The paper provides essentially a summary of PD measurements applying the UHF range in order to increase the detection threshold, to improve the localization accuracy and to perform on-line measurements of Partial Discharge (PD) in noisy environments. The electromagnetic UHF technique offers good signal to noise ratios, because external PD signals and disturbances can be shielded effectively. A new developed method allows the localization of PD in gas-insulated substations (GIS) by frequency domain measurements. The basic idea is the displacement law of Fourier transformation. The interference phenomena of superposed signals from two sensors give information about the time delay of the sensor signals. On-site PD measurements are made at cable connectors by means of monopole antennas housed in a barrel sleave, while the cable is in service. Thus a sensitive PD measurement even in noisy environment is possible. PD measurements on several 72 kV cable connectors were performed in an unshielded laboratory. On-site measurements during operation showed the great potential for condition assessment. For decoupling sensitive UHF PD signals from the inner of a power transformer tank UHF sensors applied through drain/oil valves are used. Experimental studies indicate that all relevant types of PD possibly occurring within a transformer emit high frequency spectra to be detected with UHF sensors. Furthermore in laboratory experiments and on-site measurements very moderate UHF signal attenuations have been observed.

Partial discharge measurement in the ultra high frequency (UHF) range

To ensure the power system operates safely and reliably, it is essential to monitor and evaluate the health condition of power equipment on-line or off-line. This study reviews the research status in condition monitoring and diagnosis of power equipment, including transformer, gas insulated switchgear, cable, external insulation, generator, and power capacitor in recent years. Although much progress has been made in technologies of condition monitoring and fault diagnosis such as test accuracy, fast and accurate fault localisation and recognition of fault types, there are still many deficiencies which needs further research work, including the reliability of signal collection from sensors, the accuracy of data treatment and analysis, anti-interference performance of test equipment, appropriate models used for condition evaluation. The prospective of condition monitoring and diagnosis technologies of power equipment are also presented in this study. It is proposed that the application of big data, internet of things and cloud computing should be expected and given special attention in the near future.

Condition monitoring and diagnosis of power equipment: review and prospective

With the increasing age of the primary equipment of the electrical grids there exists also an increasing need to know its internal condition. For this purpose, off- and online diagnostic methods and systems for power transformers have been developed in recent years. Online monitoring is used continuously during operation and offers possibilities to record the relevant stresses which can affect the lifetime. The evaluation of these data offers the possibility of detecting oncoming faults early. In comparison to this, offline methods require disconnecting the transformer from the electrical grid and are used during planned inspections or when the transformer is already failure suspicious. This contribution presents the status and current trends of different diagnostic techniques of power transformers. It provides significant tutorial elements, backed up by case studies, results and some analysis. The broadness and improvements of the presented diagnostic techniques show that the power transformer is not anymore a black box that does not allow a view into its internal condition. Reliable and accurate condition assessment is possible leading to more efficient maintenance strategies.

Diagnostic Measurements for Power Transformers

Partial discharge (PD) measurement is an established condition monitoring technique used to facilitate the detection of incipient faults in high voltage electrical insulation systems such as gas-insulated switchgear and power transformers. By simultaneously recording partial discharge using both the IEC60270 'apparent charge' measurement technique and the more recent Radio Frequency method, which measures the energy radiated from the discharge, it is thought that more information can be gained about the nature of the PD source. Combined measurement has been carried out on various common PD source topologies recreated under laboratory conditions using PD test cells in a range of insulating media including SF6, oil and epoxy resin. Test cell geometries include floating electrodes, free particles and protrusions. By plotting apparent charge against the energy of the RF signal for a large number of PD pulses, the relationship between the two techniques can be quantified for a given test configuration. It has been found that the correlation between the two techniques produces characteristic patterns specific to each defect type. It is envisioned that combined RF/IEC measurements will contribute to a more widespread acceptance of the RF technique in terms of its ability to quantify PD severity by relating the RF energy to the more widely accepted IEC60270 pC level.

