01 Techimp DP

Training Course
Partial Discharge Diagnosis

And
TechImp PD Systems
ENDESA TRAINING COURSE TECHIMP

Company Outline
Company Presentation
TECHIMP SPA is an academic spin off of the University of Bologna
Professors and former students

Shareholders of Bologna University
Bologna University
Provide innovation in the field of

energy, measurement, monitoring
diagnosis, risk assessment
Business mission
Promote improved and effective
practices of asset and energy
management

Company Structure
- University of Bologna
- Private stockholders (professors and
researchers)
TechImp SUR Sa, Buenos Aires

Activities in South America
Consorzio Bolognese
Energia Galvani Holding
TechImp Beijing Ltd., Beijing

Activities in the Far East
Services for the Energy Products

Products andfor the
Services
market and Energy For Diagnosis of of
the Diagnosis
Saving Electrical Systems
Services for the Diagnosis of

Electrical Systems

Part I:
Theory, representation and classification
of Partial Discharges
•PD definition
•PD taxonomy
•A little bit of physics (internal PD)
•The concept of PD pattern
• TechImp technology

PD definition (IEC 60270)
• Partial discharge (PD):
localized electrical discharge that only partially
bridges the insulation between conductors and
which can or can not occur adjacent to a conductor
• PD normally develop in air gaps or on insulation surfaces
HV electrode
Defects
LV electrode

Partial discharge taxonomy
• Three basic types of PD

sources:
Internal PD
– Internal PD
– Surface PD
HV
– Corona PD Surface PD
HV
• Focus on
internal discharges
Corona PD

A little bit of physics (internal PD)
• Field enhancement at defect site
• PD triggering process
• What happens during a PD?
• Simplistic PD description

Field enhancement at defect site (1)
• Thus, cavities are characterized by:
– a larger field (in general) than the field inside the

dielectric
– lower electrical strength than the dielectric
• Discharges can occur in cavities without breaking the

complete insulation system.
• That is why we have, partial discharges

Field enhancement at defect site (2)
• Field inside the dielectric: E0
E1 div D = 0
•Ecavity= f E0
curl E = 0
• Hypothesis to calculate f:
-quasi-static model
-no free charge E2
• f depends on the shape of

the cavity
ε2
ε 1
f=1 f=ε r
1<f<ε r
prolate oblate general

Electron avalanche
Before collision After collision
+
Positive λ
ion
- Free - -
electron
Gas
Electrons
molecule
If the field is sufficient to give to the

electron the necessary kinetic energy
(accelerating it along the distance λ) to
liberate others electrons : we have an
electron avalanche. (Ei≥Einc)

PD inception conditions
• A free electron is available in the gas inside the void.
• Mechanisms that allow a free electron inside the gas:

– Ionization by photon/gas molecule collision (background radiation)
– Schottky emission of electrons from metal and /or dielectric surfaces
(electron injection).
• The external field, fE0, exceeds the inception field, Einc.
• The free electron, accelerated by electric field, can trigger

an electron avalanche (PD).

What happens during a PD? (1)
Anode, +
The PD transfers:
E0
- Electrons to the cavity
surface acting as anode
- Positive ions to the

cavity surface acting as
cathode
Cathode, -

What happens during a PD? (2)
Anode, +
This charge distribution

generates a local field Eq
The local field has opposite E0

sign to the external field (i.e.,
due to the external source),
fE0. Eq fE0
Thus, the local field reduces

the internal field (i.e., the
field inside the cavity).
Cathode, -
Ei=fE0-Eq

PD extinction
• A minimum field is required to sustain the avalanche.
• The PD stops when the internal field, Ei is equals the

so-called residual field, Eres.
In other words, the PD stops when the local field, Eq, is
sufficiently large to stop the avalanche.
• Extinction condition:
Ei=Eres fE0-Eq=Eres
• Important: Ei and Eq are the internal and local field,
respectively, at the end of the PD event.

