Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on
Properties and Applications of Dielectric Materials
July 3-8, 1994, Brisbane Australia
A NEW PARTIAL DISCHARGE DETECTOR
Li Yuo and Qi Su
Depamnent of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
Monash UnnivcrsityC'lavfon Victoria 3168 Australia
Abstract Insulation degradation of high voltage equipment ha\
k e n one of the major concerns of electricity supply authorities
Amongst the many indicators that can be used to assess the
insulation condition of high voltage equipment, partial discharge
testing has been one of the most effective diagnostic tools for
monitoring the condition of electrical insulation. A new detector ha\
k e n developed for the measurement of partial discharges in high
voltage equipment using radio transmission techniques
Experiments carried out in the laboratory have shown that the new
detector has many advantages over the conventional PD detectors. I r
is believed that this is initial in the PD detection area in the world.
1 Introduction
From the measurements of PD characteristics of a high voltage
equipment it is possible to diagnose many problems associated with
the deterioration of dielectric properties of insulation materials at an
early stage before the equipment fails completely and causes
extensive damage to itself and the rest of the supply system. While
various PD measuring methods have been well established in
practice they have some limitations. It would be desirable to develop
a new transmission system for PD measurements. for which radio
transmission may be very pronusing. Although radio transmission
techniques have been used in communications and many other mas
for quite a long time, no body has tried it for PD measurements. The
authors have developed a radio transmission system for PD
detection on HV equipment. The new detector is small in size, light
in wight. cheap in price and easy-to-use. This is an on-going project
and after further development, it should be possible to use the
techniques for on-line insulation condition monitoring of HV
equipment.
2 Conventional Discharge Detectors
Partial discharges are localised electrical discharges within an
insulation system. It has long been recognised that PDs have a
significant effect on the life of insulation of HV equipment. During
the past several decades PD measurements have gained an utmost
importance.
So far, various methods for PD detection and location have k e n
described based on light. electriclacowtic emissions. The most
widely used detection method may be the electrical ones. These
methods aim at separating the impulse currents linked with partial
discharges. The two important detectors in electrical method widely
used in the world may be the ERA detector and RF detector.
2.1 ERA partial discharge detector
Since the first oscilloscope based PD detector was used about a
half of century ago, the measurement circuit has changed little in its
elements and connection. A practical PD measurement circuit
0-7803-1307-0194/53.W0 1994 IEEE
598
Paper 6212
normally includes follow elements:
(1). A high-voltage source, preferably free from discharges.
(2). A sample affected by discharges
(3). An impedance Zm. across which voltage impulses are caused by
the discharge impulses in the sample.
(4). A coupling capacitance which facilitates the passage of the
high-frequency current impulses. The standard high-voltage
capacitor, which provides a low-impedance path between the test
object and a measuring impedance Zm, is connected in parallel with
the test object to couple PD pulses into the measurement circuit. It is
essential that the coupling capacitor be discharge-free at the test
voltage.
( 5 ) . An amplifier.
(6).An observation unit, which may be a crest voltmeter, an
oscilloscope, a ERA, a pulse sampling device.
A typical measurement circuit is shown in Fig.]
T,m5lOllc,
3W Jmkl
~ iI This
~ .is the circuit connection of a conventional test
method.
2.2 RF partial discharge detector
It is well known that radio transmission or radiotelephony may
heavily be disturbed by high-frequency interference voltages within
the supply mains to which receivers are connected or by disturbing
electromagnetic field spiked up by the aerials. Radio interference
measuring instruments are designed to give a quantitative measure
of unwanted disturbances to radio-frequency communication
circuits; they are covered by various specifications. Their response
is determined by filters having a specified small band-width E and a
tunable mean frequency f and also by the output stage of their
amplifier which operates as a quasi-peak voltmeter. using a moving-
coil output meter. For the measurement of radio interference, the
instrument is calibrated with an input voltage of sine wave-form at
the tuned frequencyfand the interference voltage is expressed as the
r m s . value of an equivalent sinusoidal voltage. The main advantage
of narrow-band circuit is the large suppression of sinusoidal
interference voltages outside the midband frequency used. As f can
be continuously changed, one may easily find a frequency band in
