DOCUMENT Partial Discharge Theory

December 2012
Partial Discharge Theory
Christoph Wendel
2012-02-20, We 1
Agenda
1. What are partial discharges?

2. How can PD be detected?
3. Something special on PD in Machines?
4. Why PD measurement?
5. Examples and case studies
6. Instruments and Installation
2012-02-20, We 2
Agenda

2012-02-20, We 3
1. What are Partial Discharges?
2012-02-20, We 4
Physical background, some PD sources
By excessive electrical stress of gas distances in any dielectric material

Discharges
corona surface in laminated
discharge discharge material
cavity
discharges PD in solid
insulation
material
(treeing
channels)
2012-02-20, We 5
Physical background, general information
A PD is a discharge that does not short circuit a

complete electrode configuration.
PD’s can only appear in gaseous media.
PD sources are energised by all capacitive parts
that are in parallel to the PD location.
It’s not possible to measure the PD energy
directly, the measured energy is always lower.
PD’s do not indicate high current problems.
2012-02-20, We 6
Physical background, Avalanche in insulation
externally applied field gas filled void

E0
Partial Discharges are
negativ ion
positive ion
electron
INDICATOR
emission of
UV radiation and CAUSE
generation of ei
secondary electrons
ea of insulation system aging
solid dielectric
Partial discharge within an insulation defect
local electrical over-stressing of insulating materials

locally confined breakdowns; electron avalanches
repetitive local current pulses result in external electrical signals
2012-02-20, We 7
Physical background, Waveform, Frequency content
0.4
Pulse propagation in a stator bar
Partial Discharge Current

1
0.3
Waveform Voltage (Relative)
Due to conserved charge,

Original PD pulse
the time integral of the 0.2
amplitude remain
approximately
constant Pulse deformation by attenuation
and dispersion 0.1
Pulse strongly
deformed, no HF 0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
component left
Time t [ns]
-10 -8 -6 -4 -2
0
0 2 4 6 8 10
Pulse propagation in a stator bar
Time [ns]
Relative Frequency Content

1
0
1.E+00 1.E+03 1.E+06 1.E+09 1.E+12
Frequency [Hz]
2012-02-20, We
8
Components of a machine winding
A: Copper strand
B: Strand insulation
C: Interstick insulation /
(inner corona protection)
D: Covering tape
E: (Additional slot corona tape)
F: Corona protection, slot and
overhang
G: Overhang support
H: Main insulation
I: Filler strip / Slot wedge
2012-02-20, We
9
PD sources in slot section
A: Very high local electric field

A B: Delamination: conductor - insulation
(electromechanical/thermal stress)
C: Delamination of insulation layers
B (Thermal Stress)
C D: Treeing – a long term deterioration
process
F G: Bubbles, air inclusions
D F: slot discharges erosion of semi-
G conducting varnishes
2012-02-20, We 10
Physical background, PD at slot exit and winding overhang
2012-02-20, We 11
Physical background, internal partial discharges
EPD in EPD out
4
EF
1
2
- - - -- - - -
-
iPD EF
EF EPD iPD EF EPD
+
+ ++ ++ + + +
Before 1st PD After 1st PD After 2nd PD
-- - - - - - -
-
EPD EF EPD iPD EF iPD
+
++ + + + + ++
Before 3rd PD After 3rd PD After 4th PD
2012-02-20, We
12
Physical background, Partial discharges in slot section
insulated stator bar in slot
C1
Cvoid C2
void
ground high voltage
resin impregnated
layered
main insulation
t
PD pulses
q PD = ∫ i PD
time 0
2012-02-20, We
13
Physical background, Appearance of inner discharges
2012-02-20, We
14
4. Air and gaseous insulation
Air and solid insulation, example for de-lamination
Example, good bar:

• 13.8 kV Generator, E=2 . 5 kV/mm
U 13.8 kV
d= = = 3.2 mm
3⋅E 3 ⋅ 2.5 mm
kV
U1=8kV,
ε1=5.5, d1=3.2mm
Example, 150µm Delamination:

ε1 5.5
ε2U 1
U2 = ⋅ = = 1.6kV ; (U1 = 6.4kV )
ε 1 d1 3 5.5 3.2
+ +
ε 2 d2 1 0.15
Example, 150µm Delamination:
U2, U1, ε1 5.5
ε2=1, d2=0.15mm ε1=5.5, d1=3.2mm ε2 U 1
U2 = ⋅ = = 1.83kV
ε1 d1 3 5.5 6.23
+ +
ε 2 d2 1 0.15
2012-02-16, We 15 7
Physical background, Paschen’s Law
Especially in air cooled machines are

