Interpretation 

Guideline for Online Partial Discharge of 
Power Generators & Motors
 Contents
Introduction
 Typical Configuration of Power Generator and Distribution System
 On line Partial Discharge (PD) Applications
 Typical Installation of PD on Power Generator 
 On line PD and DGA Configuration
 Insulation failure Contributing Factors
 Power Generator and Motor Generic Failure Symptom 
Technical Analysis and Interpretation Guides
 Online PD Readings
 The way to analyze PD
 Analysis of PD from the trending
 Statistical analysis of PD
 Possible of Insulation Problems
 Pulse Height Analysis (PHA)
 PD Characteristic – Operating Condition
 Insulation failure in the Terminal Box

Footnotes
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Typical Configuration of Power Generation and
Distribution
Due to the nature of operational
and shutdown timing, Equipment
G G G
are not necessary available
Power Generators for proper maintenance access.

Switchgear

EDG

Transformers

Essential
Loads
M M
Motors
Typical Configuration of Power Generation and Distribution
POWER GENERATORS:
TREAT PLANT PROLONGED
N + 1 Sparing Philosophy
OUTAGES /
More than 1 unit unhealthy LOSS PRODUCTION
Long lead time repair / purchase

MOTORS and TRANSFORMERS
Redundancy Units TREAT PLANT PROLONGED
Simultaneous unhealthy units OUTAGES /
Long lead time repair / purchase LOSS PRODUCTION

FACT SHEET:
Un-anticipated MV Motor failure  2 times on Belanak LP Compressor
motors failure in 2010 and 2011,
LPO 98,000 BOE approx.
 Belanak Power generator TG-C
Cable lead discharge.

Potential prolonged outage is not acceptable,

need precise and proactive anticipation
 Require Online condition monitoring system
On Line Partial Discharge Application
Partial Discharge test is considered the most representative readings for condition 
monitoring since directly detect the nature of insulation partial discharge.
The assessment can be combined with other testing such as Insulation Resistance, 
Polarity Index, Hi‐Pot, and Tan‐d/tip‐up.
Partial Discharge Detection Methods (Ref. IEEE std 1434):
1. Electrical Pulse Sensing
a. Through Capacitor coupling
b. Through Coil RTD’s.
c. Through HFCT’s
2. RF Radiation Sensing
3. Power Factor Tip‐up
4. Energy charge transfer
5. Ozone Detection
6. Acoustic and Ultrasonic detection
7. Black‐out test

On-Line Partial discharge techniques to be used :

Electrical Pulse Sensing method through capacitor coupling
• Widely used in the market world wide.
• Consider proven technique.
Typical Installation for Generator ON-LINE PD
ON-LINE PD and DGA Configuration

OSI-PI

Generator’s Transformer’s
Partial Discharge Dissolve Gas Analysis
ONLINE PARTIAL DISCHARGE : GENERATORS & MOTORS

INSULATION FAILURE
CONTRIBUTING FACTORS :
• Voltage Stress
• Thermal Stress
Insulation Layers
• Environmental Stress
• Mechanical Stress

Insulation Layers
Not only Insulation Resistance Parameter
that conventionally measured

Insulation Breakdown
Other Required Readings:
C, tan d, Q, Hipot (Insulation
Diagnostic)
 NOT Practical for routine
ONLINE PD
More representative to
diagnose and anticipate
failure symptoms.
ONLINE PARTIAL DISCHARGE : GENERATORS & MOTORS

BELANAK LP-B Compressor Motor (13.8 kV) BELANAK LP-A Compressor Motor (13.8 kV)

Stator Insulation Failure HV Terminal Box, Insulation Failure

Generic Failure Symptoms of Motor & Generator:

• 50 % Bearing problem  vibration analysis.
• 40 % Stator Insulation problems  ONLINE “Partial Discharge” and
“Insulation Diagnostic Reading”
• 10 % Rotor problems  delegated to vibration and current spectrum
analysis.
Technical Analysis and Interpretation Guide

On‐line PD Readings:
Peak magnitude of PD (+PD and – PD), Qm in mV
Normalized Quantity Number of PD (+PD an –PD), NQN
Phase PD (not include in the single end of online PD installation)

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The way to analyze PD
Trend 
 Qm (+PD and –PD)
 NQN (+PD and –PD)
Statistical
 Qm (+PD and –PD)
 NQN (+PD and –PD) 
PD Characteristics 
• Phase comparison (not include in the single end sensor)
• Polarity predominance 
• Effect of operating conditions

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Analysis of PD from the Trending
Trend Analysis 
 Trending of Qm and NQN 
 Indicate the progression of aging mechanisms & 
deterioration 
 Doubling of Qm or NQN within 6 months is considered 
indicative of rapid ageing 
Trending comparison should be for equal parameter or within 
variation, i.e.
• Voltage +/‐ 200V
• Motor load +/‐ 10%
• Generator Real Power +/‐ 10%
• Generator Reactive Power +/‐ 10%
• Winding temperature +/‐ 5 deg C

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Analysis of PD from the Trending
Failure anticipation and Prolong service

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Analysis of PD from the Trending
Qm (+PD, ‐PD) and NQN (+PD, ‐PD) Trending 
Polarity Predominant of PD (+PD, ‐PD)

47-GTG-101A 47-GTG-101A
Qm Trend NQN Trend

Avg +Qm Avg -Qm Avg +NQN Avg -NQN

10 4 10 4

10 3 10 3
NQN Value
Qm Value

10 2 10 2

10 1 10 1

10 0 10 0
Apr Jul Oct Jan 2014 Apr Jul Oct Jan 2014
2013 Measurement Date/Time 2013 Measurement Date/Time

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Statistical Analysis of PD
Benchmark from statistical of similar machines (Ref. Iris):
 Low deterioration 
 Qm : 20 mV for 4160 Volts motors/generators
 Qm : 70 mV for 6.6 kV motors/generators
 Qm : 110 mV for 13.8 kV motors/generators
 High deterioration
 Qm : 390 mV for 4160 Volts motors/generators
 Qm : 430 mV for 6.6 kV motors/generators
 Qm : 720 mV for 13.8 kV motors/generators
 Alarm NQN = 1.5 Qm

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Statistical Analysis of PD
Statistical of Similar machines (Ref. HPVD):

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Possible of Insulation Problems
PD Characteristic
 PD Polarity Predominant

+PD > ‐PD  gaps between insulation and stator core
+PD ~ ‐PD  voids within insulation
+PD < ‐PD  voids close to copper conductor

+PD < -PD

+PD ~ -PD

+PD > -PD

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Possible of Insulation Problems
Sample of Insulation failures:

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Pulse Height Analysis (PHA)
PHA plots represent
 Relationship between pulse magnitude
and pulse repetition rate (+PD & ‐PD)
 The greater the number of pulse per 
second, the more widespread is
deterioration in the windings.
 The higher the PD pulse magnitude,
the more severe the deterioration.
 A movement over time of the plotted 
lines to the upper right corner indicate the winding is deteriorating.
 The comparison of +PD and –PD indicate the possi.ble position of voids

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Pulse Height Analysis (PHA)
PD Comparison

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Pulse Height Analysis (PHA)
PHA and NQN

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PD Characteristic – Operating condition 
(Relative Humidity)
Roller Coaster trend reading

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PD Characteristic – Operating Condition
Humidity Effect

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Insulation Failure in the Terminal Box
Insulation Tracking

 PD generated by insulation problem, usually a few discharge and low 
pulse counts.
 Any PD is not healthy, trending is essential.

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