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Guidelines for partial discharge detection using conventional (IEC60270) and

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Guidelines for partial discharge detection using
conventional (IEC 60270) and unconventional
methods
Members
E. Gulski, Convenor (CH), W. Koltunowicz, Secretary (AT),
T. Ariaans (NL), G. Behrmann (CH), R. Jongen (CH), F. Garnacho (ES),
S. Kornhuber (DE), S. Ohtsuka (JP),
F. Petzold (DE), M. Sanchez-Uran (ES), K. Siodla (PL), S. Tenbohlen (DE)
Introduction
Partial Discharge (PD) detection belongs to fundamental
measurements applied to check the quality of high voltage
(HV) insulation systems.
As a result, PD measurement has become a worldwide-
accepted method for insulation diagnosis and a required part
of the acceptance testing for many types of HV equipment.
Due to on-going development of their application in both
laboratory and field conditions, there is a continuing need
to support this process with guidelines for PD detection and
testing which describe both new and established methods.
Based on the absence or presence of PD activity caused by
insulation defects discharging during routine tests, on-site
tests, or periodic in-service inspections throughout the
equipment service life-time, conclusions can be drawn about
the actual condition of the dielectric insulation system.
To improve the sensitivity of PD measurements, different
techniques/methods have been developed and are in use
for both laboratory and on-site applications. All these
methods can be divided into conventional and so-called
unconventional PD measurement methods.
In ‘conventional’ PD measurement, the magnitude of
the partial discharge event is expressed in units of apparent
charge, typically in picoCoulomb. It is the integrated current
pulse, caused by a PD, which propagates through a defined
test circuit in which the device under test is embedded. The
conventional method allows a precise calibration, but also
requires a sufficient signal-to-noise ratio in the measurement
circuit to enable discriminating the PD in question from
the background noise. The standardized method of the
IEC-60270 standard and the AC voltage test conditions are
well established for factory and laboratory testing, but is
WG D1.37
technical brochure 662
often not appropriate for on-site testing. In the case of field-
testing where very high background noise levels are present,
or e.g. where localization of the PD source is necessary in
distributed test objects, unconventional methods with high
signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) capabilities are the best way to
obtain meaningful measurements.
These unconventional PD measuring methods and
systems can detect the PD signals using different physical
characteristics and properties of the PD processes. In general,
electric methods are based on the measurements of electrical
signals in the radio frequencies (RF) ranges e.g. high
frequency (HF), very high frequency (VHF) and ultra high
frequency (UHF).
Several unconventional PD detection methods based on
acoustic and electromagnetic properties of PD signals have
been in use for several years for detecting PD in power cables,
transformers, GIS, and generators. Until now, no accepted
procedures and guidelines have been available for these
unconventional PD measurement methods, as has been the
case for conventional methods for several decades. There are
many open issues concerning unconventional PD methods
including: calibration or sensitivity verification procedures,
techniques for noise suppression, and methods of fault
location, etc.
The authors of this TB guide believe that now is the time to
publish the state-of-the art in the field of PD measurements
with conventional and unconventional methods.
Scope
In 2010 the CIGRE TB 444 “Guidelines for Unconventional
Partial Discharge Measurements“, prepared by WG D1.33,
was published. Following these studies, this TB continues
the discussion on the application of conventional and
unconventional partial discharge detection methods. In •••
No. 288 - October 2016 ELECTRA 25

particular, the individual chapters of this brochure discuss
various aspects of PD detection in relation to different types
of HV equipment by means of practical examples (case
studies) in both laboratory and field application:
 Methods to correlate conventional (IEC60270) PD
detection in units of charge (pC) to unconventional
methods giving instrument readings (received signal
level);
 Evaluation of PD measurements performed on different
HV equipment with case studies of best-praxis methods;
 Effects of advanced noise suppression, separation and
signal processing techniques on the PD reading(s)
sensitivity;
 Methods/procedures to determine the sensor sensitivity.
The present guide gives recommendations for effective
application of unconventional methods for testing of high
voltage equipment including gas insulated substations, power
cables, and transformers, with ‘best practice’ solutions being
discussed and explained for actual on-site measurement
cases.
Description of the TB
The Technical Brochure comprises of four chapters and an
extensive list of references for further reading.
In Chapter 1, the general aspects and background
information about conventional and unconventional PD
detection methods applied to different power components
are presented. The advantages and disadvantages of both
conventional and unconventional PD measurements are
shown in Table 1.
The next three chapters describe the application of PD
measurements to gas insulated substations, power cables
and power transformers. Each chapter is structured in a
similar way and contains description of typical PD sources
WG D1.37
technical brochure 662
or defects, explains the limits of conventional PD detection,
and describes the application of different unconventional
methods in several practical field case studies.
In particular:
 In Chapter 2, PD defects typical for GIS and their PD
pulse characteristics are evaluated for conventional and
unconventional detection methods;
 In Chapter 3, specific aspects of using different PD
detection methods as well as interpretation techniques
for power cable systems are described. In the case
of unconventional detection methods, solutions are
shown to demonstrate the importance of sensitivity and
performance checks;
 In Chapter 4, PD detection as applied for power
transformers is discussed in the scope of PD pulse
shape, signal attenuation, the sensitivity of using UHF
sensors. In addition, a small section covering acoustic PD
detection has been included.
Finally, an extensive reference list is included which
provides an overview of the most recent and relevant
international publications in the field.
Conclusions
As the conventional PD measuring systems (IEC 60270) that
are successfully used in the controlled factory environment
are not always applicable for on-site, unconventional PD
detection and measurement methods based on acoustic and
electromagnetic phenomenon are proposed. The numerous
case studies of their application to gas insulated substation,
power cables and power transformers answer pending
questions related to calibration procedures, sensitivity and/
or performance checks for these methods. The TB gives
guidelines and recommendations for the proper application
of unconventional PD detection methods in order to ensure
reproducible and comparable PD measurements on high
voltage equipment for every user throughout the industry.

