Overview

The core mission of the Transmission Underground Cables Interest Group is to support the participating member utilities with new techniques to improve the design and management of high voltage cables for underground transmission, in HV facilities, and in submarine applications. 

Focus areas

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    Strategies for Life Cycle Asset Management
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    Preventative and Corrective Maintenance
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    Replace/Refurbishment Programs
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    Available Technologies and Practices for Line Rating and Condition Monitoring Systems
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    Means of Minimizing Environmental Impact
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This group is for

High voltage cable subject matter experts, engineers, and managers
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Technical Advisor Support
Steve Haddock
Steve Haddock
Transmission Underground Cables

Steve Haddock is a utility expert with over 34 years of experience maintaining and managing transmission lines and cable equipment. He began his career at one of the largest electric utilities in North America as a high voltage underground cable splicer, maintaining and splicing cables up to 230 kV. Mr. Haddock progressed through a wide range of positions with increasing levels of responsibility, leading up to becoming the Director of Business Development at a medium sized international utility consulting firm.

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Top Resources
SOFTWARE
Cable Health Index Software
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The use of a cable health index enables condition information to be used consistently to assist with the end-of-life decision-making process and to approximate expenditure expectations in future years. The Cable Health Asset Index Software is meant to simplify the implementation of index-based evaluation of cable assets by utilities, providing an easy-to-use graphical user interface and a fully accessible and modifiable database built upon the index itself, outlined in an associated report.
REFERENCE RESOURCES
Transmission Underground Cable Reference Manual, 3 Volumes: Maintenance, Installation and Inspection, and XLPE Transmission Cable Design
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CEATI’s Transmission Underground Cables Interest Group collected a large body of documentation from individual utilities, supplemented it with other industry practices, and organized it into a standard format for the development of this three-part reference manual. Since the source documents reflect the procedures of many prominent power utilities, this reference manual provides information that is equivalent to “best in class” practices.
TRAINING
Transmission Underground Cable Reference Manual Training Video Series
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Three videos were developed to enhance the Transmission Underground Cable Reference Manual. These videos offer visual aids that demonstrate a wide range of work procedures that are detailed in written form within the reference manual: Video 1 - Cable Pulling Procedures; Video 2 - Cable Jointing Procedures for XLPE; Video 3 - Cable Terminations Procedures for XLPE.
GUIDANCE DOCUMENT
An Assessment of Technologies to Permit Safe Entry into Vaults and Manholes with Energized Equipment
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This report reviews technologies for assessing electrical hazards in underground vaults with energized transmission cables, focusing on detecting cable degradation and reducing arc flash energy risks to workers. It highlights industry tools, measurement equipment, and safety procedures for pre-entry hazard analysis. Both current and emerging methods are covered, along with decision-making guidelines to help users develop tailored hazard strategies. The report also evaluates limitations of existing practices.
GUIDANCE DOCUMENT
Guide for the Development of Business Cases for Replacement of Transmission Cable Assets
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Because cable replacement is costly, engineers and asset managers must justify projects to senior management and regulators through well-prepared business cases. This guide offers a best-practice template to clearly present key points and rationale, turning proposals into compelling justifications for resource allocation. Appendices A–C include example business cases for LPFF, HPFF, and XLPE cable systems.