1. Introduction to Trailing Cable Testing 拖曳电缆测试简介

Trailing and reeling cables pose an elevated safety risk in mining operations because a damaged trailing cable can lead to earthing faults and expose workers to direct and indirect electric shock hazards. Under Australian mine safety legislation, these cables require specific design mitigation measures and mandatory periodic testing to ensure ongoing electrical integrity and worker protection. The testing regime encompasses both insulation resistance (IR) testing and earth continuity protection verification, with frequencies determined by the type of mining operation and the applicable state regulations.

在采矿作业中，拖曳和卷绕电缆存在较高的安全风险，因为损坏的拖曳电缆可能导致接地故障，使工人面临直接和间接电击危害。根据澳大利亚矿山安全立法，这些电缆需要特定的设计缓解措施和强制性定期测试，以确保持续的电气完整性和工人保护。测试制度包括绝缘电阻(IR)测试和接地连续性保护验证，测试频率由采矿作业类型和适用的州法规确定。

Trailing and reeling cables must conform to Australian Standard AS/NZS 2802:2000 for mining and general use (other than underground coal mining) or AS/NZS 1802:2018 for underground coal mining purposes. Both standards require cables to incorporate a pilot core arranged to cut off the supply of electricity in the event of a break in the earthing circuit, enabling the critical earth continuity monitoring protection to function effectively.

拖曳和卷绕电缆必须符合澳大利亚标准AS/NZS 2802:2000（用于采矿和一般用途，地下煤矿除外）或AS/NZS 1802:2018（用于地下煤矿目的）。两个标准都要求电缆配备导向芯，在接地电路中断时切断电力供应，使关键的接地连续性监控保护有效运作。

Reference: WorkSafe WA – Trailing and Reeling Cables

2. Australian Regulatory Framework 澳大利亚监管框架

The testing requirements for trailing cables in Australian mines are governed by a combination of federal Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation, state-specific mining regulations, and referenced Australian Standards. Understanding this regulatory hierarchy is essential for compliance, as testing frequencies and specific requirements may vary between jurisdictions and mining types.

澳大利亚矿山拖曳电缆的测试要求由联邦工作健康与安全(WHS)立法、州特定采矿法规和参考的澳大利亚标准共同管理。了解这一监管层次对合规至关重要，因为测试频率和具体要求可能因管辖区和采矿类型而异。

Reference: WA Legislation – WHS (Mines) Regulations 2022

3. Mandatory Testing Frequency Requirements 强制性测试频率要求

The Work Health and Safety (Mines) Regulations 2022 (WA) and equivalent regulations in other states establish specific testing intervals for earth continuity protection systems on trailing cables. These intervals are differentiated based on the type and location of mining operations, with underground operations and quarries requiring more frequent testing due to the elevated risk environment.

《2022年工作健康与安全（矿山）条例》（西澳）及其他州的等效条例规定了拖曳电缆接地连续性保护系统的具体测试间隔。这些间隔根据采矿作业的类型和位置进行区分，地下作业和采石场由于风险环境较高，需要更频繁的测试。

Reference: WorkSafe WA – Earth Continuity Protection Testing

3.1 Additional Testing Triggers 额外测试触发条件

Beyond the routine maintenance intervals, testing must also be performed in specific circumstances to verify the ongoing integrity of the protection systems and cable insulation.

除常规维护间隔外，还必须在特定情况下进行测试，以验证保护系统和电缆绝缘的持续完整性。

Reference: Standards New Zealand – AS/NZS 1747:2022

4. Earth Continuity Protection Testing 接地连续性保护测试

Earth continuity protection is a critical safety system for trailing cables that functions by establishing a loop current through the pilot core, returning through the cable earth. This is achieved using an earth continuity protection relay that applies a low voltage DC signal between the pilot and earth of the cable. By measuring this signal, the resistance of the circuit can be determined and protection operation initiated for variance from a pre-tested value. This variance is indicative of a break in the earth return path, deterioration of the cable, or a reduction in earth resistance that could lead to indirect contact electric shock hazards.

接地连续性保护是拖曳电缆的关键安全系统，通过在导向芯中建立回路电流，通过电缆接地返回来运作。这是通过使用接地连续性保护继电器实现的，该继电器在电缆的导向和接地之间施加低压直流信号。通过测量此信号，可以确定电路的电阻，并在偏离预测值时启动保护操作。这种偏差表明接地返回路径中断、电缆劣化或接地电阻降低，可能导致间接接触电击危害。

4.1 Pre-Tested Value Establishment 预测值建立

The earth continuity protection system relies on the accuracy of a pre-tested pilot and earth loop resistance value. This baseline value must be established at commissioning and recorded in the electrical logbook. All subsequent routine testing compares current measurements against this pre-tested value to detect deterioration or damage.