Table 1: Advantages and disadvantages of conventional and unconventional PD methods

Conventional PD measurements (IEC 60270) Unconventional PD measurements

Advantages
1. Calibrated readings of
apparent charge value in
[pC] Well-known method
since 1960s
2. Reference PRPD patterns
are widely available
for different discharge
defects and for different
components
3. Standardized procedures for
type-, factory- and on-site
tests
Disadvantages
1. EMI (electromagnetic
interference) makes on-site
application difficult
2. Size and complexity of the
object influence the sensitivity
of the measurements.
3. Localization of the PD source
not possible
4. In the case of large (distributed)
test object there is strong
influence of defect position on
measured PD value
5. Reduced sensitivity in the case
that the coupling capacitor
capacitance is low compared to
that of test object
Advantages
1. Better rejection of EMI
on-site
2. Distributed measurements
and synchronous PRPD
pattern evaluation possible
3. In most cases applicable for
on-line monitoring
4. PRPD patterns very similar
to those obtained with
conventional measurements
Disadvantages
1. Calibrated readings of apparent
charge value in [pC] not possible
2. Standardized testing procedure not
available for all components
3. Strong influence of defect position
on measured PD value, in particular
for measurements in the VHF and
UHF frequency ranges
4. Minimum number of sensors
necessary to fulfil the CIGRE
sensitivity recommendation
•••

No. 288 - October 2016 ELECTRA 27

 tabp27.pdf 1 03/10/16 08:58
Conventional PD measurements (IEC 60270)
Advantages Disadvantages
Transformers:
a) Apparent charge levels not
sufficient for diagnostic
purposes
b) Difficult application for
transformer bushing without
measuring tap
Power Cables:
a) EM interference dependent
on type of HV source used
on-site
b) PD measurement in long cable
requires measurements at both
cable ends
GIS:
Sufficient on-site PD
sensitivity fulfilled only with
encapsulated voltage test
set-ups (typically for GIS of
lower voltage ratings)
BROCHURE N° 662
(en anglais seulement)
(in English only)
Disponible sur / Available on:
www.e-cigre.org
Prix non-Membres / Non-Member Price:
220 e
Purchase (non-members)
Free download (members)
View publication stats
Unconventional PD measurements
Advantages
HF measurement for cables
(use of coupling capacitors and coupling capacitors and HF coupling
HF coupling devices):
a) Applicable off-line
b) Localization of PD source
possible on complete power
cables using Time Domain
Reflectometry (TDR)
HF/VHF measurement
(use of HFCTs):
a) Applicable on-line and off-
line
b) Sensors can be installed
during operation
c) PD localization possible on
cable accessories
UHF measurement
(Transformers, GIS):
a) High signal-to-noise ratio
possible
b) Widely accepted for GIS
testing & monitoring
c) UHF sensor can be installed
online for transformers
Acoustic measurement
(Transformers, GIS):
a) Applicable on-line and
off-line
b) Used for PD source
locali-zation on
transformers
c) On GIS used for PD source
localization and PD defect
recognition; no restriction
on sensor positioning
WG D1.37
technical brochure 662
Disadvantages
HF measurement for cables (use of
devices):
a) Not applicable on-line
b) PD measurement in long cable
requires measurements at both
cable ends
HF/VHF measurement
(use of HFCTs):
a) Sensitivity and possibility
of localization depends on
measurement frequency selection
b) Sensor installation not always
possible
c) PD localization in cable accessories
only possible if the sensor can be
installed
d) Type and position of the sensor
influences the sensitivity
e) Comparison of measurements with
different detection systems not
possible
UHF measurement
(Transformers, GIS):
a) Standardized procedure for
acceptance test and sensitivity
check available for GIS only
b) Pre-installed internal sensors are
common practice for GIS
c) External sensors can sometimes be
applied for GIS, but have limited
sensitivity to PD and higher
susceptibility to external EMI
d) Signal processing necessary for
noise suppression
Acoustic measurement
(Transformers, GIS):
a) Limited sensitivity (except on GIS)

No. 288 - October 2016 ELECTRA 29