Partial Discharge detection and monitoring in

SF6 switchgear

Lorenzo Paschini
Solution Engineer
lpaschini@doble.com
ALTANOVA, a Doble Engineering Company, provides diagnostic solutions to
utilities and industries to improve the performance of their electrical assets
through portable testing equipment, advanced monitoring systems, and
professional services.

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Altanova History

1938 I.S.A. Istrumentazioni Sistemi Automatici S.r.l.

is established in Taino ITALY

1999 TECHIMP was born as a spin-off from the

University of Bologna ITALY.

2017 I.S.A. and TECHIMP merge giving

birth to the ALTANOVA GROUP

2019 INTELLISAW joins ALTANOVA GROUP

ALTANOVA GROUP becomes part of ESCO

2021 Technology Group and joins the Doble
Engineering Company, as part of the USG
division.
Doble History
Altanova Today

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Essential for day-to-day maintenance Shift from a time-based maintenance
tests of electrical assets. Useful in to a condition-based maintenance.
specific phases of the asset lifecycle:
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Testing And Monitoring Solutions For:

Power transformers Current & voltage transformers

Circuit breakers Protective relays

HV gas insulated switchgears Meters and transducers

MV/HV/EHV cables Rotating machines

MV/LV switchgears Variable speed drives

Batteries Overhead lines

Fault statistics of GIS
Gas Insulated Switchgears (GIS) have attained a very high degree of
reliability and availability.

Nevertheless, failures cannot totally be excluded, as shown by service

experience. Besides manufacturing, defects may be induced during
transport and installation or by aging, in the course of time.

Such defects shall be found as early as possible, in any case before an

outage is caused.
Summary
• PD detection in GIS
• PD phenomena in GIS
• PRPD pattern and others
• International standards of PD in GIS
• GIS and PD Detection
• Localization Techniques
• Case studies
GIS PD detection
Time domain and frequency domain
Acoustic sensors
UHF - Window coupler
UHF - Barrier coupler
UHF - Internal coupler
Time domain and frequency domain
Depending on the approach different outputs are expected
Class Frequency domain measurement Time Domain measurement

Mode Zero span Full Spectra sweep Ultra wide band

Band

PD
pattern
PD detection in GIS switchgear
The discharge mechanisms involved in the phenomena justify the following detection
methods, each one having different performances depending on the characteristics of
the defect originating the discharges:

• Conducted electrical: for the generated impulsive currents,

• Radiated electrical: for the electromagnetic wave radiated by the current pulse,
• Optical: for the photo-ionizations and photoemissions involved in the PD processes,
• Acoustic: for the pressure wave generated by the discharge,
• Chemical: for the formation of chemical compounds.
Acoustic sensors
Frequency: 5kHz – 100kHz
Good contact required
Can be applied to all GIS
Require care during test: grease and
no vibrations
Acoustic sensors testing
• Testing is done by installing the sensor directly on the GIS
enclosure by using grease for a good physical contact.
• Two measurements in every section of GIS which is
separated by gas barriers ( see detection point in the
graph).
• Each measuring point shall be tested for a few seconds.
• Type of defect is recognized by its signature.

Detection
point
UHF - Window coupler
• To be used with inspection windows.
• Low sensitivity.
• Affected by environnement noise.
• Effectively shielding external signals only for
customized inspection windows design.
UHF - Barrier coupler
• Applicable to insulated gas barriers, normally casting
resin injection point available.
• Low sensitivity.
• Affected by environment noise.
• Applicable to HV cable terminations.
UHF internal coupler
UHF Disk sensor • GIS OEM optional accessories
• High SNR
• Frequency: depends on OEM
• Distrubances only from OHL and cable
terminations
*image From Cigrè TB 444
• Measuring chain to be checked, different UHF
couplers different transfer functions
UHF Cone sensor

*image From Cigrè TB 444

UHF internal coupler
• UHF loop sensors for field installations are
always manufactured as part of the insulation
spacers, cannot be retrofitted.
• The diameter of this type of loop sensor can
be nearly the tank diameter.

*image From Cigrè TB 444

PRPD and analisys plots

• Phase Resolved Partial Discharge Pattern

• Frequency Sweep
• Bar Graph
• Amplitude vs interval
Phase Resolved PD pattern
PD pulses magnitude (pC, mV, dB) plotted respect to the applied voltage reference
expressed in phase angle.

Popular graph to display PD event correlated with

the applied voltage, several PRPD patterns related
to defect can be found in literature.

Used with UWB detectors.

