15 Samss 503
15 Samss 503
1 Scope............................................................ 2
2 Conflicts and Deviations................................ 2
3 References.................................................... 2
4 Vendor Experience........................................ 3
5 General Description....................................... 3
6 Design and Construction............................... 4
7 Factory Splices.............................................. 8
8 Cable Inspection and Testing...................... 11
9 Cable Shipment........................................... 12
10 Environmental Data..................................... 13
11 Additional Information
to be Supplied by Bidder...................... 14
Data Sheet......................................................... 16
1 Scope
This specification defines the mandatory requirements for the design, manufacture,
factory inspection, testing, and shipment of three conductor, solid dielectric insulated,
non-metallic sheathed, wire armored, submarine power cable rated for 5 kV, 15 kV or
35 kV. As an alternative, this specification also includes the requirements for composite
submarine cable containing fiber optic cable. The finished submarine cable shall be
designed for operation in a submarine and platform riser environment in waters of the
Arabian Gulf or the Red Sea in water depths up to 70 m. Quantities of cable required and
application data may be found in the Data Sheets which are a part of this specification.
2.1 If there are any conflicts between this Specification and associated purchasing,
project or engineering documents, this specification shall take precedence.
2.2 Direct all requests to deviate from this Specification in writing to the Company
or Buyer Representative, who shall follow internal company waiver procedure.
3 References
The following is a summary of all the documents which have been mentioned within
this Specification. The specific part(s) of these documents which are applicable have
been identified throughout this Specification.
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Document Responsibility: Electrical Systems Designs and Automation Standards Committee 15-SAMSS-503
Issue Date: 10 November 2012
Next Planned Update: 25 March 2017 Submarine Power Cable 5 kV through 35 kV
4 Vendor Experience
Designs, materials and methods of construction used in cable shall have a minimum of
6 years of verifiable, proven field experience. Vendor shall supply a User List
indicating User company name, installation site, date of installation, and characteristics
similar to cable quoted.
5 General Description
Page 3 of 17
Document Responsibility: Electrical Systems Designs and Automation Standards Committee 15-SAMSS-503
Issue Date: 10 November 2012
Next Planned Update: 25 March 2017 Submarine Power Cable 5 kV through 35 kV
5.3 Filler
Shaped formed Polypropylene or other plastic filler of cable core and interstices.
Cable marker (over the cable core, under the core binder). Cable binder of
synthetic woven tape.
6.1.1 Material
6.1.2 Stranding
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Document Responsibility: Electrical Systems Designs and Automation Standards Committee 15-SAMSS-503
Issue Date: 10 November 2012
Next Planned Update: 25 March 2017 Submarine Power Cable 5 kV through 35 kV
6.1.5 Insulation
Page 5 of 17
Document Responsibility: Electrical Systems Designs and Automation Standards Committee 15-SAMSS-503
Issue Date: 10 November 2012
Next Planned Update: 25 March 2017 Submarine Power Cable 5 kV through 35 kV
If specified on the DATA SHEET, the lead sheath shall meet the
requirements of ICEA S-97-682. The lead sheath can be a lead alloy.
The requirements for fiber optic cable, if specified, are found in 18-SAMSS-008.
Page 6 of 17
Document Responsibility: Electrical Systems Designs and Automation Standards Committee 15-SAMSS-503
Issue Date: 10 November 2012
Next Planned Update: 25 March 2017 Submarine Power Cable 5 kV through 35 kV
Three power conductors shall be cabled together, with the fiber optic
cable (if specified) in an outer interstice. The individual conductors shall
be cabled together with a left-hand lay and with a length of lay not
exceeding 35 times the individual core diameter. The interstices and
spaces of the cable shall be filled with polypropylene or other suitable
filler to form a firm cylindrical cross-section.
One 0.254 mm (10 mil) or two 0.1127mm (5 mil) thick copper or bronze
tapes shall be helically applied, over the cable core jacket, with a 20%
overlap.
Page 7 of 17
Document Responsibility: Electrical Systems Designs and Automation Standards Committee 15-SAMSS-503
Issue Date: 10 November 2012
Next Planned Update: 25 March 2017 Submarine Power Cable 5 kV through 35 kV
6.4.4 The outer layer of the overall covering shall include a few bright colored
ropes for identification and distinction between circuits.
6.4.5 Conduct either partial discharge test or X-RAY method on the section of
the cable joints in order to confirm the integrity of the factory joints.
7 Factory Splices
7.1 General
7.1.1 Core splicing shall be performed prior to armoring. Core splicing after
armoring is not acceptable.
7.1.3 For initial orders, a test splice, witnessed by the Buyer, shall be
performed prior to the commencement of factory production splicing.
The test splice shall be performed on a section of the first cable length
produced and shall duplicate the materials and conditions under which
the factory production splicing is to be performed. The test splice shall
be radiographed or electrically tested, cut from the cable, sectionalized,
and examined for acceptability in meeting the criteria established for an
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Document Responsibility: Electrical Systems Designs and Automation Standards Committee 15-SAMSS-503
Issue Date: 10 November 2012
Next Planned Update: 25 March 2017 Submarine Power Cable 5 kV through 35 kV
7.1.4 It is the Buyer's intent to require of the Vendor to establish and maintain
a baseline of splice information such that production welds, insulation
and jacket splices, etc., may be evaluated unambiguously in the
determination of an acceptable splice.
