Condition monitoring of an operating apparatus is essential for lifespan assessment and maintenance planning in a power system. Electrical insulation is a critical aspect to be monitored, since it is susceptible to failure under high electrical stress. To avoid unexpected breakdowns, the level of partial discharge (PD) activity should be continuously monitored because PD occurrence can accelerate the aging process of insulation in high voltage equipment and result in catastrophic failure if the associated defects are not treated at an early stage. For on-site PD detection, the ultra-high frequency (UHF) method was employed in the field and showed its effectiveness as a detection technique. The main advantage of the UHF method is its immunity to external electromagnetic interference with a high signal-to-noise ratio, which is necessary for on-site monitoring. Considering the detection process, sensors play a critical role in capturing signals from PD sources and transmitting them onto the measurement system. In this paper, UHF sensors applied in PD detection were comprehensively reviewed. In particular, for power transformers, the effects of the physical structure on UHF signals and practical applications of UHF sensors including PD localization techniques were discussed. The aim of this review was to present state-of-the-art UHF sensors in PD detection and facilitate future improvements in the UHF method.

Application of UHF Sensors in Power System Equipment for Partial Discharge Detection: A Review

Among the different solutions which allow onsite partial discharge measurement in energized power transformers, the UHF technique is gaining general interest. In order to apply this method in existing transformers, it is considered advantageous to design a UHF sensor to be fitted inside the transformer tank. This paper describes the constraints affecting the development of such sensor and the process followed to optimize its design. During this process, different solutions for broadband UHF antennas were analysed. The selection was based on computer simulation and experimental results. Computer simulation was used to evaluate differences in radiation pattern, antenna impedance, gain and effective area. Measurements of the antenna response to different partial discharge sources in oil were performed using an oil dielectric breakdown test set in an electromagnetic shielded laboratory. A group of selected antennas were then tested in a power transformer simulating the broadband signals generated by partial discharges by injecting controlled voltage pulses in the transformer. Finally, a sensor based on a conical monopole antenna structure was built and attached to a specially designed housing to be fitted inside the transformer tank through the drain valve. This final prototype was benchmarked during a high voltage factory test of a power transformer which showed a significant partial discharge activity.

Optimisation of a sensor for onsite detection of partial discharges in power transformers by the UHF method

Partial discharge (PD) is the main sign of the insulation deterioration; therefore, the online PD localization of the power transformers can provide the equipment degradation characteristics and has great value for the power grid. Because of some unique merits, acoustic PD detection is one of the best options for such applications. However, when discharges happen inside the windings, precise PD localization by acoustic method becomes very challenging. As the acoustic PD signal can be reverberated and distorted along its propagation, the type and number of sensors, with their installation, should be carefully studied and selected. In this paper, the acoustic wave propagation inside the transformer is explored via numerical simulation. Based on the understanding of wave propagation, a novel-structure fiber-optic acoustic sensor array is properly designed and installed into one phase winding, which is from a real 35 kV transformer. Experimental verification shows that, by using this proposed design, PD localization with less than 5-cm error can be achieved. Therefore, the novel sensor array developed in this paper, together with the installation and localization method, unveils a novel access to accurate online PD localization, especially for those PDs which happen inside transformer windings.

Partial Discharge Localization Inside Transformer Windings via Fiber-Optic Acoustic Sensor Array

The high voltage power transformer is the critical element of the power system, which requires continuous monitoring to prevent sudden catastrophic failures and to ensure an uninterrupted power supply. The most common failures in the transformer are due to partial discharge (PD) in electrical insulations which are the results of the insulation degradation over time. Different approaches have been proposed to monitor, detect, and locate the partial discharge in power transformers. This paper reviews and evaluates the current state-of-the-art methods for PD detection and localization techniques, and methodologies in power transformers. Detailed comparisons of PD detection techniques have been identified and discussed in this paper. The drawbacks and challenges of different partial discharge measurement techniques have been elaborated. Finally, brief reviews of PD denoising signals, feature extraction of PD signals, and classification of partial discharge sources have been addressed.

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Overview and Partial Discharge Analysis of Power Transformers: A Literature Review

Insulation degradation is one of the prime reasons for failures in power transformers. Partial discharge (PD) is considered as one of the primary causes of initiation of insulation degradation. Thus, monitoring of PD in a power transformer at a preliminary stage is the most important task to prevent any catastrophic failure. This paper presents a brief introduction of PD phenomena along with the causes and effects. Various topics of contemporary research related to PD, such as modelling, detection, measurement, and classification, are grouped under different headings with exhaustive up-to-date bibliography. The paper outlines distinctive sensors and technologies based on acoustic, ultra-high-frequency, electric, and hybrid methods. The techniques are compared, and their advantages and limitations are pointed out. The techniques of denoising of PD signal based on signal processing, artificial intelligence, and statistical analysis are summarised. The challenges and trends in future PD research are ...