which the lowest amount of disturbances are present
2.3 The Problems of conventional partial discharge detectoi
The major problems may be included in the following:
(1) The HV coupling capacitor is a quite expensive and relatively
heavy element in the test circuit
(2) A serious source of disturbance from multiple earthing. If the
circuit and its detector are earthed at several points. a common path
between signals and disturbance may be created causing a big
interference problem.
(3) PD detection is connected to the low voltage side of the coupling
capacitor and the signal is transmitted to the monitor via a coaxial
cable. The lead of the capacitor .bushing and the associated coaxial
cables connecting the monitor may easily be affected by var~ous
interferences. such as electromagnetic interference, cross-talk,
random noise due to atmospheric disturbance, power line harmonics
and arcing of switching contacts.
2.4. Optical fibre transmssion detector
The optical fibre transmission method can overcome several
problems of conventional partial discharge detection, such as easy to
use. light in weight, small in size, omitting the HV capacitor,
replacing the coaxial cables and good anti-interference capability.
So far there are two principal ways of PD measurement using fibre-
optic links:
-Analogue link: The measured signal is amplitude modulated or
frequency modulated on a carrier signal transmitted via the fibre and
demodulated at the receiving end.
-Digital link: The measured signal is digitised with a A/D-converter.
transmitted via the fibre and treated in digital form.
PD measurement by means of fibre-optic cable can omit the H.V
coupling capacitor. PD signal can be obtained directly from H.V
terminal by a current transformer. However. fibre-optic system may
not be useful for on-line condition monitoring and installation of
fibre-optic cable is sometimes difficult. Optic-fibre have to be kept
dry otherwise discharge along cable surface will occur. If voltage is
increased ,the length of a optical fibre must be increased
accordingly. The optical fibre should also be well protected from
mechanical damages.
3. A New Partial Discharge Detector Using Radio Transmission
A new partial discharge detector using radio transmission is
deuicted in Fie .2.
ConluI,
Fig.2 The new PD detector and its circuir connections
The PD detector of radio transmission consists of
(a) A sensor for the detection of PD pulse.
(b) A inferred remoter for controlling the power supply, signal gain
and frequency band.
(c) A transmitter which has been shielded completely in a metal
cylinder.
(d) A radio receiver.
(e) A data acquisition device for signal recording.
(0 A computer for signal processing and data storage.
As shown in Fig.2, the battery-powered transmitter of the radio
transmission system is hung on the lead between the test transformer
and the sample under test. A high frequency current transformer is
clamped on the lead as a sensor. Partial discharge pulses flowing
through the lead are picked up by the current transformer and sent to
the radio transmitter. W signal after modulating by PD signals has
been emitted from antenna to the receiver. At the receiver the W
signal are converted to PD signal and amplified. The HF current
transformer and the transmitter are at high potential whereas the
receiver is on the ground perfectly isolated from high voltage by the
space.
Because the information acts on the carrier, it is called the
modulating signal. The principal is the same with fibre-optic system,
but the mode of transmission is different. Because of transmission in
air and the short distance between the current transformer and
measurement terminal (within 100 meters), there is no problem with
installation. insulation and power (around 300mw radiate power)
requirement. As a result, a AM mode and a carrier of 84MHZ have
been selected. This frequency of carrier avoid television channels
and AM(up to ZOMHZ), FM radio frequency rangei 88MHZ-
IOBMHZ). Further more a circuit to select desired bandwidth can be
designed using the remote controller.
In the new system, the transmitter is powered by small batteries
because of the size limitation of the device. In order to make the
batteries last longer, a stand-by circuit is designed so that the
transmitter only operates when sending signals. The frequency band
of the systems is about 200HZ-5MHZ which is suitable for most PD
detectors. The gain of PD signal received from radio transmission
system is sufficient high to be shown on the oscilloscope screen
directory
3. I Circuit design of the radio transmission system
The block diagram of the transmitter is shown in Fig .3.
-
Fig.3 The block of radio transmitter
When PD occurs, signal can be picked up by the high frequency
current transformer and Sent to the wide band preamplifier of
transmitter. The amplified PD signal is then modulated by the
modulator with a 84MHZ canier generator. The RF(radio
frequency)signal modulated by the PD signal is emitted by an
antenna after power amplifying. An infrared remoter control used
599
for controlling power supply E X E R N A L NOISE

