Partial discharges in HV machines; initial
considerations for a PD specification
J.W. Wood
H.G. Sedding
W.K. Hogg
I.J. Kemp
H. Zhu
Indexing terms: Electric discharges, Generators, Motors
Abstract: Partial discharge (PD) specifications
exist for all types of electrical equipment except
motors and generators. Whereas specifications
essentially require that the equipment is discharge-
free the stator conductor bar insulation of the
motors and generators under consideration is
micaceous and has excellent PD resistance. Conse-
quently, the intention in a specification would be
to permit a certain level of PD. It is therefore par-
ticularly important that the problem of over-
coming the attenuation between the PD site and
the measurement equipment at the winding ter-
minals be solved. Within the general context of
examining the feasibility of a PD specification, the
problem of PD signal attenuation is addressed.
The approach adopted was to seek a region of low
attenuation by examining the whole of the pos-
sible range of PD measurement frequencies. The
investigations described consist of experiments on
a full-size 500 MW endwinding model and on two
large high-voltage motor windings. Careful screen-
ing to reduce radiative pick-up from the cali-
bration generator simulating a PD source and a
direct earthing scheme enabled the essential ele-
ments of PD pulse transfer through a winding to
be determined. The frequencies investigated
ranged from kHz to GHz. Pulse transmission and
frequency spectrum measurements were made. It
is concluded that the PD pulse transmits essen-
tially as a travelling wave, the high-frequency
components being highly attenuated. No signifi-
cant crosscoupling was apparent through the end-
winding region. The windings acted as a low-pass
filter, the cut-off frequency being dependent on the
winding length, and being below 1 MHz. Conse-
quently, it is concluded that it should be possible
to measure PD, using equipment with a passband
below the low-frequency cut-off, with low atten-
tuation.
0IEE, 1993
Paper 9651A (S2), first received 9th February and in revised form 11th
May 1993
J.W. Wood is with the Generator Design Department, Parsons Turbine
Generators Ltd., Heaton Works, Newcastle on Tyne, NE6 2YL, UK
H.G. Sedding is with the Ontario Hydro Research Division, 800
Kipling Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M8Z 5S4
W.K. Hogg is at 32A Offington Lane, Worthing, Sussex, UK
I.J. Kemp and H. Zhu are with the School of Engineering, Glasgow
Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow, G4 OBA, UK
IEE PROCEEDINGS-A, Vol. 140, NO.5 , SEPTEMBER 1993
1 Introduction
Partial discharge (PD) acceptance tests are now applic-
able to most HV power equipments. For example:
gas insulated switchgear (GIS) [l] < 2-5 pC
bushings [a] < 1opc
< 5 pC at 1.5 U N
cables [3]
< 300 pC at 1.3 U N
transformers [4]
< 500 pC at 1.6 UN
where U, = nominal voltage. Some years ago at the sug-
gestion of a user, Ontario Hydro, collaborative work
began with Parsons Turbine Generators, a manufacturer,
to investigate the possibility of developing a PD test spe-
cification to apply to HV generator and motor stators,
which is the last area of power equipment to require spe-
cifications to be defined.
The probability of a ‘true’ insulation failure initiating
from a PD within a high-voltage machine is small.
However, machine users would welcome the introduction
of an acceptance test for economic reasons [SI. When an
outage is required in service, the costs can easily exceed
E100OOO per day for a base-load nuclear unit. Added to
this are maintenance and perhaps extensive refur-
bishment costs. Consequently, there is a strong desire to
reduce maintenance costs by ensuring that the machine
has been correctly manufactured and serviced. An over-
voltage test does not necessarily guarantee this. An arbi-
trary PD specification would not be acceptable to a
supplier. However, suppliers recognise that failures affect
their reputation and this is of prime concern. An accept-
ance test might additionally enable important design
improvements to be achieved, e.g. operation at higher
electrical stresses.
The setting of a PD specification for stators is a
complex undertaking and involves theoretical and experi-
mental studies. At the start of the project there were
several problems to be solved before this could be
attempted; some of these exist now in the instances above
where PD acceptance tests have been established. In
This contribution has been assembled from experi-
mental work at Ontario Hydro, Parsons Turbine
Generators and Glasgow Caledonian University,
and from discussions with B.K. Gupta and G.L.
Ford at Ontario Hydro and G.C. Stone at Iris
Power Engineering. Some components of the cali-
bration work were supported by the Electric
Power Research Institute under RP2577-1.
409
general, the problems can be categorised as
(a) types of PD
(b) calibration
(c) stator winding attenuation and resonance effects.
1.1 Types of partial discharge
In any particular piece of power equipment different
types of discharge can occur, depending on the insulat-
