Partial Discharge

Monitoring Technology
By
Eng. Ahmed Raafat
Predictive Maintenance Engineer
Technical Support Dept.
TechnoMaster Co.
Why Predictive
Maintenance
Preventive (routine) maintenance is
(Time – based maintenance)
But
Predictive maintenance is
(Condition – based maintenance)
Most PdM inspections are
performed while
equipment is in service
 PdM utilizes
nondestructive testing
technologies
 PdM
Save your

+ +
Machine Time Money
Monitoring & Diagnostics
 What is
M&D
Monitoring & Diagnostic

A two “complementary” steps approach

 M&D
Monitoring: On-Line techniques and devices
to detect abnormal conditions

Monitoring function: is to avoid unexpected

machine failure and insure continuous normal
operation
 M&D
Diagnostic: Application of On-Line and Off-
Line devices & techniques to confirm and
determine the exact nature of the anomaly

Diagnostic function: is to minimize unwanted

downtime by making accurate condition
assessment when anomalies occur
 Monitoring vs. Diagnostics
Maintenance &
Monitoring Diagnostic
Repair

Is it No 10% Yes 2%
Electrical Is it Serious ?
Machine Normal ?
Yes No
90% 8%

Do Do
nothing something
else else

Broadband technique Focused technique Maintenance &

applied routinely applied as required Repair Shop

Cigre Report No. 227, Life Management Techniques for Power Transformers. WG A2.18
The Partial Discharge ( PD ) considered as a
Disease which affect on your equipments
(( Gen. , Motor , Transformer , GIS ,Cables ))
through the insulation causing early destruction
of your equipments before it’s expected age
What Is Partial Discharge (PD) ?

Partial Discharges (PD) are ionizations or “sparks”

occurring in voids or gaps within, or on the surface
of, insulation, without any insulation breakdown.

Origin of the term by source of activity

INTERNAL = PD vs. EXTERNAL = Corona
 HV

It’s
The Occur Where
discharge :
air (3 kV/mm) < solid
occurs in the
insulation
(~300
voidkV/mm)
itself ,
Not full
So PD creates small
Insulation breakdown
voltage pulses
 Breakdown voltage
of void

Voltage across
the void
PD Pulses
50/60 Hz phase to ground
voltage
 Steps of PD Streamer Process

HV Conductor

Insulation E

Grounded Enclosure

Streamer
Discharge
Process
 Void Turning into Treeing

HV Conductor

Insulation E

Grounded Enclosure

After a certain period depending on material parameters

and discharge conditions cumulated PD energy cracks the
surface of the void and initiates treeing PD.
 PD Close to Breakdown

HV Conductor

Insulation E

Grounded Enclosure

Treeing PD grows dynamically and reaches one of

the electrodes.
 Final Breakdown

HV Conductor

Insulation E

Grounded Enclosure

Finally treeing PD breaks up material and short circuits the

whole isolation distance, the final breakdown takes place.
 PD a Symptom or Cause of Many Failure Processes

Internal Surface

• Thermal Deterioration • Loose windings

Such as: overloads, defective cooling,
unbalanced phase voltage and poor
design
• Slot discharge

• Load cycling • Contamination

• Inadequate bonding • Inadequate spacing

 Magnetic circuit
Percentage of 5% Components
Failures in Power 29%
Transformers
On-load tap
changer Windings
11% 29%

Tank and
dielectric fluid Terminals
13% 13%

Source: Cigré WG 12.05 reliability study circa 1983

1- protrusions on conductor (fixed particle)
2- protrusions on enclosure (fixed particle)
3- floating parts (bad galvanic contact)
4- free particles on live parts and insulators
5- voids (delamination) between screens and insulation
6- voids and treeing in insulation
General sources of Partial Discharge?
 The following movie will
show us real PD pulses
occurs within the insulator

PD Movie
Why Monitor PD?
PD monitoring enables you to do the
3 “Rights” of maintenance:

the Right maintenance on

the Right machines at
the Right time
 5 Advantages to monitor PD :

1. Avoid unnecessary rewinds on older machines by

maximizing the operating hours
*Why rewind if the winding is still in good shape?
2. Extend the Lifetime of Your Winding Insulation
3. Extend up-time between outages
4. Reduce Capital Costs
5. Maximize Production Revenue
More 5 Advantages to monitor PD :

6. Simple, Safe, and Inexpensive to Test

7. Find problems on new machines which may
still be under warranty
8. Confirm Effectiveness of Repairs
9. Non-Destructive Test
10. Accomplish all this while the machine remains
in operation (On-Line)
PHYSICS OF PD DETECTION
 Partial discharge can be detected by