PD amplitude
Extinction condition:
Ei=Eres fE0-Eq=Eres
EXTINCTION CONDITIONS
We define: ∆Eq=fE0-Eres Ei≡Eres
The charge due to the PD (qPD)

is the one which generates the fE0 ∆Eq
condition Ei=Eres
qPD = k * ∆Eq
The coefficient k depends on the shape and on the
dimensions of the cavity (charge distribution),
that is why the amplitude of internal discharges
depends on the dimensions of the defect
Simplistic PD description
Hypotheses:
•Infinite electronic availability (PD always occurs when
Ei=Einc) •Einc, inception field
•No charge diffusion (Eq constant between subsequent PD)
•Eres, residual field
•fE0 = fEmax*sin(2*pi*freq*t),
f field due to the applied
voltage.
•Eq, local field,

due to the charge
distribution, changes after
each PD.
•Ei = fE0 – Eq ,
total field inside the cavity
That is why we have negative PD during
positive applied voltage and viceversa

Less simplistic PD description
Let’s take into account the charge diffusion and recombination =>
the local field Eq decreases between PD events
Consequences: we have PD even after 90° and 270°, all PD still

have the same amplitude.

Still less simplistic PD description
We now assume also that we have not an infinite electronic
availability => stochastic behaviour of electron injection =>
PD incept at Ei >Einc => PD occur randomly
2 Before
∆Eq=Einc-Eres
1.5
QPD Now
1 ∆Eq=Ei-Eres
E0
0.5 Eq ∆Eq is now variable
(generally higher)
0 Ei
qPD = k * ∆Eq
-0.5
End of the
-1 equations, up to
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Electric angle (rad) now
Consequences: stochastic behaviour of PD, PD with different

amplitudes

The concept of PD pattern
• The information conveyed by a single PD event is often
synthesized in just three numbers:
– Phase (in relation with the AC supply)

– Amplitude
– Number of discharges per period
of the applied voltage (Repetition rate).
• PD are random events.
• We need to evaluate some statistical indicator to draw

information from this process.
• In general, the PD pattern is evaluated to compress the

information.
From time-resolved PD acquisition to PD pattern
1
0.8
0.6
1st PD: ϕ=45°, q=0.4 3rd PD: ϕ=45°, q=0.4
0.4
0.2
0
-0.2
-0.4
-0.6
2nd PD: ϕ=225°, q=-0.6
-0.8
-1
0 45 90 135 180 225 270 315 360 405 450 495 540 585 630 675 720
Electric angle (deg)
1
0.8
0.6
0.4 Pattern color code
0.2
0 0 discharges
-0.2
-0.4 1 discharge
-0.6
-0.8
2 discharges
-1
0 45 90 135 180 225 270 315 360
Electric angle (deg)

• The PD pattern represents
the density of discharges 40
in the phase/magnitude
currence
30
plane.
Frequency of oc
20
10 240
220
• It is a 3D histogram 200
l
180
ne
160
an
140
ch
120
240220 100
e
as
200180 80
Ph
160 60
140 120 40
100
80 60
Magn 20
itude 40 20
chan
• Usually it is represented nel
through a color map
The polarity of
PD pulses is also
considered in the
pattern

Information conveyed through
the PD pattern
The PD pattern help us in distinguishing the different types of phenomena occurring
in a high voltage system
There are different kinds of discharges, some are harmful some are not.
Internal PD Surface discharge Corona discharges
can eventually trigger can induce insulation originated in the HV
electrical treeing tracking connections are not
harmful
HV
HV
HV

Examples of internal PD (laboratory test)
Spheric void in epoxy Spheric void in epoxy

(low overvoltage) (low overvoltage)
Spheric void in epoxy Spheric void in epoxy

(high overvoltage) (high overvoltage)
Examples of internal PD (measured on line)
Slot discharges Distributed microvoids
Embedded delamination in a rotating Conductor side delamination in a

machine winding rotating machine winding

Examples of surface PD
Surface PD on cable termination Surface PD on cable termination
Surface PD on stress grading

system in a VPI rotating machine
with taped grading system
Examples of corona PD
Needle on high voltage electrode Needle on high voltage electrode

(low overvoltage) (low overvoltage)
Needle on high voltage electrode Needle on high voltage electrode