接地连续性保护系统依赖于预测导向和接地回路电阻值的准确性。该基线值必须在调试时建立，并记录在电气日志中。所有后续的例行测试将当前测量值与该预测值进行比较，以检测劣化或损坏。

Reference: Prysmian – Mining Cables Guide

5. Insulation Resistance Testing 绝缘电阻测试

Insulation resistance testing evaluates the integrity of the cable’s insulation by measuring the DC resistance between conductors and between conductors and earth. This test detects insulation deterioration caused by moisture ingress, mechanical damage, thermal degradation, or aging. For trailing cables in mining applications, insulation resistance testing is a critical component of the overall cable maintenance program and must be performed at intervals appropriate to the severity of the application and in accordance with the site safety management plan.

绝缘电阻测试通过测量导体之间以及导体与地之间的直流电阻来评估电缆绝缘的完整性。该测试检测由潮气侵入、机械损坏、热降解或老化引起的绝缘劣化。对于采矿应用中的拖曳电缆，绝缘电阻测试是整体电缆维护计划的关键组成部分，必须按照适合应用严重程度的间隔并根据现场安全管理计划进行。

5.1 Recommended IR Testing Intervals 推荐的IR测试间隔

5.2 Test Voltage Selection 测试电压选择

The test voltage for insulation resistance testing must be appropriate for the cable’s voltage rating. Using excessive test voltage can damage the insulation, while insufficient voltage may not reveal developing faults. The following table provides guidance on test voltage selection based on cable operating voltage.

绝缘电阻测试的测试电压必须适合电缆的额定电压。使用过高的测试电压可能会损坏绝缘，而电压不足可能无法发现正在发展的故障。下表根据电缆工作电压提供测试电压选择指南。

Reference: RS Components Australia – Insulation Resistance Testing Guide

6. Test Procedures and Methods 测试程序和方法

All testing of trailing cables must be performed in accordance with AS/NZS 1747:2022, which sets out the standard procedures for the repair and testing of reeling, trailing, and feeder cables used in mining applications. Earth continuity protection must be installed, commissioned, and tested in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations, which are required to conform to this standard.

所有拖曳电缆的测试必须按照AS/NZS 1747:2022进行，该标准规定了采矿应用中使用的卷绕、拖曳和馈电电缆的维修和测试标准程序。接地连续性保护必须按照制造商的说明和建议进行安装、调试和测试，这些说明和建议必须符合该标准。

6.1 Insulation Resistance Test Procedure 绝缘电阻测试程序

6.2 Earth Continuity Protection Test Procedure 接地连续性保护测试程序

Reference: Intertek – AS/NZS 1747:2003

7. Pass/Fail Criteria 通过/失败标准

Clear pass/fail criteria are essential for making informed decisions about cable serviceability. Any insulation resistance reading below the minimum acceptable value requires immediate investigation, and the cable should be withdrawn from service until the cause is identified and rectified.

明确的通过/失败标准对于做出关于电缆适用性的明智决定至关重要。任何低于最小可接受值的绝缘电阻读数都需要立即调查，电缆应退出服务，直到确定并纠正原因。

7.1 Trend Analysis 趋势分析

Beyond absolute values, trending of insulation resistance over time is critical for predictive maintenance. A significant downward trend, even if still above minimum values, indicates deteriorating insulation that may require intervention. Records should be maintained to enable this analysis, with readings corrected to a standard temperature (typically 20°C or 40°C) for valid comparison.

除绝对值外，绝缘电阻随时间的趋势对预测性维护至关重要。显著的下降趋势，即使仍高于最小值，也表明绝缘正在劣化，可能需要干预。应保留记录以进行此分析，读数应校正到标准温度（通常为20°C或40°C）以进行有效比较。

Reference: Megger – Complete Guide to Electrical Insulation Testing

8. Documentation Requirements 文件记录要求

Comprehensive documentation is a regulatory requirement for all electrical testing at mines. Records and details of electrical installing work carried out at the mine must be recorded in the electrical logbook. This includes commissioning check sheets and test records, which must be kept with an entry in the logbook indicating where these documents can be found. The earth continuity protection relay itself should have a label affixed indicating the test date and who conducted the tests, including company details.

全面的文件记录是矿山所有电气测试的监管要求。在矿山进行的电气安装工作的记录和详情必须记录在电气日志中。这包括调试检查表和测试记录，这些记录必须保存，日志中应有条目说明这些文件的存放位置。接地连续性保护继电器本身应贴有标签，标明测试日期和进行测试的人员，包括公司详情。

Reference: Queensland Resources – Recognised Standard 01

9. State-Specific Variations 各州特定差异

While the harmonised WHS legislation provides a consistent national framework, some state-specific variations exist in testing requirements and frequencies. Mine operators must ensure compliance with the specific regulations applicable to their jurisdiction.

虽然统一的WHS立法提供了一致的国家框架，但各州在测试要求和频率方面存在一些特定差异。矿山运营商必须确保遵守适用于其管辖区的特定法规。

Reference: Business Queensland – Mining Legislation and Standards

10. Contact Information 联系方式

For technical consultation on trailing cable testing requirements, AS/NZS compliant mining cables, or customised cable solutions for Australian mining operations, please contact our engineering team.

如需有关拖曳电缆测试要求、符合AS/NZS标准的采矿电缆或澳大利亚采矿作业定制电缆解决方案的技术咨询，请联系我们的工程团队。