ing materials used and the construction of the equipment.
Discharges that influence the working life of the insula-
tion of the equipment are of concern. The effect on the
insulation of a discharge of a given magnitude will differ
for different insulations. For example, various types of
discharge that could occur in oil/paper transformer insu-
lation have been identified and studied [6]. Not all of
these are damaging to the same degree. Also the sensi-
tivity of discharge detection techniques for GIS has been
questioned [11 because experience in service has indi-
-=
cated discharges of 1 pC may be causing failures. Mica-
ceous insulation of the type used for high-voltage
generators and motors [7, 81 has a high discharge resist-
ance [9, lo]. Discharges in the bulk insulation of magni-
tudes of several thousands of picocoulombs can be
tolerated for the entire design life of the insulation, 25
years.
More than just the occurrence of discharge can be
inferred from discharge measurements. The number of
discharges per cycle, their amplitude and polarity with
respect to phase position in an applied voltage cycle and
their variation with time can provide information from
which the nature, form, extent and sometimes location of
degradation can be inferred [l 11.
Partial discharge tests are not definitive because not
enough is known about the various types of PD which
exist and their long-term effect on insulation. Despite the
wisespread use of PD measurements, there are as yet no
definitive studies available which demonstrate direct
correlation between PD characteristics and breakdown
voltage or remanent life. PD tests are therefore QC tests
based partly on research and partly on service experience.
The basis of a specification has been essentially that the
equipment should be discharge free at working voltage,
and the levels set are governed by practically achievable
sensitivities. This is under reconsideration in the case of
GIS [l] and it would not be a suitable basis for setting a
level for generators and motors.
We feel that there is sufficient knowledge of the types
of PD that can occur in generators and motors and their
effect for this not to inhibit and setting of a provisional
PD specification, given the situation for other equipment
where specifications exist. Moreover, other matters need
to be investigated before the feasibility of setting a specifi-
cation could be assessed.
1.2 Calibration
Calibration is an essential part of any PD test. The
recommended method of calibration [12, 131 involves
injection at the terminals of the test object. Certain con-
ditions, e.g. of calibration generator output pulse rise
time, have to be fulfilled for the method to be valid.
Stator windings of generators and motors must be con-
sidered as distributed parameter networks rather than
lumped parameter ones. The Standards documents do
not differentiate between these. However, discharge
signals from within the stator winding propagate to the
measurement terminals and experience attenuation, res-
onance and other effects. These effects are discussed in
further detail subsequently. In this instance, a calibration
410
circuit has been used to inject pulses into various posi-
tions in a winding to calibrate it for discharge at various
positions. The calibration aspects raised were an import-
ant part of the considerations that laid the basis for the
work undertaken, see Section 1.4.
The basis of a calibration technique is a model for a
discharge in a test object. Although the three-capacitor
model of Fig. 1 has been accepted for many investigators
lectrodes
solid insulation
in series with void,C2
void, C,
solid imulaton
in parallel with void,C3
a
b
Fig. 1 Three-capacitor model for discharge
a Idealised cavity in solid insulation
b Equivalent circuit
and is still a reasonable approximation for many practi-
cal measurements, the accuracy of representation has
recently been question [l, 141. This aspect is common to
all PD measurements and is regarded as outside the
scope of the paper.
1.3 Attenuation effects
With a capacitive, i.e. lumped parameter, test object the
measured discharge signal amplitude is affected by the
capacitances of the test object and coupling or blocking
capacitor used for a given detector impedance. Cali-
bration by the IEC method enables the correct discharge
magnitude to be determined and only sensitivity is
affected. A similar effect occurs with a test object that is a
distributed network. However, in this instance the effec-
tive capacitance will depend on measurement frequency
and bandwidth. This is one form of discharge signal
attenuation that can occur.
Of much greater difficulty to overcome is the fact that
a discharge signal coupled into a winding from a dis-
charge site will undergo attenuation and reflection on its
passage to the measurement terminals. Kemp et al. [151
reported no consistency in measurements on motor coils,
parallels and complete phases using different bandwidth
discharge detectors, nor indeed with a given bandwidth
detector when the discharge source or pulse injection
point was varied with respect to the measurement point.