(large overvoltage) (large overvoltage)
Linguistic attributes of PD phenomena
Description of the PD pattern
• Internal PD
– Symmetric (in most cases)
– PD markedly incept before zero-crossing (as applied voltage increases)
– PD magnitudes show a moderate dispersion
• Surface PD
– In most cases symmetric pattern, but asymmetric cases are also possible
– PD magnitudes show a large dispersion
– In most cases, PD start after the voltage zero-crossing
• Corona PD
– Markedly asymmetric, often unipolar
– Very large repetition rates
– PD magnitudes with almost no dispersion (min and max PD levels almost
identical)
– At high overvoltage, almost uniform phase
distribution for negative PD

Description of the PD pattern
• Sometimes, when the overvoltage is low, is difficult to

separate the different phenomena
– Particularly separation between surface and internal
can be critical
• When possible (offline tests) track the behaviour of PD

as a function of applied voltage
• During monitoring, as degradation progresses, things get

generally clearer

Dependence on ambient conditions
• Internal PD
– Not affected by ambient conditions, they can change in the first
minutes of the test (formation of conductive droplets on cavity
surfaces)
• Surface PD
– Affected by ambient conditions, particularly by humidity
• Corona PD
– Affected by ambient conditions, particularly by wind speed

Issues related to PD measurements
• Rejection of:
– Noise (background noise)
– External disturbance or PD (corona, PD on external surface of
insulators, PD in HV connections, PD in other systems nearby)
• Separation of:
– Noise
– Disturbance
– Multiple PD activities (different activities within the equipment
under test, e.g. slot discharges + end winding discharges in
rotating machines)
• Identification of PD phenomena (identify nature and

characteristics of PD activities)
• Risk assessment (evaluate the danger related to a
given PD phenomenon)
Diagnostic procedure
PD recognition is the prerequisite for correct

diagnosis
Separation Identification Diagnosis
S I D
• Noise rejection • Potential defect • Risk assessment
..harmfulness
• Source separation • Maintenance program
..(one source at a ..
.. time) • Life extension (trend of the
weakest spots,.time to end point)

Separation
Innovative diagnostics by means of PD measurements: System Layout
Real Signal Hardware
UWB Digitizer
A
Sensor Electric to Optic signal
P
Output
Input
T Media converter
W
Ti
Software
Fibre Optic link
Data Storage

Separation
Innovative diagnostics by means of PD measurements: Data Flow
Entire Pattern
#1
T T
Feature Pulse
#2
extraction Class.
Data storage
(file)
F F
sub-pattern #1
T
Noise Rejection sub-pattern #2
PD Identification
F
Classification by T-F mapping
Each acquired pulse is represented with 2 parameters
T Normalization of the pulse

Slow pulses L
s (t ) = s(t ) /
~
∫ s(τ ) dτ
2
Fast pulses
 L
 t 0 = ∫ t~s (t )2 d t
  0
 L

 T = ∫ (t − t 0 ) s (t ) d t
2~ 2
  0
 ∞
 2 ~
( )
2
 F = ∫ f S f df
 0
S(f) is the Fourier transform of s

F L = time length of the pulse

Example of data processing #1
• Classification and Separation
Entire PD pattern T-F Map
A B
Sub-pattern A Sub-pattern B
Waveform A Waveform B

Example of data processing #2
• Sensitivity increase
• PD acquisition in correspondence of a 220kV cable joint
• Apparently no PD are detected
• There are 2 cluster in the T-F map…
Red Cluster, characterized by high frequency pulses

Sub-Pattern Waveform
There is something below the noise!!
PD discovered below the noise level

Tree-like identification of PD
(based on fuzzy logic)
3rd level (leaves):

apparatus specific defects
2nd level (branches):

characteristics of PD in internal voids (HV/LV electrode,
treeing)
1st level (root):

basic PD categories (internal, surface, corona)

Question Time

Part II:
Theory and procedure of Partial
Discharges measurements
•“abc” circuit and its consequences
•Measurement circuits
•Sensors for PD detection
•Sensor for synchronization
•Procedure