Detection, Measurement, and Classification of Partial Discharge in a Power Transformer: Methods, Trends, and Future Research

This paper presents a comprehensive review of various techniques of partial discharge (PD) localization. The technologies reviewed are acoustic, ultra-high frequency (UHF), optical, and electrical according to their chronological order of development. The paper outlines the distinctive acoustic and UHF sensors, along with the algorithm for the localization of PD source. Various digital signal processing and statistical techniques applied are likewise discussed. A substantial effort has been given to electrical methods since they represent the most active and current field of PD research. In this paper, the techniques of PD localization used so far are compared, and their advantages and limitations are pointed out. The challenges and trends in future research in PD localizations are also discussed. The review given in this paper will be useful to develop the future technologies for PD localization thereby avoiding insulation damage. Thus, this paper is intended to serve as a guide for the research ...

Partial Discharge Localization in a Power Transformer: Methods, Trends, and Future Research

Precise localization of partial discharge (PD) inside a power transformer winding is a challenging task. Previously, researchers have used internal calibration or reference signals to locate the PD source. The location of any arbitrary (test) PD source is ascertained from the maximum correlation between reference and test signals. However, in practical transformer windings, internal tappings or design details are usually unavailable to generate reference signals. The proposed work employs terminal measurements to construct a physically realizable ladder network. Simulated responses obtained from the ladder network for signals of known pulse-widths at all locations are used as reference data. The terminal responses of the test PD signals are obtained from a laboratory-scale winding by applying signals of arbitrary pulse-widths and shapes at various locations. The PD test signals are generated using a function generator, a PD calibrator, and real discharges. To predict the location of the PD source, the simulated reference data are then correlated with the test data. The position corresponding to the maximum correlation indicates the PD location. The proposed methodology is verified using experimental investigations carried out on two different laboratory-scale transformer windings.

Localization of Partial Discharges Inside a Transformer Winding Using a Ladder Network Constructed From Terminal Measurements

Precise localization of a Partial Discharge (PD) source inside a winding is one of the important tasks for early detection and prevention of catastrophic failure of a transformer. However, due to the highly complex structures of the windings and statistical nature of PD, the exact location of a PD source is quite difficult to discover. In this paper, a technique based on an Archimedean copula is proposed to find the location of a PD source in a transformer winding. The winding responses to the PD signals of known pulse-widths applied at all the sections are taken as reference data. Further, the winding responses, obtained from the PD pulses of random shapes and magnitudes applied across various sections of the winding, are taken as test data. To predict the location of the test signals, the best-fit copula and its parameters are established using the reference and test data. The maximum value of log-likelihood between the reference data and the test signal indicates the location of the PD source. Firstly, simulation case-studies are conducted to demonstrate how the proposed approach can be implemented to locate the PD source. The results of the proposed method are then compared with the time-domain and frequency-domain based correlation techniques. Finally, the proposed method is tested with experimental data acquired from a laboratory scale model of the transformer winding. The simulation and experimental results demonstrate that the proposed approach is capable of achieving an accurate prediction of the location of the PD source.

A technique based on an archimedean copula for the localization of partial discharge in a transformer winding

This paper presents the control of elevator system using Siemens LOGO PLC. The system is programmed to drive a dc motor for forward and backward motoring mode with sensors at each floor, emergency STOP switch for maintenance purpose or to prevent any accident inside the lift & door switch for safety purpose. The system is also programmed to conserve energy by automatically switch off lights and fans of cabin when motor is in rest state for a specified duration of time. The software used in this elevator system is LOGO! Soft Comfort V7.0. This system can be used for learning the control strategies involved in elevator systems for educational purpose.

Mithun Mondal

Papers

Detection, Measurement, and Classification of Partial Discharge in a Power Transformer: Methods, Trends, and Future Research

Partial Discharge Localization in a Power Transformer: Methods, Trends, and Future Research

Localization of Partial Discharges Inside a Transformer Winding Using a Ladder Network Constructed From Terminal Measurements

A technique based on an archimedean copula for the localization of partial discharge in a transformer winding

PLC controlled elevator system