1st electrode hundret’s of possible PD locations
⇒ If PD can appear they will appear
2nd electrode
Gases with higher

“electronegativy”,
heavier gases
≈ 5 kV Gases with lower

“electronegativy”,
lighter gases
≈ 330 V
T = 293K
≈ 8·10-4 bar·cm 1 bar·mm

Log p·d
2012-02-20, We 16
Equivalents for internal and external PD
Inner PD External PD
C1 C1
The simplified
equivalent circuits
Cvoid C2 cannot explain The Cvoid R1
phenomena that are
going on in real
systems.
They may be used for

• PD source not vented basic understanding
• Pressure increases with but not for the
• PD source vented
each PD assessment of PD
• Pressure remains constant
• Surface PD on both sides behavior
• Surface PD on maximum one side
of the cavity of the electrode configuration
• Symmetrical behaviour • Often asymmetrical behaviour
within the cavity
2012-02-20, We
17
Agenda

2012-02-20, We 18
Measuring techniques
Non electrical methods:

• Ultrasonic localisation (acoustic)
• Optical methods (light emission, UV-light)
• Chemical methods (Ozone, ingredients of gas)
Electrical methods:
– Potential free measurements
• RF (Radio Frequency) methods
• Current transformer
– Galvanic coupling
• With one PD coupler
• With two PD couplers (differential measurement)
2012-02-20, We 19
Measuring techniques, non-electrical methods

E0
negativ ion
positive ion
electron Light
emission of • Insulation has to
UV radiation
be transparent
generation of ei • Bars have to be
secondary electrons accessible for sensor
ea
• Not practical for
solid dielectric machines
Sound
• The insulation must be accessible
with a microphone
• Practical for off-line measurements
2012-02-20, We 20
Measuring techniques, RF-measurements

E0
negativ ion
positive ion
electron
emission of
UV radiation
generation of ei
secondary electrons
ea
solid dielectric

RF emission
• Measurements with antennas > not possible to calibrate
• Sensitive for radio transmitters
• Measurement of the complete winding, or
• Punctual measurements with small probes > insulation must
be accessible > practical for off-line measurements
• Or installation of special PD antennas, e.g. SSC’s
2012-02-20, We 21
Measuring techniques, Galvanic coupling and CT’s
1 PD coupler
• PD from all directions

• Large couplers possible
• Useful bandwidths:
10 kHz …. 1000 MHz
PD-Detector
2 PD couplers
• Directional measurement
allows suppression of
external PD
• Smaller couplers
10 MHz …. 1000 MHz
PD-Detector

CT
• No extra couplers
PD-Detector 10 kHz …. 1 MHz
2012-02-20, We 22
Measuring techniques, directional couplers
2 PD couplers
> 2m
PD-Detector
Pulse propagation on the iso-bus,

differential sensors in 2 meter distance
1
Waveform Voltage (Relative)

reliable
Direction and slope are
classified as indication harder
for noise
questionable
0
-10 -5 0 5 10 15 20
Time [ns]
2012-02-20, We 23
Measuring techniques, differential couplers on hydrogenerators
tRB1
Phase Ring Buses t RB1 + t MC1 = t RB 2 + t MC 2
tMC1
tRB2
tMC1 PD-Detector
2012-02-20, We 24
Measuring techniques, Sensitivity
CC
PD Detector
u(t) ~ System Insulation
Zm
I’’PD (t) I’PD (t)
Insulation: charge displacement, i.e. current pulse

Coupling Capacitor Ck : low impedance “charge-source”
Measuring Impedance Zm: de-coupling of the current pulse
C Coupler
The larger the ratio: the more sensitive is the system
C System
2012-02-20, We 25
Measuring techniques, Pulse Polarity
CC
PD Detector
u(t) ~ System Insulation
Zm
I’’PD (t) I’PD (t)
• Positive PD currents generate negative voltage drop in external PD coupler

• Most manufacturers, e.g. PD Tech, reverse polarity
• Others, e.g. IRIS, do not
• In case the measurement impedance is in series with the test object the
polarity is correct
2012-02-20, We 26
Measuring techniques, PD Detector
CC
Zm A µC
D
Uout
Uin
2012-10-23, We 27
Optimal coupler size
Rslot corona protection ,LCoils