A frequency response analysis of the windings indicated a
spectrum consisting of peaks and throughs whose charac-
teristic depended on the propagation distance. This con-
trasted with the response for the calibration impulse
which was, as would be expected, essentially flat across
the frequency spectrum. It was clear that detector band-
width, centre frequency, and the nature and length of the
pulse propagation path through the winding would
greatly affect accuracy of measurements.
IEE PROCEEDINGS-A, Vol. 140, N O . 5 , S E P T E M B E R 1993
1.4 PD specification considerations
One of the most important factors is that of attenuation
of discharge signal through the stator winding and how
to calibrate the measurement circuit in this instance. This
was therefore the problem to investigate first. Whereas
the means of solving this problem has been seen as
requiring a winding calibration and some technique of
locating a discharge site to enable the true discharge
magnitude to be estimated, the authors adopted an alter-
native approach. This was to examine the frequency spec-
trum over an extremely wide range, from kHz to GHz to
determine whether there is, in general, a frequency band
where attenuation and resonance effects are relatively
small. Whereas an empirical approach might have suf-
ficed, it was regarded as essential that experiments be
undertaken to clarify methods of propagation of dis-
charge signal through a winding. Hopefully, a model
could be developed which could be used to predict
behaviour or at least support generalisation of the results.
Significant progress has been made in understanding
the modes of propagation of a PD signal and towards
identifying a suitable frequency range for measurement.
The research which led to this is described. Three main
areas for consideration to lead to a discharge specifi-
cation were identified :
(i) measuring frequency range, discharge signal transfer
mechanisms and associated requirements for calibration
(ii) test details
(iii) acceptance levels.
The position taken was that unless (i) could be satisfact-
orily resolved, it was not worthwhile proceeding to a
detailed study of (ii) and (iii). This paper is confined to
reporting the results of the study into (i), although aspects
(ii) and (iii) are considered briefly in the general dis-
cussion. Before describing the experiments undertaken, a
summary of previous investigations is given.
2 Background to discharge signal propagation
studies
Among the machine factors which may be considered to
affect measured discharge signal at a terminal are
(a) stator winding geometry
(b) multiturn coil and Roebel bar constructions
(c) effect of materials of stator construction
(d) coupling impedances
(e)cross coupling of PD pulses
(f) effect of transition of the bar/coil from slot to free
space.
It is impractical to undertake a controlled series of
experiments in the laboratory in which these parameters
are varied to determine the effect of each. Machines of
different types contain such variations and since the ulti-
mate objective is to understand the behaviour of a
variety of machines it was pertinent to both review pre-
vious such work and undertake the experiments on such
machines.
Regarding theoretical (combined with empirical
validation) approaches, Makin [16] examined the
theoretical response of a simple distributed network to a
step pulse. Although this was related to impulse tests on
transformers the analysis has relevance to a stator
winding. Makin concluded that frequencies below a
certain critical frequency were transmitted as a travelling
wave. Above the critical frequency the signal is distrib-
uted capacitively. McLaren et al. [17] have studied the
distribution of surge voltages in the first coil of a form
IEE PROCEEDINGS-A, Vol. 140, N O . 5, SEPTEMBER 1993
wound motor winding for insulation design purposes.
They point out that in general a winding must be con-
sidered as a multiconductor network. Shorted-turn detec-
tion techiques for generator rotors have been described
by Wood [18]. The recurrent surge oscillograph tech-
nique makes use of the travelling wave set up by applying
a step pulse to the winding. A simple analysis of wave-
forms based on reflections at shorted turns usually suf-
fices but more detailed studies of pulse propagation [19]
showed that a multiconductor approach was necessary to
understand the waveforms observed.
In a practical investigation of discharge detection tech-
niques for stator windings, Wilson et al. [20] investigated
pulse propagation in a 6.6 kV motor stator (rotor
removed). They reported the presence of two forms of
pulse components at the measurement terminals follow-
ing injection of fast risetime, discharge simulating pulses.
These two forms consisted of a fast pulse component fol-
lowed some time later by a slower pulse component with
its arrival time increasing with distance between the
injection point and the measurement terminals. Measure-
ments of a similar type made on a 500MW generator
stator produced essentially similar results. It was con-
cluded that the fast pulse coupled through the endwind-
