2021 International Electrical Engineering Congress (iEECON2021) (Full Manuscript)

March 10-12, 2021, Pattaya, THAILAND

Partial Discharge Investigation and Failure Analysis

on Distribution Network Using Acoustic Camera
Cattareeya Suwanasri, Worapoj Khetcharoen Shan Rungsivattagapong†, Nattawut Atiwet
Thanapong Suwanasri* and Nattapon Panmala and Papatsporn Poonpoch
King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok Victory Instrument Co. Ltd.
2021 9th International Electrical Engineering Congress (iEECON) | 978-1-7281-9584-1/20/$31.00 ©2021 IEEE | DOI: 10.1109/iEECON51072.2021.9440301

1518 Pracharat 1 Rd., Wongsawang, Bangsue, @Area Building, 5th floor, 5/15 Nonsi 5 Rd., Chongnonsi,
Bangkok, Thailand Yanava, Bangkok, Thailand
*thanapong.s.epe@tggs-bangkok.org †shan@vicinst.com

Abstract— This paper presents practical partial camera’s screen. The maintenance strategies
discharge (PD) investigation by using mobile acoustic according to determined PD type are mentioned.
camera with HV and MV equipment in distribution
network. Four types of PD are observed including II. ACOUSTIC CAMERA FOR PD DETECTION
corona discharge at energized electrode with low and PD acoustic sensor is designed to cover various
high discharge intensity, arcing between live parts or
measurement conditions, where on-site/on-line PD
live part with other components as well as surface or
detection can be applied. In this paper, a commercial
internal discharge with their corresponding PD
patterns. The PD severity as low, medium and high PD acoustic detector named NL camera shown in Fig.
together with its percentage probability can be analyzed 1 is applied to detect PD. The mobile acoustic PD
by applying NL cloud system based AI application. detector equips with 124 low noise microphones,
Laboratory test was performed to confirm the video camera and AI application used to identify and
effectiveness of the PD camera. Practical experiences locate PD site [4].
with different MV equipment are presented i.e. HV and
MV conductor, distribution transformer, pin and post
insulator, lightning arrester, fuse, spacer, and etc. The
results illustrate that the PD acoustic camera could
effectively detect PD problems in power equipment. The
maintenance strategies according to each determined
PD type and measured equipment could be suggested
for efficient maintenance.
Fig. 1. PD detection using acoustic camera
Keywords— acoustic camera, partial discharge, PD
severity, NL cloud system, artificial intelligence The working principle of this PD acoustic detector
is based on receiving sound wave emitted from a
I. INTRODUCTION discharge source. The analyzing tool is called NL
PD diagnosis is one of the most successful cloud system based on AI application. The sensor can
techniques for condition monitoring and HV and MV be used in the frequency range of 2 kHz to 35 kHz as
asset assessment. Unconventional PD detection has shown in Fig. 2 to locate a PD source by using 124
been currently developed for onsite PD investigation low-noise microphones with real-time sound
using different sensing techniques i.e. UHF, HFCT, visualization to detect the emitted sound wave. It is
acoustic sensors [1]. PD detection using acoustic completely inaudible and detectable by human sense.
sensor is one of the most convenient tool to perform
on-site PD diagnostic test with MV/HV equipment,
such as overhead power line, cable termination, cable
joint, transformer, and others [2-3]. This paper aims to
practically investigate the capability of PD acoustic
detector named NL acoustic camera with different
MV equipment along distribution network such as
distribution transformer, MV conductor, pin and post
insulator, lightning arrester, fuse, spacer, and etc. The
Fig. 2. Optimal frequency for PD detection (20-30 kHz).
performance of PD acoustic diagnostic tool is
investigated. The acoustic camera applies a principle III. LABORATORY TESTS
of detecting high frequency sound wave and analyzing
by artificial intelligence or AI cloud system to help A. PD Testing Circuit
analyze the type of PD and the severity that occurs. In Fig. 3, the test circuit is indirect measurement
The PD results are expressed in with Phase-Resolved circuit. It obtains PD signal occurring in opposite
PD (PRPD) patterns. Then, PD type is identified while direction of synchronized voltage source (Um) while
PD location can be detected and shown on the Im is discharge current. The coupling device is an

