of 20)

SCHEDULE E
DETAILS OF PAST EXPERIENCE OF MANUFACTURER

Name and address

Quantity
supplied

Year of
supply

Remarks

Signature

:_________________________

Designation

:_________________________

Name of Tenderer

;_________________________

Date

:_________________________

33KV CABLES (Page 20 of 20)