 Frequency sweep
• Selectable frequency range.
• Can be used to investigate a specific
-50
frequency range
-55
• Some defects finger prints available in
Magnitude [dBm]

-60
literature
-65
• Relative analisys between different
-70
detection points (ie baseline noise)
-75
500 1000 1500 2000
Frequency [MHz]
Bar Graphs
Interesting approach on acoutic signal, used while moving the sensor in different
position along the GIS.

The RMS (effective value) of the acoustic signal

The max peak of the signal

The correlation of the acoustic signal to the base

frequency ➔ single polarity phenomenon

The correlation of the acoustic signal to the double of

the base frequency ➔ double polarity phenomenon
Amplitude Vs Interval
Amplitude of the PD pulse plotted respect to the time
between discharges.

The very same pulses those can be plotted in PRPD

pattern will have a significant fingerprint.

Bouncing particles have a well defined pattern, methods

have been introduced to derive dimensions and bounce
height.
PD phenomena in GIS

• Free moving particles

• Particle on insulator
• Protrusions
• Floating Electrode
• Void in insulator
PD phenomena in GIS
According to TF 15.11/33.03.02, typical PD type depending on the source of PD activities
are following:
Free moving particles
Floating electrode
Protrusions
Particles fixed on insulators
Moving Particles
• Phenomenon characterized by irregular behavior and
low repetition rate.
• From the PRPD pattern analysis it is often occurring
with a super imposion between the the two polarity
clusters.
• Detectable with acoustic amplitude – time between
discharges plot.
Particles on insulators
• PRPD pattern can be unipolar
• Moderate repetition rate
• Triangular – like PRPD pattern
common
Protrusions
Cause: bad assembly, scratching of parts during
service life, (operation of contacts).
Protrusion on:
– HV conductor, more dangerous, due to high
field
– Enclosure, less dangerous, due to low field
Floating electrodes
Bad and loose contacts
• High amplitude
• High repetition rate
• Low amplitude dispersion respect to the
phase angle

External object can present the same PRPD

pattern
Voids

• Internal PRPD distribution

• Intermittent behavior possible

Phenomenon can be characterized by very

low repetition rate due to electron
availability to start the electron avalanche.
International standards of
PD in GIS
- Cigrè TB 444
- Cigrè TB 662
- Cigrè TB 525
- Cigrè TB 654
- IEC 62271
- IEEE 1291
Cigrè TB 444

Guidelines for unconventional PD measurements

Comprehensive brochure, the unconventional PD

measurements are discussed from the sensor up to the signal
transmission issues and sensitivity verification.
It contains all the possible application divided by asset (cable,
Transformer, GIS, etc.)

Sensitivity check for GIS treated directly.

Cigrè TB 662

Guidelines for PD detection using conventional and

unconventional methods

Chapter 2: GAS-INSULATED SWITCHGEAR (GIS)

Wide range of topics: from basics of IEC60270 to
unconventional acoustic and UHF techniques.
Several considerations on signal propagation, TOF
localization techniques and site case studies of PD
detection and noise inference.
Cigrè TB 525

Risk assessment on defects in GIS based on PD diagnostics

The TB 525 gives an overview of the techniques, those can

be used to detect PD activities.
The second part of the document gives an interesting
point of view in how the differente defects can be
evaluated as a risk for the GIS fault and present a model to
quantify the risk in percetage of failure probability.
Cigrè TB 654

UHF partial discharge detection system for GIS: Application

guide for sensitivity verification

Comprehensive instructions for UHF sensors verification

linked to traditional IEC 60270 PD measurements.
Used for PD monitoring functionality check and for UHF
sensors positioning along the switchgear.
IEC 62271

Off-line test: acceptance test and commissioning

• IEC60270 as test method and PD measurement preferred

technique.
• General acceptance criteria 5pC, special cases for sub-
assemblies following higher amplitude PD levels
specifications.
• PD test to be applied after HVAC test, voltage levels specified
by the standard.
• VHF/UHF and acoustic methods introduced as well
IEEE 1291

• How to setup test layout for PD test perfomed as per

IEC60270.
• Test circuits and PD measuring instrument are described
• Calibration procedure and details
• PRPD plot (Lissajous) defects examples, together with
common noise disturbances in the appendix for
information only.
GIS and PD detection
• Sensitivity Verification
• GIS commissioning
• Online Spot test
• Permanent PD monitoring
Sensitivity Verification

LABORATORY - IEC 60270 ON SITE INSTALLED GIS

• 1 x Coupling Capacitor UHF sensors

• Fixed PD instrument Bandwidth No limitations in bandwidth
• Calibration procedure Not possible to perform a IEC calib
• 5pC/10pC threshold Not possible to measure pC
Sensitivity Verification
The sensitivity verification suggested by Cigrè is
very popular for UHF sensors functionality check.