RInsulation
iCoupler iWinding
CCoupler Copper
CWinding
In an event of partial discharges, the location is an energy sink! Machine capacitance and coupler is source of energy.
Here in idealized calculation, assuming lumped capacitance:
Given by instrumentation,
iCoupler ∝ CCoupler and iMachine ∝ CMachine
Given by machine design, no
(q )
optimization possible optimization possible
qCoupler ∝ CCouplerCoupler ∝
C C Machine
+ C Machine
and Machine CCoupler + C Machine
With C Machine 〉〉 C Coupler ⇒ q Coupler ∝ CCoupler
Large couplers can provide higher signal amplitudes
2012-02-20, We 28
How deep can we look?
R’slot corona protection ,L’Coils
iCoupler
CCoupler C’Winding iWinding2 iWinding1 Copper

R’Insulation
• Due to CMachine >> Ccoupler Nearly all PD energy is provided by the surrounding machine winding.
• The corona protection materials (inner, slot and endwinding) plus the winding inductance leads to additional damping to
the capacitances far away from PD location, by attenuation and dispersion.
• The energy from the PD couplers has the longest way to travel to PD location largest damping
• In other words: The deeper the PD location is inside the winding the less energy is provided by the couplers, and the
portion of energy decays over-linear.
• In other words:
• PD equipment is “blind” for events deep inside the winding
2012-02-20, We 29
What do values tell us?
“partial discharge testing: a progress report”, IRMC 2011, Vicky Warren
2012-12-06, We 30
Measuring techniques, optimum frequency range
CC
PD Detector
Zm
Natural impedance of cable

Matching resistor
• High frequency range:

• Transmission of measured signal trough cable (RG58 or similar)
• Cable has 50 ohms impedance
• PD detector needs to match the cable (with 50 ohms) to avoid reflexions
• With C = 2πRf1 low and f low e.g. 40 MHz ⇒ C = 80 pF
• High frequency with low content of disturbances ; original pulse shapes (needs fast data acquisition); better for
automated systems and alarm generation
• Low frequency range:
• Cable has again 50 ohms impedance
• PD detector needs not to match the cable, because reflexions at long cables only
• Large coupling capacitors (e.g. 1000 nF) can be used to gain high sensitivity
• High sensitivity (with higher amount of disturbances); quasi-integrated pulses (slower data acquisition can be
used with better resolution, better for discrimination between different PD sources)
2012-02-20, We 31
Measuring techniques, Disturbances
Pulse propagation in a stotor winding,

Influence of disturbances, comparison of LF and HF-System
Original pulse spectrum

u ∝ sin(f) + 13 sin(3 f) + 15 sin(5 f) + ...
Disturbances
LF Equipment according IEC 60270
Passband, RF System
0.4
Partial Discharge Current

0.3
0.2
0.1
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
Time t [ns]
0
1.E+03 1.E+06 1.E+09 1.E+12
Frequency [Hz]
2012-02-20, We 32
Measuring techniques, influence of noise, and noise cancellation
Pulse propagation in a stotor winding,
Influence of disturbances, comparison of LF and HF-System
Original Pulse
Disturbances
According IEC 60270

1
Passband, RF System
0
1.E+03 1.E+06 1.E+09 1.E+12
Frequency [Hz]
2012-02-20, We 33
Measuring techniques, influence of noise, and noise cancellation
“Gating”
2012-02-20, We 34
Ways to display
Frequency spectrum, with Spectrum Analyser
1,2
Two dimensional
PD source #1
1
PD source #2
relative Amplitude [dB]
0,8 PD source #3
0,6
0,4
0,2
0
1,E+00 1,E+03 1,E+06 1,E+09 1,E+12
Frequency [Hz]
Quasi three dimensional
2012-02-20, We 35
Comparison of HF and LF systems, summary
High frequency Low frequency

(IRIS Power product line) (PDTech product line)
Low noise and noise
Signal to Noise ratio Higher noise
separation
Sensitivity Smaller, 80pF Large, 1000 pF
Multitude of Details Smaller Large
Easy interpretation, no Often specialist

Ease of interpretation
specialist needed interpretation required
• Discrimination between PD
• Automatic alarm generation
sources
• IRIS database comparison
Preferrably used for • Early detection of processes
• Continuous trending
• Specialist interpretation
• No specialists required
required
Agenda