ings and the slow pulse propagated in series mode
through the windings. In addition to these investigations,
which were carried out using a wideband detector (0-
17 MHz), they also investigated the effect of different
bandwidths on detection. Using four different detector
bandwidths, they reported that wideband detection
(20 kHz-3 MHz) could produce a 27 dB attenuation in
the detected signal from different injection site locations
with the same injection pulse. Also, they reported a 24 dB
attenuation in the detected signal from the same injection
location using the different bandwidth detectors. It is
clear from their results that the propagation of the dis-
charge pulse to the measurement terminals can change its
characteristics quite radically. This, in turn, can lead to
erroneous measurements of discharge pulse amplitude
dependent on the extent of pulse modification in propa-
gation, which is principally a function of distance
between the discharge source and the position of the
detector and the effect of detector bandwidth/centre fre-
quency.
Geary et al. [21] investigated the effect of pulse
injection/detection distances on the obtained response for
a 6.6 kV stator (rotor removed). They reported the results
to two types of experiment. In the first, discharge simulat-
ing pulses were injected at one phase terminal of the
winding and the pulse response at intercoil links increas-
ingly distant from the injection point were noted. In the
second, discharge simulating pulses were injected at dif-
ferent locations and detected at the phase terminal. They
too reported the presence of fast and slow pulse com-
ponents. The fast ‘radiative’ pulse was noted to arrive at
the measurement terminals at a time independent of
injection location, whereas the slow component arrived
at times dependent on distances propagated and consist-
ent with a fixed propagation velocity through the
winding. They also showed the relationship between the
relative magnitudes of the fast and slow components and
the rise/falltime of the injected pulse. As the pulse rise-
time was increased, the fast component decreased in mag-
nitude relative to the slow component and, indeed,
eventually disappeared when the risetime was > 100 ns.
This work has been extended by Zhu and Kemp [22].
Sedding et al. [23] have observed actual and simulated
discharge pulse propagation by a travelling-wave
41 1
mechanism using a wideband technique extending into Table 1 : Cable characteristics i
the GHz frequency range. This is the basis for a new Length 100 m
method of monitoring PD in service in a stator winding, Impedance 75 n
the stator slot coupler. Thus there is evidence of pulses Capacitance 67 pF/m
Attenuation 0.61 dB at 100 MHz
with very high frequency components propagating as 1.13 dB at 300 MHz
per
travelling waves within a winding. 10 m 1.70 dB at 700 MHz
Makin [16] also considered magnetic effects and 23.1 dB at 1000 MHz
deduced there were no flux-linking turns, other than
through air, above a frequency of approximately 50 kHz that the discharge source impedance did not affect wave-
because of the skin effect in the iron core. Tavener et al. shape.
[24] investigated magnetic coupling of discharge signals
and considered there could be significant coupling due to 3.2 Experiments on 500 M W stator model
this mechanism up to 20 MHz, depending on the PD The purpose of these tests was to investigate the mechan-
location and geometry. Coupling could occur through isms by which the discharge pulse signal can couple to
mutual inductance in the endwinding region, and also the measuring circuit. Radiative, capacitive, travelling
between bars in the same slot. Consequently, it was wave and magnetic couplings were investigated. The
necessary to investigate pulse propagation effects experi- physical layout of the model and measuring arrange-
mentally partly to clarify some of the differences sug- ments used are shown in Fig. 3. Pulses were injected from
gested by previous workers. a 5 ns risetime pulse generator through a small, low
inductance, capacitor. The input and output waveforms
3 Experimental investigations were observed and recorded on an oscilloscope having a
passband up to 300 MHz. A discharge detector with
Three sets of experimental investigations have been
undertaken, categorised as measuring lead
CROx10 atten probe endwinding half-length conductor
(a) fundamental experiments on a cable arrangement \ stress Daint bar with full endwindim
(b) fundamental experiments on a 500 MW model
arrangement of six half length conductor bars
(c) fundamental experiments on generator and motor model core
stator windings undertaken in the UK and Canada.
measmment earth
Preliminary conclusions have been drawn from the strip
results of these experimental investigations and have connected hollow
conductors
resulted in a decision to undertake a major investigation ~~$~~~ endwinding support
of type (c) on a large sample of machines in Canada in (brackets and cone)
1992.This study is expected to conclude the experimental injection capacitor region of screening
investigation. a