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 2021 International Electrical Engineering Congress (iEECON2021)
March 10-12, 2021, Pattaya, THAILAND
integral part of the test circuit and measuring system.
Its components are specifically designed to achieve
the optimal sensitivity with a specific test circuit. The
laboratory off-line PD detection using conventional
diagnostic tool is shown in Fig. 3. It consists of test
transformer 100 kV and conventional PD detection
using the IEC 60270 standard and ICMsystem for PD
analysis. The result from ICMsystem are compared
with the result from PD acoustic detector.
Fig. 3. Basic PD test circuit according to IEC 60270 standard.
Fig. 4. PD experimenal setup by ICMsystem.
B. PD Testing Objects
To investigate the PD sensitivity detection of PD
acoustic detector, the standard test objects are used to
demonstrate as PD source, which consists of surface
discharge, positive corona discharge, negative corona
discharge and artificial defected cable termination.
The PD test objects as surface discharge, HV needle
corona discharge, earth needle corona discharge and
atificial defected cable termination without stress
control are shown in Fig. 5.
Fig. 5. PD test objects.
C. Experimental Results
Supply voltage from 100 kV test transformer was
raised until the PD was detectable. The acquisition
period of NL camera was 100 ms while the
ICMsystem was 10 seconds for any test object. The
PD acoustic detector illustrated the snapshot for 100
ms resulting in data interposed for 20 ms period due to
power frequency synchronization. The ICMsystem
was synchronized to the voltage source by low-part
filter. Then, the apparent charge was plotted in dot
patterns. The gray to red color represents repetition
times of PD. The results from ICMsystem and NL
cloud system are compared and show the same PD
patterns as shown in Figs. 6-7.
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Fig. 6. Acoustic camera snapshot (left) and PD detected by
ICMsystem (right).
Fig. 7. Acoustic camera snapshot of atificial defected cable
termination for discharge location.
Therefore, the PD acoustic diagnostic technique is
accurate for diagnostic test for insulation degradation.
Due to limitations on on-site and on-line testing, the
conventional PD is not effective detection tool by
several requirements. This PD acoustic detection
technology is developed to detect the defect on
insulation system. The comparative results in
laboratory show that capability of PD acoustic
detector is successfully applied to detect the PD
source in term of PRPD pattern. This detection tool
allows the non-experience engineer to understand the
result quickly. The PD camera will further be applied to
detect PD in different types of MV equipment i.e.
conductor, distribution transformer, pin and post
insulator, lightning arrester, fuse, spacer, and etc.
IV. PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE FOR PD DETECTION
WITH DISTRIBUTION NETWORK
MV equipment in distribution system were
practically investigated. PD severity and possibility
were also analyzed by AI system. By patrol
investigation, a total of 1533 tower spans were
investigated within 3 days monitoring period. Failures
were found in 81 spans as presented in Figs.8-20.
In Fig. 8, a surface discharge was found with
100% probability at the point where a partial insulated
conductor in a MV feeder was touched by a branch of
a tree causing high impedance discharge to ground.
Cutting that branch of a tree is urgently executed to
solve this problem.
Fig. 8. Surface PD between conductor and touching branch of a tree.
 2021 International Electrical Engineering Congress (iEECON2021)
March 10-12, 2021, Pattaya, THAILAND
In Fig. 9, a low intensity corona discharge was
found with 100% probability at a recloser in a MV
feeder due to loosen contact at it terminal. Since the
discharge intensity was still low, a planned schedule
maintenance to tighten the loosen bolt and nut at
recloser’s terminal is recommended.
Fig. 9. Low intensity corona discharge at recloser’s terminal.
In Fig. 10, a low intensity corona negative
discharge was found with 100% probability at a 115
kV suspension insulator stringing in a substation due
to loosen contact at its cap and pin connection. Since
the discharge intensity was still low, a planned
schedule maintenance to tighten the connection
between suspension insulator in each insulator string
was recommended.
Fig. 10. Low intensity corona discharge at the connection of 115 kV
suspension insulator.
In Fig.11, a surface discharge was found with
100% probability at a pin post insulator supporting the
conductor to bushing terminal of a 24 kV/400 V
distribution transformer due to contamination on the
insulator’s surface. Since the surface discharge was
found with moderate severity, urgent planned
schedule maintenance to clean the insulator’s surface
was recommended.
Fig. 11. Surface discharge at pin post insulator supporting conductor
to transformer.
In Fig. 12, a low intensity corona negative
discharge was found with 100% probability at a 24 kV
surge arrester protecting a 24 kV/400 V transformer
due to loosen contact at arrester’s terminal. Since the
discharge intensity was still low, a planned schedule
maintenance to tighten the loosen bolt and nut at
arrester’s terminal was recommended.
Fig. 12. Low intenity corona discharge at 24 kV surge arrester.
In Fig. 13, a high intensity corona positive
discharge was found with 100% probability at a 115
kV overhead conductor preformed armour rods due to
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loosen contact at clamp. Since the discharge intensity
was high, a planned schedule maintenance to tighten
the loosen clamp should be conducted as soon as
possible.
Fig. 13. High intensity corona discharge at conductor preformed
armour rods of 115 kV overhead line.
In Fig.14, a high intensity corona discharge as
corona positive was found with 60% probability at a
conductor preformed armour rods of a 115 kV
overhead line insulator due to loosen contact at clamp.
Since the discharge intensity was moderate, a planned
schedule maintenance to tighten the loosen clamp was
recommended.
Fig. 14. Moderate intensity corona discharge at 115 kV conductor
preformed armour rods.
In Fig.14, a surface discharge was found with
100% probability at a 24 kV surge arrester closing to
drop-out fuse due to contamination on the arrester’s
surface. Since the surface discharge was found with
moderate severity, urgent planned schedule
maintenance to clean the arrester’s surface was
recommended.
Fig. 15. Surface discharg at 24 kV surge arrester.
In Fig. 14, a high intensity corona positive
discharge was found with 60% probability at the
conductor clamp of a 24 kV leading conductor to fuse
due to loosen contact at clamp. Since the discharge
intensity was moderate, a planned schedule maintenance
to tighten the loosen clamp was recommended.
Fig. 16. Moderate intensity corona discharge at conductor clamp of
24 kV overhead line.
In Fig.17, a high intensity corona discharge as
corona positive was found with 100% probability at a
preformed armour rods and conductor clamp on top of
a 24 kV insulator in a feeder due to loosen contact at
clamp. Since the discharge intensity was high, a
planned schedule maintenance to tighten the loosen
clamp should be conducted as soon as possible.
 2021 International Electrical Engineering Congress (iEECON2021) (Full Manuscript)
March 10-12, 2021, Pattaya, THAILAND