7.1.5 Initial factory production splicing shall not proceed without written
agreement between the Vendor and the Buyer confirming that splicing
procedures, including conductor welding qualification, proposed splicing
equipment, and the test splice are acceptable.
7.2.1 Each power conductor shall be welded using qualified welder operators
and weld procedures qualified with plant welding equipment for use in
production welding.
The Vendor must perform five acceptable welds (acceptable welds are
defined as meeting the requirements of Paragraph 7.2.3, below), using
required weld parameters, i.e., current, pressure, upset travel distance of
platen, and other essential parameters as recommended by the equipment
manufacturer and further established by the Vendor for reproducible
weld quality
7.2.3 Weld samples shall be evaluated as follows and must meet the listed
acceptance criteria:
a) Visual inspection of the completed welds shall show consistent
width of welds, uniformity of upset over the weld circumference,
uniformity of axial shortening for the welded samples, full fusion,
an d no cracking.
b) Three welded tensile test samples are required for the welded
conductors. Each welded sample must meet a minimum of 80% of
the tensile strength as compared to a sample non-welded section of
the conductor.
Page 9 of 17
Document Responsibility: Electrical Systems Designs and Automation Standards Committee 15-SAMSS-503
Issue Date: 10 November 2012
Next Planned Update: 25 March 2017 Submarine Power Cable 5 kV through 35 kV
7.2.4 Welder operators shall be qualified using the weld procedure established
in Paragraph 7.2.3, above. Alternately, three sample welds shall be
welded by each operator and examined visually (Paragraph 7.2.3 a),
above) followed by tensile testing which must meet the 80% criteria as
noted in Paragraph 7.2.3b). Operators must be qualified using the same
plant equipment to be used in production welding utilized on the cable
plant production line.
After each production weld, the weld shall be visually examined in accordance
with 7.2.3 a). If the weld is questionable or unacceptable, the core area
containing the weld shall be removed and the splice procedure repeated.
7.4 Splices
7.4.1 Insulation splices shall utilize the hot molded method. After curing of
the insulation, the splice shall be electrically tested or a radiograph shall
be made of the splice area and that area overlapping onto the original
extruded cable insulation. The purpose of the radiograph will be to
verify concentricity of the insulation and the absence of voids within the
insulation. Vendor may use other methods to verify concentricity and
absence of voids if approved by the Company or Buyer representative
and concurred to by the Coordinator, Electrical Systems Division,
Consulting Services Department.
7.4.2 Jacket splices shall overlap the original extruded jacket material so as to
retain the watertight integrity of the jacket.
7.4.3 Metallic tapes used for shielding and/or terredo protection shall be made
electrically continuous throughout by soldering or welding.
7.4.5 Splicing requirements for fiber optic cable shall be in accordance with
18-SAMSS-008.
Page 10 of 17
Document Responsibility: Electrical Systems Designs and Automation Standards Committee 15-SAMSS-503
Issue Date: 10 November 2012
Next Planned Update: 25 March 2017 Submarine Power Cable 5 kV through 35 kV
8.1 General
8.1.1 The Vendor is required to submit with his bid a list of the cable
production tests and acceptance tests he will execute including tests for
fiber optic cables if specified. The submittal will include the expected
minimum test results. These test results will be used as one of the bases
for final acceptance of the cable by the Buyer. All test results, both those
specified herein and those optional tests (if any) conducted by the
Vendor, shall be retained and made available to the Buyer for his
inspection.
8.1.2 The Buyer will witness all acceptance tests performed on the completed
cable. The Buyer shall have the option of witnessing all factory
production tests.
Page 11 of 17
Document Responsibility: Electrical Systems Designs and Automation Standards Committee 15-SAMSS-503
Issue Date: 10 November 2012
Next Planned Update: 25 March 2017 Submarine Power Cable 5 kV through 35 kV
Test data shall be provided by the manufacturer for each fiber optic
cable, according to 18-SAMSS-008.
The buyer shall be notified whenever two consecutive tests show the cable
failing to meet minimum requirements. The Vendor shall present reasons for
the failure and proposals to eliminate the problem. Any three consecutive test
failures will necessitate a Buyer/Vendor meeting. The Vendor must obtain
written approval from the Buyer before continuing with testing.
Certified copies of all test results shall be submitted to the Buyer prior to
shipment of cables. Shipment shall not proceed until Buyer reviews and
approves the results and gives written approval for the release of the cable for
shipment.
8.5 Inspection
9 Cable Shipment
9.1 As specified in the DATA SHEET, the submarine power cable shall be bulk-
shipped from the factory by cable laying ship or ocean-going cable barge, or
shipped by utilizing steel reels, drums, flat coils, or tubs.
9.2 The minimum bending radius of the cable shall be specified by the manufacturer
and maintained during handling at the plant of manufacture or loading or
reeling.
