Both fluid-filled and XLPE High Voltage Underground cables are an essential part of many urban transmission systems. While they offer a number of distinct advantages in certain environments, they are expensive to maintain and replace. Adding to these maintenance costs, many fluid-filled installations (self-contained and Pipe Type) have been in operation since the early twentieth century, and a great number of these systems are being operated outside their original design parameters. Additionally, demographic shifts leading to retirement and voluntary departures in the electrical utility industry have resulted in a decrease in technical knowledge and expertise in the area.

The objective of the Transmission Underground Cables Interest Group (TUCIG) is to provide a forum for the exchange of information on cable asset management and to establish and promote techniques and tools for improving the management of fluid-filled and XLPE High Voltage underground cable systems. The group’s current emphasis is on the development of a ranking system for weigh factors used in the health assessment of cables, with the ultimate goal of establishing maintenance priorities while taking budget concerns into account.