Miniature Crack or Damage Detection on Cable Insulation and Jacket Using Conformal Surface Wave Reflectometry

This letter introduces the study and application of a conformal surface wave launcher array to detect miniature insulation and/or jacket damage on unshielded cables. Simulation and experimental results are presented that demonstrate that with the proposed concept, very small instances of damage at various distances along power cables can be detected. Effects of damage detection feasibility in the presence of other cables in proximity and for cables containing semiconducting screen are also presented.