9.3 The individual phase conductors, as well as the fiber optic cable(s) (if specified),
shall be sealed to prevent water ingress, and the cable end terminated in a full
tension pulling device.
Page 12 of 17
Document Responsibility: Electrical Systems Designs and Automation Standards Committee 15-SAMSS-503
Issue Date: 10 November 2012
Next Planned Update: 25 March 2017 Submarine Power Cable 5 kV through 35 kV
9.4 Cable shipped in flat coils shall be secured to prevent movement and protected
from external damage during shipment.
9.5 Portable cable containers or cribs shall be designed to provide complete cable
protection, maintaining the stated minimum bending radius, and include
provisions for lifting.
9.6 Steel reels shall be designed to withstand stresses developed during cable
installation. The design of reel flanges shall be suitable for use with brake bands
and the mounting of drive unit sprocket gears. The drum radius shall not be less
than the minimum cable bending radius. Cable shall be securely fastened to the
reel, with the drum end protected to avoid damage to the end or adjacent cable.
Exposed cable shall be protected with wood lagging, treated to prevent rotting,
or other suitable covering. The direction in which a reel may be rolled shall be
clearly marked on the flange sides.
9.7 Cables shipped in containers or on reels shall have the following information
securely fastened and plainly visible on each container or reel side:
a) Purchaser's Order Number
b) Destination of Shipment
c) Complete Description of Cable
d) Actual Shipping Length
e) Permanent Container or Reel Number
f) Gross weight
g) Net Weight
h) Maximum Cable Tension during Installation
10 Environmental Data
For the purpose of supplying cable and equipment to this specification, the following
environmental conditions shall apply unless otherwise specified for specific locations:
a) Location Offshore in Arabian Gulf or Red Sea
b) Ambient Air Temperature 0°C to 50°C Range
c) Humidity Range 0 to 100 %
d) Seawater Specific Gravity at 16°C - 1.033 at 35°C - 1.025
e) Seawater pH 7.7
f) Seawater Temperature Maximum = 36°C Minimum = 15.5°C
Page 13 of 17
Document Responsibility: Electrical Systems Designs and Automation Standards Committee 15-SAMSS-503
Issue Date: 10 November 2012
Next Planned Update: 25 March 2017 Submarine Power Cable 5 kV through 35 kV
11.1 In addition to all other information requested by the Bidder in the text of this
specification and the DATA SHEET, the Bidder is required to provide the
following information at the time of bid request:
a) Complete description of cable offered, including a dimensioned cross-
sectional drawing with all components clearly identified as to material
type, thickness, size, weights, tolerances, etc. Complete details of conflicts
with the minimums specified in this specification and the specification of
the proposed cable if the proposed cable will be manufactured to IEC
specifications.
b) Complete description of field and factory repair splices, including
dimensioned cross-sectional drawings and all listings of necessary material
and equipment required to perform field splices. Repair splices shall be
type-tested as required by CIGRE Recommendation 171.
c) Certified copies of all qualification tests set forth in the applicable AEIC
Specification.
d) Lead-sheathed cables shall have water-propagation tests as per CIGRE
Recommendation 171. Non-lead-sheathed cable shall have water absorption
tests as per AEIC/ICEA. Certified copies of all applicable test information
showing degradation of proposed insulating material due to water
immersion shall be provided. Information shall include AC breakdown
stress, kV/mm or V/mil, vs. immersion time. A complete cable description
and condition under which cable was tested shall accompany the test
information. Lacking adequate test data for proposed insulating material,
bidder shall provide data on that material having undergone the longest
water immersion test program. Bidders having no water immersion test data
shall so state, “No water immersion test data available.”
e) Information which substantiates the short-circuit capability of the metallic
shield for the proposed cable.
Page 14 of 17
Document Responsibility: Electrical Systems Designs and Automation Standards Committee 15-SAMSS-503
Issue Date: 10 November 2012
Next Planned Update: 25 March 2017 Submarine Power Cable 5 kV through 35 kV
11.2 The Bidder must respond to this specification, as written, and shall provide a
separate listing of all deviations to this specification; however, the Bidder is
solicited to offer, in a separate document, alternative designs insofar as equal
quality to this specification is maintained while accruing substantial cost savings
(purchase or operating costs) to the Buyer.
Revision Summary
25 March 2012 Major revision.
10 November 2012 Editorial revision to change 18-SAMSS-007 with 18-SAMSS-008.
Page 15 of 17
Document Responsibility: Electrical Systems Designs and Automation Standards Committee 15-SAMSS-503
Issue Date: 10 November 2012
Next Planned Update: 25 March 2017 Submarine Power Cable 5 kV through 35 kV
Data Sheet
Data Sheet - Power Conductor
Item To be Completed
No Description Units Specified By Vendor
06 Frequency Hertz 60
Page 16 of 17
Document Responsibility: Electrical Systems Designs and Automation Standards Committee 15-SAMSS-503
Issue Date: 10 November 2012
Next Planned Update: 25 March 2017 Submarine Power Cable 5 kV through 35 kV
Item To be Completed
No Description Units Specified By Vendor
a) Minimum kg _______________
b) Maximum kg _______________
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