2012-02-20, We 37
3. Something special?
What makes high voltage machines so PD resistant?
Electrical ageing mechanisms in insulation material

Cable Insulation Today’s machine insulation
(with mica)
without mica: growing channel -> with mica: barrier effect ->
moving tip with geometrical stopping channel; charging of the
shift of the field enhancement; barrier; more homogeneous field
increase of the field enhancement behind the barrier
erosion traces along

discharge the interface,
channel concentration of
field enhancement
space charges
at channel tip
2012-02-20, We 38
3. Something special?
What makes high voltage machines so PD resistant?
2012-02-20, We 39
Agenda

2012-02-20, We 40
The one and only reason
Examples of damages in stator winding system

Poor coupling Defective
between stator insulation barrier /
bars and slot phase separation
wall
Detect faults in the stator winding system before they damage it - and to
remove them early.
Partial Discharge is a symptom of several stator winding problems caused
by electrical, thermal, mechanical and chemical stresses.
Only high PD can cause damages, but also low PD may indicate other aging
phenomena.
PD is the only on-line method to observe high voltage insulation
systems continuously and directly.
2012-02-20, We 41
Agenda

2012-02-20, We 42
Inner PD
2012-02-20, We 43
Surface discharges
2012-02-20, We 44
Slot discharges // Inductive discharges
Inductive discharges
are
best reason for installation
of coupler in neutral point
2012-02-20, We 45
PD from particles on floating potential
2012-02-20, We 46
De-lamination discharges // Discharges from detachments
2012-02-20, We 47
Phase separation discharges // Discharges between phases
2012-02-20, We 48
Endwinding discharges
2012-02-20, We 49
External disturbances // Noise
2012-02-20, We 50
Internal discharges // Slot exit PD // Slot discharges
Inner PD
Slot exit PD
Slot PD
2012-02-20, We 51
Surface PD // Endwinding PD // Floating PD
Surface PD
End winding PD
PD from particles on floating potential,

“floating PD”
2012-02-20, We 52
PD between phases
2012-02-20, We 53
Recommended to shut down machine
Example 1: shutdown of machine based on On-Line PD behaviour

Turbogenerator 433 MVA / 24 kV / 60 Hz / H2 cooled
Analysis of
PD-pattern:
Recommendation:
• shutdown
• check the cooling
gas conditioning
(moisture)
Potential Risk:
• surface discharge
tracking
• subsequent ground
fault
Finding:
• defective H2 dryer
1997-07-23 found / replaced
• normal pattern;
level decreased; no
more critical
1999-07-22 1999-10-22
2012-02-20, We 54

Turbogenerator 85 MVA / 13.8 kV / 60 Hz / air cooled
Analysis of
PD-pattern:
Recommendation:
• shutdown
• check the clean bus
terminals inside
generator
2000-03-16
Potential Risk:
• surface discharge on
bus terminal plate
• subsequent phase to
phase fault 2000-03-19
Finding:
extremely high PD
• severe oil
1999-01-13 contamination
• PD behavior no more
critical after cleaning
2012-02-20, We 55

Turbogenerator 129.5 MVA / 11 kV / 50 Hz / air cooled
asymmetric shape Analysis of

PD-pattern:
Recommendation:
• shutdown within 1
month
• check of slot section
of phase U and V
Potential Risk:
• high PD activity in
slot section
• possible stator earth
fault
Finding:
• eroded slot corona
protection, eroded
main insulation
• Normal PD behavior
after rewind of the
stator
2002-02-23, low temperature 2002-02-23, high temperature
2012-02-20, We 56
Example 3: Investigation and follow up measurement

Turbogenerator 129 MVA / 11 kV / 50 Hz / air cooled
Condition based maintenance planning

enabled the customer to schedule
necessary work! 2002-07-16, low temperature
2012-02-20, We 57

Turbogenerator 180 MVA / 13.8 kV / 60 Hz / air cooled
2012-02-20, We 58
Agenda
1. What are partial discharges

2. How can PD be detected
4. Why PD measurement
2012-02-20, We 59
6. Instruments and installation
Overview IRIS & PDTech product line for generators and motors
Function SSC PDA EMC BUS EMC, BUS CC
Larger Turbo Larger Hydro Small Turbos, Turbos,

Generators Generators Motors, cable large Motors,
(significant noise)
connected some Hydros
6 … 12 2 … 4 per Phase 1 per Phase 2 per Phase
2 … 4 per Phase Depending on lenghts of
ring bus and number of
prallel circuits
Portable TGA-S PDA-IV TGA-B

