Advantages and disadvantages of embedment to prevent external mechanical damages to submarine cables

The CIGRE paper 'Methods to Prevent Mechanical Damage to Submarine Cables' (1986) deals with failures in submarine cable links. However, it does not deal with power transmission availability. Furthermore, it may give the impression that total embedment is recommended. The authors argue that this is much too expensive and might endanger the economic viability of a cable solution. A definition of power availability is given. The importance of spare cables is stressed. After a review of the cable protection methods, some examples of power availability in existing submarine cable links are given. The authors also state that, in order to optimize the cost of protection, new guidelines need to be developed. A CIGRE working group has been set up to accomplish this task. >