The receiver consists of several sections as shown in Fig.4. 11 WRELINE

separates the desired R F signals from other radio signals which may L .

be picked up by the antenna. The RF signal is amplified first in high

frequent amplifier before being converted in the mixer. Obtaining
this selectivity at the IF(intermediate frequency) is easier because
the circuits remain fixed-tuned at the IF. After the mixer outpul
being fed to IF amplifiers. the output from the IF amplifiers is fed tcl
(CROSS-TALK1 I-INAL NOISE
the detector, or demodulator. where the PD signal is extracted. 01
demodulated. The PD signal output goes to a PD signal amplifier. R A M 0 EMmNG

which consists of a low-level voltage amplifier, and finally is

coupled to a oscilloscope or ERA detector.

VERY L l M m D
SHOTNOISE
INTERFRENCE

U
ATCARRY FREQVNCY DARK€URRENT
NOISE

Fig.5 Sources of noise in wire-fine and radio rransmission

-
4
Fig.4 The block of radio receiver
systems

Another advantage nf the radio lransniision svstem over

4 Advantages of the new partial discharge detector
Because radio measurement system omits coupling capacitor and
coaxial cable and the transmission of PD signals is only by air so
that it can be used in any HV systems. PD pulses can be transmitted
by analogue mode or digital mode of radio. If a carrier signal
frequency is selected adequately the interference problem from
radiation or electromagnetic coupling m y be solved. If AM mode i\
selected interference may be limited on carrier frequency. For FM
mode and digital mode there will be almost no influence. A5 a
result, external electromagnetic interference will be significantly
suppressed. This is of particular importance in applications where
there is high magnetic flux coupling. The sources of noise in a
metallic wire-line and a radio transmission system are illustrated in
Fig.5.
conventional transmission media is the high kansmirsion
performance(bandwidth). For coaxial cable, power losses limit
transmission to a few hundred megahertz over distance of I km.
while the bandwidth of PD signal modulated on the carrier is of no
influence if power emitted is enough for receiving the good signal.
This would be important for remote insulation monitoring systems.
Finally, the radio mode detector developed is small in size. light in
weight, cheap in price and easy to use making it viable for multiple
phase PD measurements. This would be significant for more
accurate PD magnitude measurements and on-line insulation
condition monitoring because the battely can be charged on-line
continuously and the power supply. gain of the amplifier and
frrquency range can be controlled by a remoter. A summary of the
main advantages of the radio transmission mode PD detector is
given in Table I ,

Less cost in test equipment.

No HV coupling capacitor HV lead and capacitor is eliminated.

No cable link. PD pulse is transmitted via Vanous interferences are prevented, such as
electromagnetic wave as modulating signal. noise caused by difference in ground
potential of the sensor and measurement
instruments.
No electrical connection between HV Safer for the measurement instruments and
conductors and the measurement operators.
instruments on the ground
Easy to use. Also, simultaneous PD
Smaller in size and lighter in weight measurements on multiple phases and
terminals may be carried out.

I Lowercosts Cheaper in price.

5 Test Results
decrease. The system developed has been tested to measure the
The new detection method has been proved to have excellent partial discharges in a lOkv stator bar. The PD signals captured by a
sensitivity in partial discharge measurements on high voltage ERA using the radio transmission system is shown in Fig.6.
equipment. Because the transmitter shielded completely is smooth
in shape and small in size so that interference are eliminated and the
variance of external electric field intensity around transmitter tend to
 Engineering for its continuous support to the HV research

8. References

[ IIFH. Kreuger 'Partial Discharge Detection in high-Voltage

Equipment'. 1989

[2]Q, Su. 'Optical Fibre Transmission For Partial Discharge

Fig.6 The PD signals captured by a ERA using the radio
transmission system
Fig.7 is show that the PDsignals captured by a ERA using the
conventional system
measurements', Monash
University, Snowy mountain Hydro-electric Authoritystate
electricity commission Of Victoria Joint Seminar on Insulation
Condition Monitoring Of Electrical Plan Feb 18.1993.
[3]Y.Mizuno. J.M.Braun. R.J. Densley, N.Fujimoto and
H.G.Sedding 'Temporal Evolution of Partial Discharge in Voids and
Electrical Trees'ISH Japan Aug 1993

[4]CI. Menguy - ph. Guerin - B. Fallou - D. Fotrune 'Partial

Discharges Energy Measurements on Insulation System and
Equipments'Conference of the 1988 IEEE ISEI

[S]I.A.Black 'A Pulse Discrimination System For Discharge

Detection Measurements on Equipment Operating in A Power
b . 7 The PD signals captured by a ERA using the convent& System' 1976
system

The PD measurement using the radio transmission system also was

aided by a computer-based detetor CB2-2 MONASH.
The results for the lOkv stator bar were also compared with the
conventional methods of ERA measurement. For example, for a
discharge pulse with amplitude of 125pc displaying on the ERA
screen. the gain indication of the conventional method was on 7, but
using the new detector the gain only need to place at 1.5. Also, for a
calibrations pulse of 500 pc the amplifier was 62dB for
conventional method hut only 16dB for the new method displaying
same pulse.

A series of measurements were carried out using the radio

transmission system on a generator. Test results showed that the
radio transmission system has good sensitivity even for site tests.

6. Conclusions

An new PD detector using radio transmission method has been

developed at Monash University. The detector can be used to
replace the HV coupling capacitor. coupling impedance and coaxial
cables in the conventional measurement system. There are several
advantages of the new detector, such as small in size, light in
weight. cheap in price , easy to use and better noise suppression.
The detector can be used in conjunction with either a conventional
PD measurement instrument, such as ERA detector, or a digital data
acquisition device, such as a digital oscilloscope. To further improve
this detector, a digital method may be used for the transmission
because of its better performance in noise suppression. The digitised
signals can be directly linked with a computer and will be very
useful for on-line PD measurements on HV equipment.

7. Acknowledgment

The authors wish to acknowledge Australian Research Council,

Australian Electricity Supply Industry Research Board. the State
Electricity Commission of Victoria and Snowy Mountains Hydro-
Electricity Commission for their support to the research projects on
Insulation Condition Monitoring of Plant at Monash University.
Thanks are also due to the Monash University Centre for Electrical

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