By sion932 
With the rapid development of global power grids, the demand for high-voltage power transmission systems has surged, placing higher requirements on the safety, reliability, and performance of power cable systems. As a pivotal international standard in the field of high-voltage power cables, IEC 62067-2022, officially released by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on April 21, 2022, specifies test methods and requirements for power cable systems with extruded insulation and their accessories. This standard plays a crucial role in unifying technical specifications, guiding product design and manufacturing, and ensuring the stable operation of power grids worldwide.
1. Scope and Application Boundaries of IEC 62067-2022
IEC 62067-2022 is specifically applicable to fixed-installation power cable systems, including extruded insulation cables and their accessories, with rated voltages above 150 kV (Um = 170 kV) up to and including 500 kV (Um = 550 kV). The core application objects are single-core cables and their matching accessories under normal installation and operation conditions. These cables and accessories are widely used in high-voltage power transmission and distribution projects, such as cross-regional power grids and large-scale industrial power supply systems.
It should be emphasized that this standard does not cover special cables and their accessories, such as submarine cables. Due to the harsh and complex operating environment of submarine cables, modifications to standard test methods or the development of special test conditions are usually required. Additionally, transition joints between extruded insulation cables and paper-insulated cables are not within the scope of this standard, as such joints involve technical compatibility issues between different insulation materials that require separate normative specifications.
2. Core Technical Requirements and Test Methods
2.1 Key Technical Parameters and Performance Requirements
The standard clearly defines the technical parameters that extruded insulation power cables and their accessories must meet, with a particular focus on insulation performance. Extruded insulation materials typically include thermosetting plastics such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), which are required to have high resistivity (usually above 10^15 Ω·cm) to effectively suppress current leakage, low dielectric loss to reduce energy consumption during operation, excellent heat resistance to maintain stable performance over a wide temperature range, and sufficient mechanical strength to resist damage during transportation, installation, and operation.
For cable accessories (such as terminations and joints), the standard specifies strict requirements for electrical insulation, mechanical connection, and environmental adaptability. For example, accessories must ensure reliable insulation coordination with cables to avoid electric field concentration, which could lead to partial discharge or breakdown. Meanwhile, they must withstand mechanical stresses such as vibration and tension during operation and have good resistance to humidity, salt spray, and ultraviolet radiation to adapt to different climatic environments.
2.2 Standard Test Methods
To verify whether products meet the above technical requirements, IEC 62067-2022 prescribes a series of rigorous test methods, covering multiple aspects such as insulation performance, thermal stability, and mechanical reliability:
- Withstand Voltage Test: This test is used to verify the insulation strength of cables and accessories. By applying a specified overvoltage for a certain duration, it is determined whether the insulation layer can withstand the electric field without breakdown, ensuring the safety of the equipment during overvoltage conditions (such as lightning strikes or grid transients).
- Partial Discharge Test: Partial discharge is an important indicator of insulation degradation. The standard requires testing for tiny discharge phenomena inside the insulation under operating voltage. Effectively detecting partial discharge can help evaluate the insulation quality and predict potential faults, thereby improving the reliability of the cable system.
- Temperature Rise Test: This test verifies the thermal stability of cables and accessories during long-term operation. By simulating rated load operation, the temperature rise of the cable conductor and insulation layer is measured to ensure that the product does not experience excessive temperature rise that would accelerate insulation aging and affect service life.
- Mechanical Performance Test: This includes tensile, compressive, and bending tests for cables and accessories, ensuring that they can withstand mechanical stresses during transportation and installation without damaging the insulation structure or electrical performance.
The standard also specifies detailed requirements for test equipment, test procedures, sample preparation, and environmental conditions to ensure the accuracy, repeatability, and comparability of test results.
3. Evolution from Previous Editions and Technical Improvements
IEC 62067-2022 is the 3.0 edition of the standard, replacing the previous IEC 62067:2011 edition. The IEC provides a redline version (IEC 62067:2022 RLV) that clearly shows all technical content changes compared to the previous edition, facilitating industry professionals to quickly grasp the update focus. One of the notable improvements is the adjustment of the maximum rated voltage parameter: the upper limit of Um in the 2011 edition was 500 kV, while the 2022 edition increases it to 550 kV, which is adapted to the development trend of higher voltage levels in global power transmission systems and meets the technical needs of large-capacity, long-distance power transmission.
In addition, the 2022 edition further optimizes test methods, such as refining partial discharge test criteria and improving the accuracy of temperature rise test simulation. These improvements make the standard more in line with the actual operating conditions of modern power grids, enhance the comprehensiveness of product performance evaluation, and provide more reliable technical support for the safe operation of high-voltage cable systems.
4. Significance and Impact on the Power Industry
As a core international standard in the high-voltage power cable field, IEC 62067-2022 has far-reaching significance for the global power industry. Firstly, it unifies technical specifications for high-voltage extruded insulation cable systems, reducing technical barriers to international trade and facilitating the global circulation of products. Manufacturers can enter the international market by complying with this standard, which helps promote the globalization of the power equipment industry.
Secondly, the standard provides clear design guidelines and quality control requirements for manufacturers, guiding the selection of insulation materials, optimization of extrusion processes, and improvement of accessory structures. By complying with the standard, manufacturers can improve product quality and reliability, reduce the probability of equipment failures, and further lower the operation and maintenance costs of power grids.
For power grid operators, the standard provides a reliable basis for the selection, installation, and maintenance of high-voltage cable systems. Strict compliance with IEC 62067-2022 can effectively improve the stability and safety of power grid operation, reduce the risk of power outages caused by cable faults, and ensure the stable supply of electric energy to industrial production and residential life.
IEC 62067-2022 adapts to the development needs of the global high-voltage power transmission industry, integrating the latest technical achievements and practical experience in the field. Its clear scope of application, rigorous technical requirements, and scientific test methods provide a unified and authoritative normative framework for the entire industry chain of high-voltage extruded insulation cable systems, from design and manufacturing to installation and operation.
With the continuous upgrading of global power grids, the role of IEC 62067-2022 will become more prominent. Industry professionals should actively grasp the standard’s requirements and updates, apply it to practical work, and promote the technological progress and high-quality development of the high-voltage power cable industry. In the future, with the advancement of insulation materials and cable manufacturing technology, the IEC will continue to revise and improve the standard to adapt to new industry development trends and provide sustained technical support for the safe, efficient, and stable operation of global power grids.
References
- IEC. (2022). IEC 62067:2022 Power cables with extruded insulation and their accessories for rated voltages above 150 kV (Um = 170 kV) up to 500 kV (Um = 550 kV) – Test methods and requirements. IEC Webstore.
- AFNOR EDITIONS. (2022). IEC 62067:2022 Predefined Offer. Boutique AFNOR.
- IEC. (2022). IEC 62067:2022 RLV Redline version. IEC Webstore.
- Standards.iteh.ai. (2022). IEC 62067:2022 Power cables with extruded insulation and their accessories for rated voltages above 150 kV (Um = 170 kV) up to 500 kV (Um = 550 kV) – Test methods and requirements.