By sion932 
With the continuous expansion of global power grids and the increasing demand for efficient energy transmission, high-voltage power cable systems have become the backbone of modern energy infrastructure. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) released the third edition of the standard IEC 62067-2022 on April 21, 2022, replacing the previous IEC 62067:2011 edition. This standard specifies unified test methods and technical requirements for power cable systems with extruded insulation and their accessories used in fixed installations, covering rated voltages above 150 kV (Um = 170 kV) up to and including 500 kV (Um = 550 kV) . As a pivotal international normative document in the field of high-voltage power transmission, IEC 62067-2022 plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety, reliability, and interoperability of power cable systems worldwide.
1. Scope and Application Boundaries of the Standard
The core scope of IEC 62067-2022 focuses on single-core power cables with extruded insulation and their matching accessories under normal installation and operation conditions . Extruded insulation technology, characterized by materials such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), is widely adopted in high-voltage cables due to its excellent electrical insulation performance, chemical stability, and mechanical strength . These materials typically exhibit high resistivity (exceeding 10^15 Ω·cm), low dielectric loss, and good heat resistance, making them suitable for long-term stable operation in complex power transmission environments.
It should be emphasized that the standard explicitly excludes special types of cables and their accessories, such as submarine cables. For these special applications, modifications to standard test procedures or the development of custom test conditions may be necessary . Additionally, transition joints between extruded insulation cables and paper-insulated cables are not covered by this document, which helps to clarify the standard’s application boundaries and avoid ambiguity in practical implementation.
2. Key Technical Requirements and Design Criteria
2.1 Rated Voltage Definition and Insulation Performance Requirements
Rated voltage is a fundamental parameter defined in IEC 62067-2022, referring to the maximum voltage that power cable equipment can continuously withstand without thermal damage during normal operation . The standard classifies rated voltages in detail, covering a series of levels such as 220 kV, 330 kV, and 500 kV, which provides clear design guidelines for manufacturers to select appropriate materials and determine structural specifications. For extruded insulation materials, the standard imposes strict requirements on electrical performance, including breakdown voltage, insulation resistance, and resistance to partial discharge. These requirements ensure that the insulation layer can effectively isolate conductive parts, reducing the risks of short circuits and leakage current, thereby enhancing the overall stability of the power system .
2.2 Material Selection and Manufacturing Process Specifications
Material selection is a critical link in complying with IEC 62067-2022. The standard requires that extruded insulation materials must meet specific electrical, mechanical, thermal, and environmental resistance performance indicators. Manufacturers are obligated to provide performance certification documents for materials, such as dielectric strength test reports . In terms of manufacturing processes, the standard emphasizes the importance of process control, including precise temperature control during extrusion (to ensure uniform melting of materials without degradation), balanced pressure application (to avoid bubbles or incomplete compaction defects), rational mold design (to guarantee dimensional accuracy and surface finish of products), and appropriate cooling rate control (to prevent internal stress concentration in materials) . These process requirements are essential to ensuring the consistency and reliability of cable quality.
2.3 Safety Design Criteria
IEC 62067-2022 specifies clear safety design criteria for high-voltage power cable systems, including minimum electrical clearance, creepage distance, and mechanical strength requirements . The minimum electrical clearance ensures no electrical breakdown under normal operating voltages, while the creepage distance prevents surface flashover under contaminated conditions. The mechanical strength requirements ensure that cables and accessories can withstand mechanical stresses during transportation, installation, and operation. Additionally, the standard mandates the inclusion of appropriate safety factors in the design to accommodate unexpected loads and environmental impacts, further improving the safety margin of the system.
3. Core Test Methods Specified in the Standard
To verify compliance with technical requirements, IEC 62067-2022 details a series of mandatory test methods, covering insulation performance, thermal stability, and mechanical reliability. These tests are designed to simulate actual operating conditions and identify potential defects in cables and accessories.
3.1 Insulation Performance Tests
Insulation performance tests are the core of the standard, including withstand voltage tests and partial discharge tests. The withstand voltage test verifies whether the insulation strength meets the design requirements by applying a specified overvoltage for a certain duration . The partial discharge test detects micro-discharge phenomena inside the insulation, which is crucial for evaluating the long-term service life of the insulation layer—early detection of partial discharge can prevent insulation degradation and avoid catastrophic failures . The standard specifies detailed requirements for test equipment, test procedures, sample preparation, and environmental conditions to ensure the accuracy and repeatability of test results.
3.2 Thermal Stability Tests
The temperature rise test is a key method to assess the thermal stability of power cable systems. This test verifies whether the cable and its accessories can maintain stable performance under long-term operating conditions without excessive temperature rise that would damage the insulation material or other components . The standard defines specific test conditions, such as load current and ambient temperature, and specifies the maximum allowable temperature rise limits for different parts of the cable.
3.3 Mechanical Performance Tests
Mechanical performance tests include tensile strength tests, compression strength tests, and bending tests. These tests evaluate the ability of cables and accessories to withstand mechanical stresses during installation and operation. For example, the bending test simulates the bending process during cable laying to ensure that the insulation layer and outer sheath do not crack or damage, which is particularly important for ensuring the integrity of the cable system in complex installation environments.
4. Industry Impact and Significance of IEC 62067-2022
4.1 Promoting Standardization and Interoperability
As an international standard, IEC 62067-2022 unifies technical requirements and test methods for high-voltage extruded insulation power cables across different countries and regions. This standardization eliminates technical trade barriers, facilitates the global circulation of power cable products, and promotes international cooperation in the power industry. Manufacturers can design and produce products in accordance with a unified standard, ensuring that their products are compatible with power grid systems in various countries, thereby improving market accessibility.
4.2 Enhancing the Safety and Reliability of Power Grids
The strict technical requirements and test methods specified in IEC 62067-2022 effectively improve the quality level of high-voltage power cable systems. By ensuring the excellent insulation performance, thermal stability, and mechanical reliability of cables and accessories, the standard reduces the occurrence of electrical faults such as insulation breakdown and short circuits, thereby enhancing the overall safety and stability of power grids. This is of great significance for preventing large-scale power outages and ensuring the continuous supply of energy to industrial production and daily life.
4.3 Guiding Technological Innovation and Sustainable Development
IEC 62067-2022 not only provides normative requirements but also guides technological innovation in the power cable industry. The standard’s emphasis on the performance of extruded insulation materials encourages manufacturers to develop new high-performance insulation materials and optimize extrusion processes, which helps to improve energy transmission efficiency and reduce energy loss. Additionally, the long-term stability requirements specified in the standard promote the development of durable and low-maintenance cable products, reducing the environmental impact of product replacement and maintenance, and aligning with the global goal of sustainable development.
IEC 62067-2022 is a milestone standard in the field of high-voltage power transmission, which systematically regulates the test methods and technical requirements for extruded insulation power cable systems and their accessories with rated voltages from 150 kV to 500 kV. By clarifying application boundaries, defining strict technical indicators, and specifying standardized test procedures, the standard provides strong technical support for ensuring the safety, reliability, and interoperability of power cable products worldwide. For manufacturers, complying with this standard is an important prerequisite for entering the international market and improving product competitiveness; for power grid operators, it is a key guarantee for building a stable and efficient power transmission system. As the global energy structure continues to transform and upgrade, IEC 62067-2022 will continue to play an indispensable role in promoting the healthy development of the high-voltage power cable industry and supporting the construction of modern energy infrastructure.
References
[1] 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.
[2] IEC. (2022). IEC 62067:2022 RLV 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 (Redline version). IEC Webstore.
[3] AFNOR EDITIONS. (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.
[4] GlobalSpec. (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.