MICAMAXX pdplus / master
Continuous Turbo Guard HydroGuard BusGuard
Monitoring
MICAMAXX pdplus / master
Trending HydroTrac PDTrac II BusTrac
and Alarm
MICAMAXX pda
Directional antennas in 80 pF Epoxy-Mica 80 pF Epoxy-Mica Couplers
Comments slot, below wedge or Couplers
between bars
1000 pF Ceramic Couplers
2012-02-20, We 60
Product pictures
PDTrac II
EMC, 80 pF
TGA-S
PDA-IV
CC, 1000 pF
CC, 1000 pF TurboGuard
BusGuard
MICAMAXXpda
HydroGuard
Current
transformers
MICAMAXXpdplus
HydroTrac
MICAMAXXmaster
BusTrac
SSC TGA-B
2012-02-20, We 61
Measuring methods galvanic coupling
1 PD coupler

• Large couplers possible
10 kHz …. 1000 MHz
PD-Detector
2 PD couplers
• Differential measurement
allows suppression of
external PD
• Smaller couplers
10 MHz …. 1000 MHz
PD-Detector
2012-02-20, We 62
Current transformers

CT85
PD-Detector 10 kHz …. 1 MHz
• PD from starpoint
CT17
10 kHz …. 1 MHz
PD-Detector

CT17
• Strong damping through
cable corona protection
• PD sum signal only
PD-Detector
10 kHz …. 1 MHz
2012-02-20, We 63
Current transformers

CT17
• Strong damping through
cable corona protection
PD-Detector • Useful bandwidths:
10 kHz …. 1 MHz

CT17
• Unknown damping of
CSurge
surge capacitor
• Unknown transmission
PD-Detector
behaviour of CSurge
10 kHz …. 1 MHz
Major Advantages of current transformers:
• No external couplers
• ATEX proof
2012-02-20, We 64
www.qualitrolcorp.com
www.pdtech.com / www.irispower.com
Christoph Wendel, RMTS
cwendel@qualitrolcorp.com
+41 56 416 90 93
2012-02-20, We 65

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December 2012

Partial Discharge Theory

1. What are partial discharges?

1. What are partial discharges?

By excessive electrical stress of gas distances in any dielectric material

A PD is a discharge that does not short circuit a

externally applied field gas filled void

Partial discharge within an insulation defect

local electrical over-stressing of insulating materials

Partial Discharge Current

Due to conserved charge,

Relative Frequency Content

A: Very high local electric field

EPD in EPD out

Example, good bar:

Example, 150µm Delamination:

Especially in air cooled machines are

Gases with higher

≈ 5 kV Gases with lower

≈ 8·10-4 bar·cm 1 bar·mm

They may be used for

1. What are partial discharges?

Non electrical methods:

externally applied field gas filled void

Partial discharge within an insulation defect

externally applied field gas filled void

Partial discharge within an insulation defect

• PD from all directions

• PD from all directions

Pulse propagation on the iso-bus,

Waveform Voltage (Relative)

Insulation: charge displacement, i.e. current pulse

• Positive PD currents generate negative voltage drop in external PD coupler

Rslot corona protection ,LCoils

With C Machine 〉〉 C Coupler ⇒ q Coupler ∝ CCoupler

Large couplers can provide higher signal amplitudes

R’slot corona protection ,L’Coils

CCoupler C’Winding iWinding2 iWinding1 Copper

“partial discharge testing: a progress report”, IRMC 2011, Vicky Warren

Natural impedance of cable

• High frequency range:

Pulse propagation in a stotor winding,

Original pulse spectrum

Partial Discharge Current

According IEC 60270

Quasi three dimensional

High frequency Low frequency

Sensitivity Smaller, 80pF Large, 1000 pF

Multitude of Details Smaller Large

Easy interpretation, no Often specialist

1. What are partial discharges?

Electrical ageing mechanisms in insulation material

erosion traces along

1. What are partial discharges?

Examples of damages in stator winding system

1. What are partial discharges?

PD from particles on floating potential,

Example 1: shutdown of machine based on On-Line PD behaviour

Example 2: shutdown of machine based on On-Line PD behaviour

Example 3: shutdown of machine based on On-Line PD behaviour

asymmetric shape Analysis of

Example 3: Investigation and follow up measurement

Condition based maintenance planning