3.1 Experiments on a cable

Experiments by Kemp [l5] had shown that detector stator winding slots
\ ~

impedance can significantly effect the measured discharge bar positions

signal since the winding impedance is a function of fre- (whenin)
quency. The tests on a cable arrangement, which approx-
imates to a loss-free transmission system, were made to
examine whether the calibration impedance or an actual b
discharge arrangement represents a substantial mismatch Fig. 3 Measuring arrangements for pulse tests on 500 M W model
in the system. The cable was used to simulate a stator (I Side view of model

winding as a transmission line with respect to the trav-
elling wave component of the discharge signal.
A typical arrangement was as shown in Fig. 2. The
cable details are given in Table 1. Matched junctions with
unequally spaced cable lengths between them enabled
waveforms to be closely studied for evidence of reflections
from the injection point. No significant reflections were
observed with the IEC method of injection. With a
Trichel pulse generator (point-hemisphere gap) attached
to the energised cable no photographic records could be
obtained, but a similar conclusion was reached from
visual observation of waveforms on the CRO in so much
b Cross-section of model core
detection frequencies from approximately 35 to 250 kHz
was used in certain instances to obtain a relevant quant-
iative measure of discharge signal attenuation. The six
conductor bars (three top and three bottom bars) have
epoxy mica paper insulation and a low conductivity
coating on their outer surface covering the model core
length (approximately 1 m); total length of each half bar
from one end (stator centre line) to endwinding nozzle is
approximately 5 m.
When experimentation began radiative pickup was
found to be signficant. Fig. 4a shows the signal level on a

a
35m 40m 25m
short (1 m) length of conductor bar approximately 3 m
i i away from the injection point, lying on the earthed floor
I I plane. An unexpected amount of screening, six layers of
aluminium foil, was necessary to reduce the signal picked
up to an acceptable level. As appropriate to the experi-
mental condition the bars in the model were screened to
this degree to ensure accurate measurements were being
_L made. Fig. 4b shows the coupling from individual bars
designated A and B in the model with and without
Fig. 2 Measuring arrangements for cable pulse tests screening of bar B (which affects A transmitted pulse
412 IEE PROCEEDINGS-A, Vol. 140, NO. 5 , S E P T E M B E R 1993
waveshape). An example of the measurement logic is that connected via a coupling capacitor to the other, the
by joining at their nozzle positions two fully screened top detected signal varied with spacing as shown in Fig. 5.
bars situated in the same slots as two similarly screened
bottom bars it was possible to examine any pickup due
to common magnetic flux. No evidence of any significant
pulse coupling was observed. Fig. 4c shows a typical
example of propagation by travelling wave in which the
peak pulse amplitude is reduced as the wave progresses
-1 0
1
along the bar.

