ABSTRACT

Cable failure reporting in the United States had its beginning by action of the Edison Electric Institute and its predecessor the National Electric Light Association. A significant early report covered the performance of paperinsulated, lead-covered cables, splices, and terminations beginning in 1923. Failure rates of cable were reported in units per 100 installed miles for a variety of causes. Splice and termination reports were based on failures per 1,000 units that were in service. These reports were continued through 1966 and served both as a useful performance guide as well as a barometer of the effectiveness of the cable specifications in effect. The National Electric Light Association prepared the first U.S. paper cable specification in 1920 for cables rated up to 15 kV. The Association of Edison Illuminating Companies took over this responsibility and upgraded this to 45 kV in 1930 [20-1].