“abc” circuit and its consequences
EUT: Equipment
• Every EUT (Equipment Under Under Test
Test) or its defected part can be
drawn as a simple circuit reported b
below. a
c
• Reference is generally made to the
so-called “abc” circuit:
– c=capacitance of the cavity

– b=capacitance of the dielectric in series b
with the cavity
– a=capacitance of the remaining part of the a
insulation system
c
a >> b c >> b

• Analysis method:
1. Assume the EUT (Equipment Under Test) equivalent to an “abc”
circuit charged by a (DC) voltage generator with very large internal
impedance.
2. An electrostatic equilibrium exists prior PD
3. Since the current from the generator flows at a very low rate (if
compared with pulses with 100-200 ns time length) we consider
the generator branch as an open circuit
4. Assuming the generator branch as an open circuit, a new

electrostatic equilibrium needs be established after PD occurrence
5. The current from the generator, slowly, re-establish the former

electrostatic equilibrium

Prior PD PD occurs
The series of c and b is A voltage imbalance in the a-b loop

subjected to applied voltage V. is created. Assuming voltages on a
The abc loop voltage is and b unchanged and c short
balanced. circuited (by the PD):
S
b Vb=V-Vc b Vb=V-Vc
V V
a a
c c PD
Vc
Vc
Charge on b and c Vb=V-Vc ≠V (Vc is small, but not 0)
Qb=Qc≅b⋅Vb The generator branch as an open
circuit (during PD transient).
Total charge in S The total charge on a and b must
Q=a⋅V+ b⋅(V-Vc) redistribute to eliminate imbalance.
Extinction of PD
The Kirchoff’s voltage law is (temporarily) re-established reaching a

new electrostatic equilibrium
The voltage at EUT terminals drops of an amount ∆V, but the charge Q
prior and after PD remains unchanged:
Q = a ⋅ V + b ⋅(V − Vc ) = a ⋅(V − ∆V ) + b ⋅(V − ∆V )

Prior PD After PD
If we manipulate slightly this last

V-∆V Q
b V-∆V equation we get
a
b ⋅ Vc = (a + b ) ⋅ ∆V

• As a consequence of last equation the voltage drop ∆V at EUT due

to the PD can be achieved by removing from the EUT terminals
(total capacitance ∼ a+b) the amount of charge:
qapp = (a + b ) ⋅ ∆V ≡ bVc << cVc = q PD

• This amount of charge is termed “apparent charge”, and is much
lower than the true PD charge (b<<c).
• By measuring at EUT terminal, we can only achieve the apparent

charge.
• Thus, we (generally) underestimate true PD charges
• NOTE: It is practically impossible to measure ∆V (is inside the

EUT, so in not accessible)

One more device, the coupling capacitor
(Ck) is needed to force PD current outside
the EUT.
EUT
Ck acts as the main EUT
b
capacitance, a, but it is an
external physical component
a
(it is possible to measure the Ck c
current flowing through it)

qapp = bVc = (a + Ck + b ) ⋅ ∆V
We repeat the previous analysis,
results are formally equivalent:
The apparent charge (bVc) is not affected

Unless a capacitor with 1

capacitance much larger than the 0.9
EUT is connected in parallel with 0.8
0.7
the EUT itself, we further
qk/qapp
0.6
underestimate PD charge. 0.5
0.4
When a=Ck we get 50% of qapp 0.3
0.2
0.1
0
0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10
Ck/a
Capacitances (typical values):
HV cable: hundreds of nF/km
Rotating machine: hundreds of nF – some uF
HV/MV transformer: hundreds of pF

• We do not measure the true PD charge, we measure the

apparent charge, instead.
– Apparent charge is much lower than PD charge

Underestimation increases as the thickness of the insulation
increases
– Underestimation is stronger if Ck is not sufficiently large
• Propagation issues may further reduce the recorded

charge!

