American Petroleum Institute

Recommended Practice for Testing of Electric Submersible Pump Cable Systems - FIRST EDITION
 N RP 11S6

Annotation

GENERAL

This recommended practice covers testing of Electric Submersible Pump Cable Systems. Cable testing, in general, can be broken into two basic categories: Factory Testing and Field Testing. This recommended practice only addresses procedures for Field Testing.

Factory Tests provide assurance that the finished product meets the anticipated performance criteria for the intended application. All the tests involved are used to detect gross cable defects in materials and workmanship. Typical tests on new cable include ac, dc, IR and Conductor Resistance, and are covered under such standards as IEEE 400, IEEE 1017, IEEE 1018, and IEEE 1019.

One consideration of any testing is that an electrical failure may not occur on a damaged cable during the actual test since testing is done under controlled conditions relative to oil well conditions. A more costly failure may then occur with the damaged cable downhole. Testing is simply an indicator of the insulation at that time. It is not a guarantee of future performance.

The test procedures and values outlined in this document are based upon accepted practices. Nevertheless, engineering judgment should be used to determine values and procedures applicable in specific situations.

ORGANIZATION

This recommended practice addresses field testing of electric submersible pump cable systems. It is organized into three major topic categories. The first category provides general definitions and overview of terms, safety considerations, and cable system preparation guidelines (Sections 2-6). The second category identifies various situations under which testing is performed (Sections 7-10). The third category identifies test methods and procedures (Sections 11-14).