IEEE 1018-2013

Revision Standard - Superseded.

Minimum requirements for the design, construction, manufacturing, testing, purchasing, and application of electric submersible pump (ESP) cable are presented.

The cable is round or flat, with ethylene-propylene rubber insulation, nitrile jacket, ethylene-propylene diene monomer (EPDM) jacket or lead sheath, and armor.

These cables are for voltages not exceeding 3 kV or 5 kV (phase to phase) and conductor temperatures not exceeding 140 ºC (284 ºF) for nitrile or a maximum of 232 ºC (450 ºF) for EPDM jacket or lead sheath cable.

Conductor, insulation, barrier (optional), assembly with or without jacket, armor, requirements for testing by the manufacturer, and cable ampacity are all covered in the document.

This recommended practice establishes recommendations for three-conductor round and flat oil-well cables used in supplying three-phase ac electric power to submersible pump motors.

The three major cables by components are as follows:

• a) Cables with copper conductors, ethylene-propylene diene monomer (EPDM) insulation, nitrile jacket, and metallic armor
• b) Cables with copper conductors, EPDM insulation, EPDM jacket, and metallic armor
• c) Cables with copper conductors, EPDM insulation, lead sheath, and metallic armor

Guidelines for specifying *Electric Submersible Pump (ESP) Cable* with **Ethylene Propylene Rubber (EPR) Insulation** include the following considerations:

Insulation Material: Use Ethylene Propylene Rubber (EPR) as the insulation material to ensure excellent thermal stability, flexibility, and resistance to water and chemicals.

Cable Construction: Specify a multi-conductor cable design with suitable conductor size and strand configuration to handle the required current load and mechanical stresses.

Voltage Rating: Choose the voltage rating according to the operational requirements of the ESP system, typically ranging from low to medium voltage levels.

Sheath and Armoring: Include an outer sheath of durable material resistant to abrasion, moisture, and chemical exposure. Consider metallic armoring for enhanced mechanical protection in harsh environments.

Temperature and Environmental Ratings: Ensure the cable insulation and sheath can withstand the maximum operating temperatures and environmental conditions such as submersion, pressure, and exposure to oils or chemicals.

Electrical and Mechanical Testing: Specify requirements for electrical tests (e.g., insulation resistance, high-voltage tests) and mechanical tests (e.g., tensile strength, elongation) to verify cable performance and reliability.

Compliance and Standards: Ensure the cable conforms to industry standards and certifications relevant to ESP applications, such as API, ICEA, or manufacturer-specific standards.