1 - 50 1
0 0.25 0.5 0.75 1.00 1.25 1.5 1 '5
endwinding separation, mm

Fig. 5 Attenuation of endwinding coupled signal (35-250 kHz

detector)

3.3 Experiments on complete stators

The work to be described utilised experimental tech-
a niques developed and reported over a number of years in
discharge detection studies undertaken in Canada [25-
271. Those earlier studies have involved pulse propaga-
tion in stator windings using a variety of time- and
frequency-domain techniques but were not undertaken
specifically for the purpose to which the present work
was applied although they do help to validate the results
and the conclusions reached. The experiments described
to examine winding behaviour were undertaken on two
large high-voltage motor windings in the laboratory and
they illustrate winding behaviour. One major benefit of
experimenting on a motor no longer in service was that
electrical connections could be made into the stator bars
and core at injection and detection points to ensure that
excellent high-frequency connections and earths were
b obtained. We are continuing work to gather similar
results from a substantial number of other machine wind-
ings.
One set of experiments described here were performed
on a 6.9 kV induction motor winding (motor A). The
other on a similar operating voltage machine with a dif-
ferent winding arrangement (motor B). The winding of
motor A is configured as four parallel paths per phase,
five coil groups/parallel, three coils per group, and six
turns per coil. Fig. 6 shows part of the winding arrange-
ment with injection/detection points. For pulse transmis-
sion experiments a repetitive pulse generator with a
risetime of 1 ns was used; pulse widths of down to 1 ns
C
A2-2 A 2 -5
Fig. 4 Results of pulse tests on 500 M W model A2-1 A2-3 A2-6 A2-4
a Top: pickup on short bar on floor outside model; Bottom: input to bar A in
model
b Top: pickup on unscreened bar B in model; Bottom: pickup on bar B in model
with effective screening on bar B
c Top: input pulse on bar A; Bottom: transmittedpulse out nozzle at bar A

The effect of direct coupling between endwinding con-

to next group
ductors was examined. The endwindings of large
-b
machines follow an involute curve to minimise generator
size, and are designed to have a specific space between
phase end
them for mechanical bracing purposes. However, in the
500 MW model the spacing could be varied by moving Fig. 6 Location of injection and detection points in stator winding of
one bar axially. This did not significantly affect the area motor A
over which coupling could occur. With a calibration A: A-phase; 2: second parallel; -1: winding number; 0 (A2-1): detection point;
2 , 3 etc.: injection points; first group: A2-i, A2-2, A2-3; second group: A2-4,
pulse injected into one bar and the discharge detector A2-5, A2-6

IEE PROCEEDINGS-A, Vol. 140, N O .5, SEPTEMBER 1993 413

could be achieved. For frequency domain measurements A2-3 injection points. The frequency characteristic below
three types of spectrum analysis were initially compared 10 kHz also has a flat transmission characteristic
(i) Spectrum analyser: A spectrum analyser with a
1.8 GHz built-in tracking generator was used. A tracking >
generator is a swept oscillator running at the observation F
>
E
frequency of its matched spectrum analyser. 0
(ii) FFT calculation: A pulse may be injected into a 0
a;
certain location in the stator winding as an input signal
and the response detected at another location as output -3
0

signal. A FFT calculation is applied to both input and timebase 50 nsldiv

output signals to obtain their frequency spectra and the a
ratio at any frequency gives the attentuation.
(iii) Sine wave sweeping: A sine wave generator was 5.
u
used to generate a series of sine waves at particular fre- s
E
quencies at the injection point. The magnitude of the 0
U
response at the detection point is recorded to give the a;
attenuation. -
0
-0
The spectrum analyser measurement was finally chosen
as the main test method for frequency domain studies on
timebase 50 nsldiv
motors A and B due to its high accuracy, wide frequency
b
band (10 kHz to 1.8 GHz) and easy operation.
In both pulse propagation and frequency domain >
-
measurements the input to the winding was matched to
the winding impedance via a specially designed connec- 2
E
0
tor. The response signal was detected in either instance R
by a FET probe. The FET probe and its coaxial cable ai
have a flat amplitude response characteristic to 1 GHz -3
c

