Implemented diagnostic philosophies
Creation of diagnostic evaluation matrix – diagnostic philosophies with condition categorization for medium-voltage cables for grid operators
Publications by Tobias Neier
- Cable fault location handbook, BAUR Manual Cable Fault Location
- Diagnostic handbook, BAUR Manual Cable diagnostic
Professional Background
Since 2002, I have gained extensive experience in cable diagnostics, cable fault location and asset management for medium- and low-voltage networks. My career began at BAUR GmbH in Austria, where I delivered global training programs for technicians, utilities and distribution companies. This early experience provided a deep technical foundation in cable testing, diagnostics and fault location.
Over more than 20 years, I have supported power utilities worldwide through consulting projects, strategic development and practical demonstrations. My work includes analyzing underground cable networks, interpreting diagnostic results and translating findings into effective asset management strategies.
I have also collaborated closely with equipment manufacturers, utilities and network operators to refine diagnostic methods, evaluate degradation mechanisms and implement predictive maintenance approaches. These partnerships have helped utilities increase reliability, reduce outages and optimize infrastructure investments.
my passion
20+ Years Experince
Key Experience Highlights
- Global consulting for power utilities on cable diagnostics, fault location and asset management
- Development of diagnostic strategies for KEPCO Korea, Hong Kong Electric, KNG, Austrian Railways and others
- Technical training for network operators, field engineers and asset managers
- On-site demonstrations in cable testing, insulation diagnostics and fault location
- Diagnostic implementations for major utilities, railways and industrial customers
- Speaker at international symposia and expert forums
- Developer of maintenance concepts and evaluation logic for cable condition assessment
- Head of Diagnostic Competence Center in former company
Additional Contributions
- Customer training courses across Europe and Asia
- Direct support for distribution system operators and municipal utilities
- Creation of evaluation logic for “Statex®” with KEPCO Korea
- Cable fault location training on long submarine cables (over 500 km)
- Participation in the 2023 OVE Symposium, Klagenfurt
- Concept development for condition-based maintenance strategies
Publications
- Cable Fault Location Handbook, BAUR — Manual for Cable Fault Location
- Diagnostic Handbook, BAUR — Manual for Cable Diagnostics
- Cable Tech 2010 India, Bangalore "Advanced Cable Fault Location Technology in LV, MV and HV Underground Cable Networks"
- CMD 2012, paper #A 209, Indonesia, Bali "Identification of Joints affected by Water Ingress in Complex Hybrid MV Cable networks"
- CMD 2014, Korea, Jeju "Combined Application of Diagnostics Tools for MV Underground Cables"
- CMD 2014, Korea, Jeju "The Way of Economical Management for the Underground Distribution System based on Diagnosis in KEPCO"
- Jicable 2015 France, Versailles, C4.4 "Combined Application of Diagnostic Tools for MV Underground Cables"
- CIRED 2016 China, Xi'an "Technics of Locating Underground Cable Faults inside Conduits"
- INMR world congress 2022 Germany, Berlin "Increasing confidence in Medium Voltage Cable Diagnostics"
- Jicable International Conference 2023 France, Lyon "New approach for online detection of partial discharges in cable systems via voltage detection ports (VDS)"
- OVE e&I Magazine 07-2023, Energy Conference Klagenfurt, Austria "Experiences with medium voltage cable diagnostics - evaluation logics and strategic approach"
- VDE Cired 11-2023, Germany, Munich "Condition assessment of medium-voltage cable systems - successfully implementing empirical knowledge in strategic processes"
- Development of the diagnostic strategy at KEPCO Korea, Hong Kong Electric, Singapore Power Grid; development of the diagnostic evaluation logic "Statex® " with KEPCO Korea
- Practical demonstrations for customers in the field of cable fault location, insulation testing, cable testing and diagnostics
- Countless customer training courses
- Direct sales in Austria, customer consulting, training, diagnostic services
- Diagnostics implementation at KNG Kärnten, ÖBB Infra (Austrian Railways), Linz AG, EW Frastanz, private customers and municipal utilities
- Diagnostic forums for asset managers of DSO’s (Distribution System Operators / Power Utilities) in Austria
- Direct contact with all DSO’s and municipal utilities
- Contribution to the OVE symposium 2023 in Klagenfurt
- Head of Diagnostic Competence Center in former company, „From device to solution” ... Definition of evaluation logics for cable diagnostic evaluation and categorization as well as estimation of the remaining service life time of cable routes in order to derive actions from measurement results.
- Creation of concepts for the implementation of condition-based maintenance strategies for energy suppliers
- 2025_05 Economic mission of the WKO (Austrian Chamber of Commerce) with Federal President A. Van der Bellen to Mongolia
- Sales and training in the application of cable fault location on long submarine cables (>500km length)
- Cable Tech 2010 India, Bangalore "Advanced Cable Fault Location Technology in LV, MV and HV Underground Cable Networks"
- CMD 2012, paper #A 209, Indonesia, Bali "Identification of Joints affected by Water Ingress in Complex Hybrid MV Cable networks"
- CMD 2014, Korea, Jeju "Combined Application of Diagnostics Tools for MV Underground Cables"
- CMD 2014, Korea, Jeju "The Way of Economical Management for the Underground Distribution System based on Diagnosis in KEPCO"
- Jicable 2015 France, Versailles, C4.4 "Combined Application of Diagnostic Tools for MV Underground Cables"
- CIRED 2016 China, Xi'an "Technics of Locating Underground Cable Faults inside Conduits"
- INMR world congress 2022 Germany, Berlin "Increasing confidence in Medium Voltage Cable Diagnostics"
- Jicable International Conference 2023 France, Lyon "New approach for online detection of partial discharges in cable systems via voltage detection ports (VDS)"
- OVE e&I Magazine 07-2023, Energy Conference Klagenfurt, Austria "Experiences with medium voltage cable diagnostics - evaluation logics and strategic approach"
- VDE Cired 11-2023, Germany, Munich "Condition assessment of medium-voltage cable systems - successfully implementing empirical knowledge in strategic processes"