Light Chemical IEC 60270

Detection Detection Method

Electrical Acoustic
Detection Detection
 Light Detection

Method: high sensitivity photomultiplier near HV parts.

 most sensitive
 radiation in the UV band
 strongly absorbed by glass and SF6 - powerful laboratory
technique for basic research
 not practical for online monitoring of GIS
 Chemical By-products

Method: Chemical reagent tubes or gas analyser.

 immune to electrical interference

 for a steady discharge, diagnostic gas should rise to a
level where it can be detected
 small volume lab tests, a 10-15pC discharge can be
detected after some tens of hours
 insensitive due to large volumes of gas in GIS
 Shows total integrated equivalent PD over time (similar
to DGA)
 although still being studied - some success in smaller
GIS gas compartments
 Acoustic Emission
Method: Accelerometers or Ultrasonic microphones

 sensitive, particularly for particles on chamber floor

 features of the acoustic signal can infer the shape and
movement of a particle
 the measurements can be made external to the GIS
 commonly used during site acceptance testing, easy to
use
 accurate location by finger printing along GIS or by time
of flight using two sensors
 attenuation of signal is high, particularly on barriers so
unsuited for detection of void type defects
 often used to backup UHF technique or where UHF
cannot be applied
 not suited to permanent monitoring as too many sensors
would be required
 Acoustic Emission - Detection

Pistol for simple location More sophisticated analyser

 Conventional IEC270 Method

Method: Coupling capacitor connected to HV part

 industrial standard
 calibrated in PC
 for maximum sensitivity, requires completely shielded
test arrangement
 total capacitance of GIS is high and must be divided into
sections for tests
 no means to locate discharge
 no coupling capacitor on GIS, hence method cannot be
used for in-service measurements
 Conventional IEC270 Method

Test
transformer

Coupling
Capacitor

PD Detector
 Electromagnetic Detection

Method: Electric field sensor near HV parts

 signal is easily detected if noise can be eliminated

 for GIS the UHF band offers very high sensitivity to all
defect types and good noise rejection
 allows relative PD amplitude and pulse activity to be
measured
 signal contains information on the type of defect
producing the PD so defect classification is possible
 time of flight measurement using two sensors allows
accurate location of discharge
 high sensitivity of field sensors means that large sections
of GIS can be monitored effectively
 preferred method for site testing of EHV GIS
 CIGRE Investigation (1992)

Cigre conducted an evaluation of the various available

PD detection methods in 1992:

 conventional PD to IEC270, with either a standard detector

at 1MHz or the PRPD evaluation system at 200MHz
 UHF using an internal coupler up to 1500MHz
 external acoustic emission sensor at 34kHz

 chemical using detector tubes

 CIGRE Investigation (1992)

The study concluded:

 acoustic, conventional and UHF techniques show good

sensitivity
 acoustic methods are non-intrusive but attenuation of signal
across barriers and along chambers is high
 conventional measurements need external coupling
capacitor and cannot be used on GIS in-service

 UHF technique suitable for in-service monitoring

CIGRE Investigation (1992)

Defect - needle on live

conductor
L=10mm, r=50μm
CIGRE Investigation (1992)

Defect - needle fixed at the spacer

L=15mm, sharp edge, Ø =0.25mm
 Relative Merits:- UHF and Acoustic PD Systems
UHF-System Acoustic-System

Main purpose J detection & L detection &

K localisation J localisation
of PD sources of PD sources
Sensitivity mobile particles (1-2mm), mobile particles,
JJ fixed particles (2-5mm) K fixed particles,
floating components floating components
voids in spacers L voids in spacers

Measurement J 5-10 minutes, L L min. 30 - 90minutes

time / bay for spot easy and fast “one has to crawl on GIS”
checks

Suitability for J J Reliable sensors, L L Unreliable sensors,

on-line continuous noise immune and noise issues and
monitoring large sensor spacing needs many sensors
 Relative Merits:- UHF and Acoustic PD Systems
UHF-System Acoustic-System

Typical system K built-in sensors, J no built-in sensors

requirements J (or in some cases required !
external spacer sensors)

Noise reduction J J very effective, L not possible, additional

noise sources: wind, rain
droplets, vibrations, air corona

Data storage J easy and fast K only possible with

on PC AIA type instrument

Data analysis J easy and fast, K AIA system: possible to

during and after use of PD database some extent
measurement for analysing and
classifying data
What Makes a UHF PDM System so Effective:

• can detect all known types of PD in GIS, Transformers or rotating machines

• can record data in a way which allows the analysis of PD using expert
system PD pattern interpretation by ANN and feature extraction

• can instantly warn of active PD (no time delay)

• gives indication of the type of PD and therefore helps in determining the risk
of failure
What Makes a UHF PDM System so Effective:
• suitable for periodic and continuous, on-line monitoring in-service

• applicable to all system voltages

• only IEC approved technique for use during HV commissioning tests

(of GIS)

• Also suitable for other metal enclosed electrical plant such as, dead
tank CBs, cable end boxes and switch-panels
What Makes a UHF PDM System so Effective:

• The UHF method can reject external “air corona”

produced noise, as this occurs at lower frequencies (HF
and VHF)

• This is because the “fast” PD pulses in SF6 or Oil produce

strong signals at frequencies much higher than normal
“air corona”
 Physics of PD Attenuation
Barrier Coupler Frequency
Response
800MHz – 2GHz
PD pulse in SF6 is
attenuation
starts at 500-800MHz
10
spectral magnitude
(normalized)

0.1 PD pulse in Air

attenuation
0.01 starts 60-300Mhz

0.001
1MHz 10MHz 100MHz 1GHz 10GHz
frequency ( Hz )
Best SNR with still
sufficient sensitivity
1GHz±300MHz
Questions ?
Continuous monitoring
Periodic PD monitoring
For
Transformers
(Portable Unit)
 The Transformer
A complex system
Bushings

Tap changer
Cooling
System
Tank
Coils Oil

Control
Cabinet Core
 Transformer
AC Tests Partial
Hi-Pot Discharge

TTR C & DF
PF

DC Insulation
SFRA
Winding Oil Resistance
 PD Sensors for Transformers
Oil Drain Valve Probe Window coupler (patented)
Oil Drain Valve
Probe
 Suitable Types of Valves

Ball Valve
Globe/Stop Valve

PD in a transformer can be monitored using UHF

sensors inserted into the oil drain/filter valves
provided that they are the correct type.

Gate Valve
 Window Coupler
Window sensor (patented)

Window sensor
 Transformer with UHF Sensors

sensor fitting

PD Sensors fitted to a new build 400kV Phase Shift Transformer

Transformer UHF Sensor - Retrofit to hatch cover

PD sensor fitted to a manhole hatch cover

Transformer with Retrofit hatch cover
• Replacement hatch covers
S3 were prepared before the
installation
• Sensors fitted on top of tank
to the replacement hatch
S2 covers
• Oil was only drained to a few
cm below the hatch level
• Outage time was kept to a
minimum

S1
PD couplers retrofitted to a repaired unit transformer
UHF Sensors Termination Box
Placement of UHF Sensors on Transformers
• Sensors are to be fitted with maximum possible
spacing between them to allow better
triangulation of signal
• Standard sensors must not intrude into high
field areas – special sensors are available for
such areas
• Sensors near top of tank are more sensitive to
defects in bushing connection area
• Lower sensors can be installed using drain
valves ( this does not need oil to be drained)
• Number of sensors depends on size of
transformer (minimum of 3 needed for
location, 4 to 6 preferred depending on
complexity of internal parts, separate tap
changers etc.)
 Portable PDM System Overview

• The DMS Portable UHF Monitor detects and records the UHF
signals generated by partial discharges in a GIS