detect problems of power equipment and make it

Fig. 17. High intensity corona discharge at conductor clamp of
24 kV overhead line.
In Fig.18, a surface discharge was found with
100% probability at a one point of a partial insulated
conductor due to partial insulated conductor touching
tension wire. Since the surface discharge was found
with moderate severity, urgent planned schedule
maintenance to clean the insulator’s surface was
Area
possible to classify PD type and its severity with
minimum experience of engineers or technician in
using acoustic camera. Practical experiences by
measurement with different power equipment were
presented. The severity and probability of PD were
also analyzed based AI analysis as build-in function of
acoustic camera. The maintenance plan according to
each PD type and equipment were suggested for
problem correction and effective maintenance.
TABLE I. DISTRIBUTION NETWORK DATA AND PD TYPES
Types of PD
No. of Distance corona corona discharge surface/

Total
recommended. spans (km) negative positive between internal
discharge discharge components discharge
1 233 3.5 0 2 0 3 7
2 300 4.5 0 2 3 3 8
3 100 1.5 0 1 0 4 5
4 83 2.5 2 2 0 2 6
5 200 6.0 0 3 0 0 3
6 100 3.0 0 3 0 8 11
Fig. 18. Surface discharge at partial insulated conductor touching 7 67 2.0 0 1 1 7 9
tension wire. 8 83 2.5 0 1 0 0 1
9 117 3.5 0 2 0 3 5
In Fig. 19, a high intensity corona positive 10 117 3.5 2 2 0 18 22
discharge was found with 90% probability at a spacer 11 83 2.5 2 1 1 0 4
of a 24 kV feeder due to loosen contact at spacer 12 50 1.5 0 0 0 2 2
terminal. Since the discharge intensity was high, a Total 1533 36.5 6 20 5 50 81
planned schedule maintenance to tighten the loosen Percentage of failure = 5.28%
contact should be conducted as soon as possible.
TABLE II. PD TYPES VERSUS MV EQUIPEMNT.
PD Types Failure Components Failure Causes
corona negative lightning arrester, lossen fitting, lossen
discharge conductor, drop out contact at equipment’s
12 cases fuse, conductor to terminal, pollution
insulator, spacer
corona positive conductor, pin aged/degraded equipment,
Fig. 19. High intensity corona positive at 24 kV spacer. discharge insulator, suspension pollution
20 cases insulator, spacer
In Fig. 20, a high intensity arcing was found at discharge between conductor to pin arcing between conductor
touching point of 24 kV conductor, insulator, components insulator, and components, damaged
preformed armour rods and clamp with 100% 5 cases conductor to /degraded insulation, aged
probability. Because discharge intensity was high and suspension insulator equipment, , pollution
hot spot may occur, a planned schedule maintenance surface/internal conductor, spacer, PD between conductor and
discharge lightning arrester other components & tree,
to check at the contact is requested. 50 cases damaged insulation, aged
equipment, pollution

Fig. 20. Arcing at touching point of 24 kV conductor.
Table I summarizes network data such as area,
number of spans, distance and PD types, and numbers
of failure. The percentage of failure is 5.28% out of
1533 spans. The highest % failure is surface/internal
discharge. In Table II, the PD types, failures causes
and failure components were summarized.
V. CONCLUSIONS
PD acoustic camera has been developed to detect
the defect of insulation system. The results show the
capability of PD acoustic system applied to detect
various PD sources. The PD acoustic camera is able to
REFERENCES
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Acoustics. 11 May, 2020. www.nlacoustics.co.

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