How to measure PD according to
IEC 60270: operative procedure
• Target of this procedure is to provide an estimate of the

PD apparent charge it is possible by the follow steps
– Estimate (reconstruct) PD pulse DC component, normally

removed by
• High-pass characteristics of couplers
• Filters aimed at suppressing harmonics from the HV source
– Calibration, to correlate mV to pC

IEC 60270: operative procedure
• PD pulse DC component not available due to coupler
characteristic or filters.
Response of QI filter:
– We need to reconstruct it! affected by PD pulse
waveform

IEC 60270: Calibration
QCAL Calibrator
EUT
Peak Quasi
VCAL detector integrator
HV source
HV
EUT
Peak Quasi
VPD detector integrator
k= QCAL /VCAL qAPP=k*VPD

IEC 60270: Digital approach using UWB instruments
Two different 10pC pulses, from two different calibrators.
A
0.020 11
10
0.015 8
0.010 6
4
0.005
Hardware/software 2
0.000 0
filter -2
-0.005
-4
-0.010 -6
-0.015 -8
-10
-0.020 -11
0.0 100.0n 300.0n 500.0n 700.0n 900.0n 1.0u 0.0 2.0u 4.0u 6.0u 8.0u 10.0u
Pulse shape
information is not lost
B ONLY using software
0.010 11
10
filter
0.008
8
0.006
6
0.004
Hardware/software 4
0.002 2
0.000
filter 0
-0.002 -2
-4
-0.004
-6
-0.006
-8
-0.008
-10
-0.010 -11
0.0 100.0n 300.0n 500.0n 700.0n 900.0n 1.0u 0.0 2.0u 4.0u 6.0u 8.0u 10.0u

IEC 60270: Choosing the right filter
• We do have three basic types of systems
(depending on filter characteristics):
• Wide band systems

30 kHz ≤ lower limit frequency ≤ 100 kHz
upper limit frequency ≤ 500 kHz
100 kHz ≤ bandwidth ≤ 400 kHz
• Narrow band systems

9 kHz ≤ bandwidth ≤ 30 kHz
100 kHz ≤ midband frequency ≤ 400 kHz
• Ultra Wide Band (UWB)

No recommendations given in IEC 60270
PD measurement innovation
Digital approach using UWB instruments
• With new technologies, ultra-wide band (UWB) systems

can be used
• The procedure is:
– Record and sample PD pulses with a sufficient bandwidth and

an adequate sampling rate.
– Perform apparent charge measurement by simulating via

software tools the quasi-integrator transfer function.

IEC 60270: Digital approach using UWB instruments
• UWB detection allows separation of different activities to be

achieved (including noise rejection)
• UWB are more affected by attenuation and dispersion (high

frequency components are attenuated and distorted by distributed
parameter systems)
• In high sensitivity systems (e.g. capacitive coupling and taps) UWB

can detect signals that are covered by broadcasting noise if
detected in the IEC band (UWB larger sensitivity).
• In practical systems:
Max PD Pulse spectral density: 1 - 5 MHz

Applying IEC 60270 to
distributed parameters networks
• In distributed parameter networks PD pulse can occur far away from the sensor, where
the calibrator pulse is normally injected
• Attenuation reduces PD pulse energy
• At the sensor, a large PD pulse can be mistaken for a PD pulse of much lower
amplitude
• Thus, its charge can be remarkably underestimated
• Apparent charge is not important (and has no physical meaning) in several apparatus
(cables, rotating machines, transformers)
• Sometimes harmful phenomena have lower magnitude than less important ones
(e.g. internal PD in an accessory vs surface PD on the terminal)
PD pulse Calibration pulse
Calibrator
Cable or winding PD signal

Applying 60270 to distrib. param.
networks? That is wrong!
• In distributed parameter networks:

– calibration
– apparent charge in pC No physical meaning
should be replaced by
– sensitivity check
Customer/manufacturer
– mV agreement
• Sensitivity check has the purpose of demonstrating the

sensitivity of the detection apparatus.