References:
- Cigrè TB 654
- Cigrè TF 15/33.03.05
Sensitivity Verification
The TB 654 confirms that when using UHF sensors it is not possible to
calibrate the measuring chain to evaluate the apparent charge in pC.

A link between apparent charge value and UHF PD readings is therefore

proposed based on 2 steps:

- Step 1 – Laboratory Test

- Step 2 – On site test
Sensitivity Verification
Step 1 – Laboratory

C1 and C2 are two internal UHF couplers

5pC Artificial defect introduced at C1.
PD signal measured at C2

Therefore we have a correlation of the same *image From Cigrè TB 674

defect, measured in pC and measured by the UHF

detection system [dB, dBmV, mV].

5pC (IEC60270)➔ XYZ (UHF)

Sensitivity Verification
Step 1 – Laboratory

The 5pC defect is deactivated.

Artificial pulses (rise time < 0.5ns) injected in
C1, selectable amplitudes in V.
From C2 the injected signal shall be
comparable with the 5pC reading made at *image From Cigrè TB 674

C2 (tolerance 20%).
We have now a correlation between 5pC and
Injected artifical pulse.

abc [V]➔ XYZ (UHF)

Sensitivity Verification
Step 2 – On site
Same GIS model, same UHF internal sensors,
same pulse generator and components of
Step1.

- Injection of PD pulses as per Step1

*image From Cigrè TB 674
- Detection of the signal in surrounding
sensors
- All sensor shall pass the sensitivity
verification from at least one injection
point.
GIS commissioning
PD test during GIS commissioning is performed together with HVAC test
thanks to the utilization of external resonant testing system.

Acceptance criteria:
- IEC60270 5pC
- UHF technique to be agreed (sensitivity)
- Combination of the two methods
Online Spot test
On line PD test can be always applied to existing GIS substations, different
layout will lead to different test techniques.

➔ Defect characterization and localization

➔ Sensitvity limitations
➔ Safe test procedures to be agreed
Permanent PD monitoring
Permanent PD monitoring are becoming
popular in new substation installation.

The system shall pass the sensitivity

verification (step1, step2).

Phenomena confirmation and PRPD

pattern identification tool can be some
of the tools to manage sporadic noise
and disturbances .
Permanent PD monitoring
PRPD pattern identification: avoid false
alarms.
Localization techniques
- Switching
- Acoustic
- Arrival time analysis
Switching
Mostly used during Switchgear commissioning, portions of the switchgears
energized separately to identify the PD source on a detected/not detected
PD principle.
Shall be followed to a visual inspection for accurate localization
Acoustic
Acoustic sensor installed in several
position along the suspected PD source, Circuit Breaker
example: different positions plotted with 30 cm

different colors. 40 cm

45 43 49 48 42
44

• Signal comparison for PD phenomena

matching.
• Measured amplitude analysis for
localization.

Limited to acoustic detection only.

51
Arrival time analysis
Applicable with PD detected in multiple UHF couplers.
Fast multichannel oscillcope and low noise UHF amplifiers required.
GIS components introduce delays and signal distortion.

*image From Cigrè TB 502

Case Studies
- Cable termination surface PD activity
- Voltage transformer PD activity
- Various phenomena on aged SS
- Floating potential
Case Study #1
Asia 110kV GIS – PD monitoring

PD commissioning of the substation performed

without the cable termination in place.
At energization the UHF sensor dedicated to the
cable termination triggered the PD alarm before
the substation was loaded.

Termination rectification ➔ PD free

Case Study #2
Europe 150kV

Three phase bus GIS, PD detected with UHF

permanent monitoring system during
commissioning.
Amplitude mapping suggested localization in of the
signal in a certain day, confirmed by futher
switching.

OEM to take action:

➔repeated PD test and VT change
Case Study #3
South America 460kV

On line spot survey on aged GIS performed

with external Horn antennas.

Several defects detected

➔outage, visual inspection and rectification

Successful utilization of external sensors

Case Study #4
Middle east

Very high amplitude and repetition

rate phenomenon. Amplitude
analysis localization confirmed by
acoustic measurement.

External object found during

inspection.
Thank you
Click to add text

Lorenzo Paschini
Solution Engineer
lpaschini@doble.com