Simultaneous measurement of partial discharges using IEC60270 and radio-frequency techniques

Partial discharge (PD) detection in the ultra-high frequency (UHF) range is state of the art. One of the most critical points in this detection method is adopting proper and suitable antenna design. In this paper, a new design of UHF antennas is introduced which is suitable to be used on the transformers in the HV laboratories of the manufacturers. To ensure the applicability of the new antenna, experimental UHF PD measurements are carried out on a transformer tank model as well as on the real power transformers. Installing several UHF antennas on the transformer tank to perform defect localization is also an important issue. There are rigorous limitations and lack of the places to install the antennas. This problem is almost solved by using the mentioned new antenna design. The proper positioning of the antennas is the other critical point in the UHF method. Placing the antennas in improper positions will damage the localization accuracy. In this paper, an automatic algorithm is introduced to determine the best installation positions for the antennas to enhance the localization accuracy. The efficacy of this algorithm is investigated by using the results of experimental measurements on power transformers.

Advancing new techniques for UHF PDdetection and localization in the power transformers in the factory tests

The reliability of electrical energy networks depends on both, the quality and reliability of its electrical equipment, e.g. power transformers. Local failures inside their insulation may lead to breakdowns and hence to high outage and penalty costs. Power transformers can be tested on partial discharge (PD) activity before commissioning and monitored during service in order to prevent these events. In the first part, this contribution presents different types of ultra-high frequency (UHF) sensors for PD measurement. Various applications of UHF sensors and proper sensor installation are discussed. The second part of the contribution is about the necessity of UHF measurement comparability and reproducibility. Therefore, a new calibration procedure for the UHF method is proposed and discussed in respect of the procedure for the IEC 60270 compliant conventional electric method. The characterization of UHF sensors is a key precondition for the UHF calibration process in order to obtain calibration for the full measurement path. Sensor characteristics are described by the antenna factor (AF) which is determined under inside transformer conditions in an oil-filled Gigahertz Transversal Electromagnetic cell (GTEM cell). In addition to the calibration procedure, the performance of the installed sensor has to be determined. The evaluation is based on the concept of transmitting electromagnetic waves through the transformer tank from one UHF sensor to another. This performance check procedure is used in this contribution for the examination of the influence of the sensor's insertion depth into the tank. These results are compared to the reference GTEM cell measurement used for calibration.

Application of UHF sensors for PD measurement at power transformers

The reliability of electrical energy networks depends on the quality and availability of electrical equipment like power transformers. Local failures inside their insulation may lead to catastrophic breakdowns and might cause high outage and penalty costs. To prevent these destructive events power transformers are e.g. tested for partial discharge (PD) activity before commissioning and currently also during service. The current work deals with the electromagnetic PD detection method, also known as UHF method. The disadvantage of the UHF method is still the missing possibility for a calibration or at least a verification of the sensitivity. The so-called Sensitivity Check might show in future a relation between unconventionally measured UHF quantities to the apparent charge level in pico Coulomb. An important aspect is the attenuation of UHF signals within power transformers which is investigated in this paper.

Sensitivity of UHF PD measurements in power transformers

The continuous, non-intermitted service of electrical grids relies on the reliability of their assets, e.g., power transformers. Local insulation defects can result in serve failures such as breakdowns with severe subsequent costs. The prevention of such events is crucial. Hence, partial discharge (PD) activity at power transformers is evaluated directly in the factory before shipment. Additionally, PD activity can be monitored during service using the ultra-high frequency (UHF) method. In this contribution, a calibration procedure is proposed for the UHF method. The calibration process is required to ensure both, reproducibility and comparability of UHF measurements: Only a calibrated UHF measurement procedure can be introduced supplementary to IEC 60270 in acceptance tests of power transformers. The proposed calibration method considers two factors: The influence of the UHF-antenna’s sensitivity and the PD recorder characteristics including accessories such as cable damping, pre-amplifier, etc. The former is addressed by a characterization of UHF sensors using the standard antenna factor (AF) in a gigahertz transverse electromagnetic (GTEM) cell. The PD recorder’s influence is corrected by using a defined, invariable test signal as reference for all recording devices. A practical evaluation of the proposed calibration procedure is performed in a laboratory setup using different UHF recording devices and UHF sensors using artificial PD signals and real voltage-driven PD sources.

Calibration Proposal for UHF Partial Discharge Measurements at Power Transformers

The paper presents the experience using a combination of different partial discharge (PD) measurement methods both to detect PD in power transformers and to improve interpretation and localisation of their sources.

S. Coenen

Papers

Diagnostic Measurements for Power Transformers

Application of UHF sensors for PD measurement at power transformers

Sensitivity of UHF PD measurements in power transformers

Calibration Proposal for UHF Partial Discharge Measurements at Power Transformers

On-site experiences with multi-terminal IEC PD measurements, UHF PD measurements and acoustic PD localisation