0
which assures signals in that frequency band are trans-
mitted without distortion. timebase 500nsldiv
The form of the detected signal as a simulated dis- C
charge pulse progresses from an injection point around Fig. 8 Voltage induced in adjacent endwindingsfrom discharge simu-
one coil of motor A is shown in Fig. 7. In this instance lated in endwinding ofA2-I, motor A
a Applied voltage
IA 6 b Induced voltage
c As above, with slower sweeps
> (i) A2-1; (ii) A2-2; (iii) A2-3; (iv) A2-4
e
> 20
E
R 10
al
m 0
-?
c
0
U

U
a J -.1 0

I
= -2 0
I I I ul
I I I I E - 30
4 0 ~
.50 I I iiiiiii I I IIIIIII i iiiiiiii -T MII I
I IIIIIII
lo4 lo5 lo6 10’ lo8 lo9
frequency,Hz
a
20
10
m
u 0
5
u -10
=c - 20
E - 30
LO
50
1o4 lo5 1o6 td lo9
frequency,Hz
b
Fig. 9 Motor A stator winding frequency characteristics
a Injection points: 6 of A2-1, A2-2, A2-3
Detection point: 0 of A2-1
-A2-1 _______ A2-2
-A2-3
-A2-4 - _ _ _ _ _A2-5
_ A2-6~

