To develop a system that can detect defects in High Voltage (HV) underground cables and associated accessories in order that maintenance can be carried out before the cable or accessory failure occurs.

The system will monitor industry standard parameters of asset condition but with innovative application of new technology will allow condition monitoring of assets which previously either could not be monitored or not cost effective.

One of primary conditional indicators to be monitored is partial discharge (PD) that occur at defects in the insulation systems. These PDs create tiny current and voltage pulses that can be picked up at distances of up to four kilometres by highly sensitive PD sensors. The developed technology will allow these signals to be located in order that preventative maintenance can be carried out in a timely manner.

Additionally, the system will monitor various other parameters of the HV cable such as sheath voltage, leakage current and voltage spikes which all aid in the assessment of asset condition.

By combining the various parameters, trending of data and proactively repairing assets, the system will reduce the occurrences of power failures in High Voltage networks and improve the performance of regional and national power networks which communities in developing countries rely on.