Applying 60270 to distrib. param.
networks? That is wrong!
• Sensitivity check procedure
1. Agree on a pulse generator (rise time is important in winding

sensitivity check, since resonances can be excited or not)
2. Establish a dummy load (generally, a capacitor having a low

frequency capacitance close to that of the test object)
3. Inject a pulse in the dummy load

• Pulse must have an agreed charge/dummy load
capacitance ratio (e.g., 1mV=1pC/1nF)
4. Check if the detection system is able to detect the calibrator

pulse

Question Time

The Two Types of Measurement Circuits
EUT
Coupling
Capacitor
Direct
circuit Indirect
circuit

Direct Circuit
EUT
Coupling
Capacitor
Direct
circuit

Indirect Circuit
EUT
Coupling
Capacitor
Indirect
circuit

Sensors for PD Signal detection and
synchronization

• Sensors for PD detection (wide/narrow bandwidth)
– Coupling capacitor
– Quadrupole (PQ)
– Inductive sensors: High Frequency Current Transformer (HFCT)
– Antenna sensor
• Sensor for synchronization

– External signal coming from line or machine VT
– Resistive divider
– Capacitive divider (also as PD sensor)
– Inductive: rogowsky coils
PDCheck requirements
Min syncro voltage 1V
Max synchro voltage 200 V
Channel impedance 10 MΩ
Frequency range 0.1÷1000 Hz

Sensors for PD Signal

Capacitive coupler
• Epoxy-mica capacitor (1000 pF capacitance)
• Explicitly designed for on/off line PD tests on rotating machines, for
both spot measurements and monitoring applications (it can be
permanently installed).
• Can withstand AC and DC hipot tests
• From the coupler, both PD and synchronization signals can be derived
through a TechImp PQ sensor (described in the following).

Capacitive coupler
• Techimp coupler is provided by a BNC termination to
connect to the PDBase through a coaxial cable.
• The BNC pin outer pole needs to be earthed through
a proper impedance in order to:
•avoid that Vout is higher than the maximum
allowable output voltage
•achieve the desired ratio Vout/Vin at industrial
frequency (RMS voltage measurement and
synchronization)
• Possible impedances:
• Low voltage 1 kΩ resistor
• Low voltage 1 µF capacitor (Vout/Vin=1/1000 if
CC= 1 nF),.

Coupler: PQ accessory
Coupling
Capacitor (CC)
LPF Synchro Signal
(V out synchro )
Test Voltage
(V in )
HPF PD Signal
(V out PD )
TechImp PQ is a quadrupole suitable for tests on site and in factory.

It provides
• synchronization
• PD signal
when connected to the HV circuit through an external HV coupling capacitor (Cc),
e.g.:
• joint capacitive tap
• condenser bushing capacitive tap
• capacitive coupler
The signal coming from the sensor is filtered through

• a low pass filter, providing the synchronization signal;
• a high pass filter providing the PD signal (test voltage rejection).
Note: test voltage attenuation may vary according to the test voltage frequency.
Capacitive divider
• TechImp Capacitive Divider is a coupler suitable for PD
measurements during 50/60 Hz offline tests.
• The coupling capacitor is PD free (<1pC, 40kV, 50-60Hz).
• By means of an internal coupling capacitor (Cc), it provides

both synchronization and PD signal.
– Sync. signal: filtered through a Low Pass Filter
– PD signal: filtered through a High Pass Filter.
Specifications
Test Voltage
(HV)
High Pass cut
Nominal Phase shift High voltage for 1V Maximum allowed
frequency 50 Hz Attenuation
Capacitance (Cc) (Synchro out vs in) Synchro out input voltage
(-6dB)
Cc
<1° 50kV >120 dB
1 nF±1% 1.1 kV 105 kHz
(50-60 Hz) (50-60 Hz) (50-60 Hz)
HPF PD Signal
Dimensions:
LPF
Φ max 140 mm
Synchro
nization H max 400 mm

HF Current Transformer
• TechImp Clamp High Frequency Current

Transformer is an inductive sensor for PD
measurements.
• Suitable for on/off line PD tests on many
electrical systems (cables, transformers,
rotating machine, etc..).
• Main advantage: it can be clamped directly
on the ground connection of the system
• A BNC termination is available to connect the
Clamp the TechImp PD detection unit through
a coaxial cable.
• The arrow indicates the output voltage (Vout)
direction in comparison with the input current
(Iin) direction: when the sensor is installed with
the arrow directed to ground, the detected
voltage signal (Vout) has the same phase as
the input current (Iin).