• The Portable UHF Monitor consists of a base unit and a

detachable laptop computer which are fitted into an
aluminium travelling case and require only an external mains
supply to be ready for use. The Monitor can be left connected
and unattended, where it will record and store data from up
to three couplers.
 Portable PDM System Overview
Practical Uses
• The Monitor is often used to undertake surveys in substations
to provide early warning of developing faults, enabling them
to be corrected before complete breakdown occurs.
• The Monitor can be used during the HV commissioning on
new GIS and the in-service operation of the substation.
• It is also used as the next tool for localising PD as a result of
any PD indications given by a SmartHub Gen III system.
• Following detection using the DMS Portable UHF Monitor, the
UHF technique allows a defect to be further located by time
of flight methods using a suitable oscilloscope.
 Portable PDM System
Accessories
• UHF Cable 3 x 10m for connection to couplers.
• 3 Phase 20dB Amplifier – to amplify PD signal for better
analysis
• UHF Filters – To help reduce external noise masking PD signal
• DMS Overvoltage Protectors – To protect the system from
transient overvoltages
• DMS HV Injection Unit – For checking coupler continuity /
sensitivity
 PDM System Overview
Software
PortSUB
Portable PDM System Overview
 Portable PDM System Overview
Software
• Application software used on the Portable system is called PortSub.
• Collects and displays online data for instant measurements.
• Records and Stores data for multiple substations, and locations.
• Displays single cycle, peak hold, prpd, and history data in same
format as Smartsub software.
• Data is analysed by a built in expert analysis module to give type of
PD with a statistical probability
• Data can be easily transferred to other PortSub software
installations for remote viewing
 PDM System Overview
Software
PortSUB
 PDM System Overview
Software
PortSUB Substation Properties
 PDM System Overview
Software
PortSUB System Properties
Single cycle display
Single cycle display
Peak hold display
PRPD display
History archive display
History day display
History day display
History pow display
Event archive display
Event day display
Event day display
Event record display
 Radial PDM System Data Displays
Conductor Surface

Floating Component Defective

Discharge Lamp

Real PD
Noise

Mobile Phone

Hopping Particle

RADAR
 Radial PDM Artificial Neural Network
void
busbar corona
PD chamber corona
floating component
particle
undefined

undefined/
insufficient
data
2D + 3D mobile phone
discharge
data radar noise
step 1 motor noise
noise
lights
undefined

step 2
Event window with analysis
Event Window With Analysis
Continuous PD monitoring
For
Transformers
(Fixed Unit)
PD Sensors for Transformers
Continuous monitoring
General arrangement
PDMG-R Installed on an In-Service 400kV Reactor
El-Tebbin Power Station
2*125 MVA Feb. 2010
220/66/11KV
Abo-Qir Power Station
6*650 MVA
March
15/220KV 2012
 Location of
PD
in Transformers
 Locating PD defects in transformers

• In GIS location can be made with a commercially available

high speed oscilloscope
• In transformers, the location must be 3-dimensional with
the added complexity of large internal structures
• Manual location using derived timing information is very
difficult
• A test instrument with custom software is being
developed to simplify the location procedure
 UHF PD location – Demonstration of principle

The interaction between the different planes of PD location between

each pair of sensors can be illustrated through pulse injection.

In the next few slides, the DMS pulser was used to inject a pulse into
the sensor S4 . . .
 Pulse injection into S4 as the PD source

PD source

S3
S2

S1
S4 pulse injection location results for three sensor pairs (S1-S2,
S1-S3, S2-S3)
Recent example of PD Location

Transformer Shows PD in Factory

Transformer model for PD location
Recorded UHF signals:
PD location using the DMS system:
Manufacturer’s model
In this case, the located PD was only 200 pC during
overpotential test.

The transformer passed the test.

Field Trials for Location of PD in
Power Transformers
 Case History

Traction Transformer:
18 MVA, Single Phase, 132 – 25 kV

• Heavily loaded unit with increased production of

hydrogen and acetylene

• Fitted with 3 UHF Sensorsfitted, 24 m cables

Case History
Side
view
Portable Unit with High Speed Oscilloscope
 Case History

UHF pulse energy

(0 – 100%)

50 cycles
phase
(1 second) (0 - 360)

Sensor 1
PD pattern with strong 180 degree phase symmetry
 Case History

Portable UHF PD Monitor Display

 Case History

time

Discharge history shows constant PD activity over a 24-hour period

 amplitude Case History
( 50 mV /div )

S1

S2

S3

differences in time of arrival

at known sensor positions
time ( 5 ns / division )
Set of UHF Signals from a Single PD Pulse
 Case History

HV
(132 kV)
S
2

core &
winding UHF sensors
s

tap
changer S S
1 3
LV
(25 kV)
 Case History

Third-Angle Projection
Showing the Suspect
Volume
3.25m
winding
(Mesh size = 5 cm)

core
2.35m 1.50m
 Case History

Inspection of Detanked Assembly

 Case History
120 MVA, 3-Phase Transformer, 275 – 33 kV
• Unit scheduled for replacement

• Abnormal dissolved gasses

• UHF monitor left on-site for 17 days recorded

intermittent PD activity

• Evidence of more than one PD source

• No correlation between PD activity and load

• PDs were not active at times of site visits with

equipment to locate PD
Case History
 Location

PD Location
 Case History

Damaged Joint
Discovered During
Disassembly

Broken strands on
Charring on LV lead lead to LV winding
Reference List (1992-2010)