b Injection points: 5 of A2-4, A2-5, A2-6

Detection point: 0 of A2-1

IEE PROCEEDINGS-A, Vol. 140, N O .5, SEPTEMBER 1993

although this is not shown in Fig. 9. The flat character-
istics indicate that the signals in this frequency band pro-
pagate as components of a travelling wave without loss
and reflection. The overshoot resonance frequency shifts
lower as the discharge signal travels through more of the
winding.
There is severe attenuation of high-frequency signals in
stator windings. High-frequency signal attenuation may
be clearly observed and quantitatively shown in different
frequency ranges in the winding frequency characteristics.
Signals start to attenuate above the cut-off frequency and
may attenuate typically 30 to 40 dB.
There are a number of resonances in high frequencies
above 10 MHz. There is another broadband overshoot
resonance peak between the frequencies 40 and 100 MHz.
The magnitude of this overshoot resonance peak as well
as that of the first one is over 0 dB i.e. signals may be
highly amplified instead of attenuated. This result is con-
sistent in the resonance frequency bands with that of
Kemp et al. [l5].
The frequency characteristics for the winding of motor
B are shown in Fig. 10. They show a similar region of
low attenuation exists in the low-frequency region.
1 oL lo5 106 lo7 108
frequency, Hz
a
frequency,Hz
b signal could be observed. Capacitive coupling in the end-
Fig. 10 Motor B stator winding frequency characteristics
a Injection points: 6 of C3-1, C3-2, C3-3
Detection point: 0 of C3-I
-c3-1 _ _ _ _ - -C3-2
- -3c-3
b Injection points: 6 of C3-4, C3-5, C3-6
Detection point: 0 of C3-1
-c3-4 _ _ _ _ - -c3-5
- ~ C3-6
The transfer function of the whole system from dis-
charge site in the winding to instrument output can be
split into various subtransfer functions. For example,
transfer functions for the part of the winding between dis-
charge site and winding phase terminal, for the measur-
ing circuit, and for the measuring instrument. Exactly
how the split is done should not affect the overall transfer
function provided all subtransfer functions are included.
The winding itself can be viewed as comprising a number
of subtransfer functions. Only those subtransfer functions
of the winding between the discharge site and the
measurement terminal affect the measured discharge
IEE PROCEEDINGS-A, Vol. 140, NO. 5, SEPTEMBER 1993
magnitude. To demonstrate the accuracy of the experi-
mental measurements described the simulated discharge
pulse was reconstructed from the detected pulse using the
appropriate, previously measured, transfer functions. This
is illustrated in Fig. 11 for injection at points 6 (A2-1)
and 5 (A2-2), detection being in both instances at the
phase terminal, 0 (A2-1).
10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140150
tirne,ns
a
40 60 80 100 120 U0 160 180200220240260280300320340360
t Irne,ns
b
io9 Fig. 11 Pulse reconstruction
a Injection point: 6 (A2-1)
Detection point: 0 (A2-1)
b Injection point : 5 (A2-2
Detection point: 0 (A2-1)
____---real PD pulse
__ reconstructedPD
--_- detected PD
4 Discussion
4.1 Pulse propagation studies
The laboratory experiments in a 500MW model were
designed to investigate mechanisms of discharge pulse
transfer. When extensive precautions were taken to
prevent radiative coupling of signal from injection to
detection points no significant magnetic coupling of
winding region was not significant.
When experiments were undertaken on a large motor
with a good high-frequency earth connected directly to
the core at the injection and detection points it was
observed that the injected pulse coupled predominantly
by a travelling-wave mechanism. Even for injection in the
endwinding region low levels of crosscoupling were
observed.
In these comments we distinguish between what we
term capacitive coupling which instantaneously induces a
voltage in a conductor which then can propagate in it as
a travelling wave, and electromagnetic coupling which
occurs from a conductor with a travelling wave in it
coupling another travelling wave in time synchronism
into an adjacent conductor (classic two-wire transmission
line). As a consequence we find that a discharge signal
propagates through a stator winding significantly only
through a travelling-wave mechanism. Thus it should be
415
possible to construct a model based on the foregoing as
has been done for surges.
The winding frequency response characteristics
obtained show that there is a frequency region of low
(zero) attenuation. This lies between 10 kHz and several
hundred kilohertz for practical purposes. Winding reson-
ances occur at higher frequencies and their values depend
on winding type and geometry, i.e. winding, coil length,
core length, etc.
These provisional findings need to be backed by an
extensive programme of measurements on a wide range
of machine sizes to establish their general validity.
4.2 PD specification
It is not the purpose of this Section to discuss a PD spe-
cification in detail, rather to identify some of the param-
eters that need to be fixed. The feasibility of setting a
specification, we believe, has been established by the
work done, but it will take a considerable amount of time
and effort to agree details. The form of the test will be
determined by the objective, which is to ensure that the
electrical insulation of the equipment is satisfactory when
the new or refurbished machine leaves the manufacturer’s
factory. Among the parameters to be fixed are
(a) test voltage and duration
(b) duration and amplitude of any voltage applied to
condition the stator
(c) winding configuration (single, all three phases or
both)
(d)gaseous environment
(e) quantity/quantities to be measured
(f)acceptable values and range of quantities to be
measured and permissible error
(g) calibration method, which should be capable of
being performed between terminals to determine
maximum attenuation for a particular winding.
5 Conclusions
The discharge pulse in a generator or motor stator
winding propagates only significantly as a travelling
wave. Very high frequencies, hundreds of megahertz to
gigahertz, are highly attenuated.
The winding of a generator or motor stator acts as a
low-pass filter. There will, in general, be a region at low
frequencies where attenuation is low. This low-frequency
range is the only one suitable for measuring discharge
from the point of view that attenuation will be low. A
simple terminal-to-terminal calibration should suffice to
determine winding attenuation. A method has to be
defined.
Ultimately it should be possible to model a stator
winding and determine the winding frequency response
characteristics from machine materials and dimensions.
Work on a range of high-voltage stator windings is
continuing to determine how general is the low-frequency
behaviour observed in the present study.
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IEE PROCEEDINGS-A, Vol. 140, N O . 5 , SEPTEMBER 1993