Practice Test Geeks(NETA) InterNational Electrical Testing Association Certified Technicians Practice Test
← All NETA Flashcard Decks

Power Cable Test Methods Flashcards

7 cards from real NETA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Power Cable Test Methods flashcards as text

  1. When performing a DC high-potential test on a shielded cable, where should the voltage be applied?

    Answer: Between conductor and shield/ground

    DC hi-pot voltage is applied between the conductor and the grounded shield to stress the insulation as it would be in service.

  2. Which test method is best suited for locating the position of a fault in an underground cable?

    Answer: Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR)

    TDR sends a pulse along the cable and measures the reflected signal travel time to pinpoint fault location.

  3. A cable's insulation resistance reading drops significantly when corrected to 20°C compared to the reading taken at 40°C. What does this indicate?

    Answer: The insulation may be deteriorating since temperature correction should increase the reading

    Insulation resistance decreases with temperature, so a corrected (lower-temperature) value that is still low suggests genuine insulation degradation.

  4. What is the primary purpose of a guard terminal on a megohmmeter when testing cables?

    Answer: To eliminate surface leakage current from the measurement

    The guard terminal diverts surface leakage and connector contamination currents away from the measurement circuit so only bulk insulation current is read.

  5. During a VLF (Very Low Frequency) hipot test, what typical frequency is used?

    Answer: 0.1 Hz

    VLF testing uses 0.1 Hz to reduce reactive current demand on the test set compared to 60 Hz testing.

  6. A cable section shows an absorption ratio (IR1min / IR30sec) of 1.0. How should this result be interpreted?

    Answer: Insulation is likely contaminated or wet

    An absorption ratio of 1.0 means IR did not increase over time, indicating moisture or contamination is dominating the leakage current.

  7. Which NETA standard provides acceptance and maintenance test values for power cables?

    Answer: ANSI/NETA ATS

    ANSI/NETA ATS (Acceptance Testing Specifications) provides the tables and pass/fail criteria used during initial commissioning of power cables.