HFCT: applications
The HFCT can be applied on:
• HV cables:
• connected around the ground link in correspondence
of terminations and joints.
- All the PD phenomena can be detected: corona, surface, internal.
• MV cables:
• connected around the ground link in correspondence of terminations,
• connected directly around the screened cable (NOT where there is no screen, i.e.
terminations).
• Electrical device provided with an accessible ground link (rotating machines, power
transformer, measurement transformer, …):
• connected around the ground link.
- All the PD phenomena can be detected but the sensitivity is much lower than using
capacitive taps or capacitive divider.
• Bushings and cable joints provided by capacitive taps:
• connected in the shortcut of the capacitive tap (usually to perform monitoring or
permanent monitoring).

HFCT: advantages/disadvantages
Advantages:
• good sensitivity,
• very large bandwidth (1÷50 MHz), customized HFCT are now available with IEC
band included (0.1÷50 MHz),
• good immunity to high frequency disturbances,
• it can be connected directly around a MV cable,
• in case of breakdown of the electrical system, the induced 50/60 Hz is not
harmful for the acquisition system.
Disadvantages:
• It can be installed off-line in mostly cases,
• a ground link is required.

Sensors for synchronization

Rogowsky Coil
For synchronization only
• Can be installed around:

– Supply cable phase shift
between synchronization signal and
line voltage (current is not in phase
with voltage) usually negligible
– Ground lead of the cable
capacitive current synchronization
signal is 90° anticipated with respect
to line voltage

Coupling capacitor and Capacitive divider
Capacitive divider and Coupling capacitor, associated to the quadrupole, can be
use to synchronize the ThechImp acquisition system.
Capacitive divider Coupling capacitor and quadrupole

220/12 V transformer
This transformer can be used for online measurement to synchronize the TechImp
acquisition system when there is no possibility to catch signal in a different way.
There is no reference phase!

Synchronization and phase shifting
How PDCheck software handle phase shifts?
Measured pattern
(V) 2.50 (V) 2.50
2.00 2.00
Positive (+90°) phase
1.00 1.00
shift in the software:
0.00 0.00
-1.00 -1.00
PD are shifted in 90° in
-2.00 -2.00
-2.50
0 45 90 135 180 225 270 315 360
-2.50 advance (the pattern is
0 45 90 135 180 225 270 315 360
Phase (deg) Phase (deg) shifted backwards)
Action: advance pattern
(V) 2.50
2.00
1.00
0.00
-1.00
-2.00
90°
-2.50
0 45 90 135 180 225 270 315 360
Phase (deg)

How PDCheck software handle phase shifts?
VSYNCHRONIZATION
• The value of phase shift
should match the phase
advance between the ϕ
synchronization signal
and the voltage applied
to the equipment under
VEUT
test (EUT).
• Phase shift = ϕ

Case 1: three phase measurement and synchro
signal in phase with one of the test voltage
• Synchronization voltage in VR=VSync =
phase with voltage in phase R sync. voltage
120°
• Phase shift = 0 for the
channel relevant to phase R VT VS
240°
channel relevant to phase S

channel relevant to phase T

Case 2: three phase measurement and synchro
signal in phase with capacitive current of 1 phase
VR
• Synchronization voltage picked up
from rogowski coil around the
ground link of phase R (capacitive VSync 120°
current, anticipum 90°)
VT VS
• Phase shift = 90° for the channel
relevant to phase R 240°
• Phase shift = 120+90=210° for

the channel relevant to phase T
• Phase shift = 240+90=330° for

the channel relevant to phase S
PD measurement procedure summary
• Choice of correct PD and synchronization sensors (on-

line/off-line meas.)
– Check of the min and max voltage to be provided to PDCheck
• Measurement circuit set-up (direct or indirect)
• For each channel of PDCheck, adjust the software

acquisition parameters:
– Working directory
– file name
– phase shifting from synchro signal
– ...

• Perform a probing session to evaluate the background

noise (if possible, no voltage applied)
– use the pulse spectrum analysis tool of PDCheck acquisition
program
• Choose the appropriate filters to reduce noise if

necessary
• Do at least an acquisition of the base noise after filtering

(including pulse waveform acquisition)

• If needed, perform signal calibration (mVpC) injecting the

calibration pulse in parallel to the test object, starting from the
largest amplitude range (100pC) down to the smallest amplitude that
can be detected by PDCheck
• Adjust the software acquisition parameters again if needed (file

name, number of pulse to acquire, acquisition time, phase shift …)
• Start the PD measurement session rising the applied high voltage

• Record the machine function parameters (i.e. load, windings
temperature, power factor, ….) during the PD test.
• Adjust the probing parameters (timelength, fullscale, trigger, pre-
trigger) in order to correctly visualize the PD pulse in the probing
window.
• Check the correct synchronization of the PD pattern
• Do several PD acquisition varying probing parameters (especially
fullscale and trigger value) looking at the PD phenomenon evolution
during test time.
• If needed change also acquisition parameters (number of acquired
pulses, acquisition time, etc.). Remember to perform at least one
waveform acquisition (i.e. An acquisition including PD waveforms).
• Perform the same procedure on the different phases of the test
object.

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Training Course

Partial Discharge Diagnosis

ENDESA TRAINING COURSE TECHIMP

TECHIMP SPA is an academic spin off of the University of Bologna

Professors and former students

Provide innovation in the field of

ENDESA TRAINING COURSE TECHIMP

TechImp SUR Sa, Buenos Aires

TechImp Beijing Ltd., Beijing

Services for the Energy Products

Services for the Diagnosis of

ENDESA TRAINING COURSE TECHIMP

•A little bit of physics (internal PD)

•The concept of PD pattern

ENDESA TRAINING COURSE TECHIMP

• PD normally develop in air gaps or on insulation surfaces

ENDESA TRAINING COURSE TECHIMP

• Three basic types of PD

ENDESA TRAINING COURSE TECHIMP

• Field enhancement at defect site

• What happens during a PD?

ENDESA TRAINING COURSE TECHIMP

• Thus, cavities are characterized by:

– a larger field (in general) than the field inside the

– lower electrical strength than the dielectric

• Discharges can occur in cavities without breaking the

• That is why we have, partial discharges

ENDESA TRAINING COURSE TECHIMP

• f depends on the shape of

prolate oblate general

ENDESA TRAINING COURSE TECHIMP

If the field is sufficient to give to the

ENDESA TRAINING COURSE TECHIMP

• A free electron is available in the gas inside the void.

• Mechanisms that allow a free electron inside the gas:

• The external field, fE0, exceeds the inception field, Einc.

• The free electron, accelerated by electric field, can trigger

ENDESA TRAINING COURSE TECHIMP

- Positive ions to the

ENDESA TRAINING COURSE TECHIMP

This charge distribution

The local field has opposite E0

Thus, the local field reduces

ENDESA TRAINING COURSE TECHIMP

• A minimum field is required to sustain the avalanche.

• The PD stops when the internal field, Ei is equals the

ENDESA TRAINING COURSE TECHIMP

We define: ∆Eq=fE0-Eres Ei≡Eres

The charge due to the PD (qPD)

•Eq, local field,

ENDESA TRAINING COURSE TECHIMP

Consequences: we have PD even after 90° and 270°, all PD still

ENDESA TRAINING COURSE TECHIMP

Consequences: stochastic behaviour of PD, PD with different

ENDESA TRAINING COURSE TECHIMP

– Phase (in relation with the AC supply)

• PD are random events.

• We need to evaluate some statistical indicator to draw

• In general, the PD pattern is evaluated to compress the

ENDESA TRAINING COURSE TECHIMP

through a color map

ENDESA TRAINING COURSE TECHIMP

ENDESA TRAINING COURSE TECHIMP

Spheric void in epoxy Spheric void in epoxy