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PD Pro
Techimp

USER MANUAL

Software release 1.00.09.44

MN-04.07.154_eng Rev. 00 – November 2019

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The product and the information contained herein may be changed at any time without prior

notification.

Neither this manual nor any of its parts shall not be reproduced or transmitted in any form either

electronically or physically, including photocopying and recording, without the express written

consent of Techimp -Altanova Group.

All rights reserved.

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INDEX

1 INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................................................... 7

2 PRELIMINARY ACTIONS ........................................................................................................................ 9

CONTROL UNIT MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................. 9

SOFTWARE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS ................................................................................................... 9

SOFTWARE INSTALLATION ................................................................................................................. 10

3 SOFTWARE DESCRIPTION .................................................................................................................. 15

INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................. 15

LOGIN .............................................................................................................................................. 15

MAIN PAGE ....................................................................................................................................... 16

USER MANAGEMENT ......................................................................................................................... 17

CHOOSE LANGUAGE.......................................................................................................................... 19

LOGOUT ........................................................................................................................................... 19

MANAGE LICENSES ........................................................................................................................... 20

3.7.1 Techimp PD Pro Offline activation procedure ............................................................................ 20

3.7.2 Techimp PD Pro on-line activation procedure ........................................................................... 21

DATABASE........................................................................................................................................ 22

3.8.1 Create new registry .................................................................................................................... 24

3.8.2 Query: registry............................................................................................................................ 27

3.8.3 Query: acquisition ...................................................................................................................... 30

3.8.4 Query: Test Plan ........................................................................................................................ 32

TEST PLAN EDITOR........................................................................................................................... 33

ACQUISITION .................................................................................................................................... 36

3.10.1 Base mode............................................................................................................................. 37

 3.10.2 Advanced mode ..................................................................................................................... 40

3.10.2.1 Calibration window ........................................................................................................................... 47

3.10.2.2 Map filtering window ........................................................................................................................ 49

3.10.3 Advanced mode for the PDBase instrument ......................................................................... 50

3.10.4 Test plan mode ...................................................................................................................... 53

3.10.4.1 IEC60270 ......................................................................................................................................... 57

PROCESSING .................................................................................................................................... 59

3.11.1 Advanced processing: main page ......................................................................................... 61

3.11.2 Advanced processing: separation ......................................................................................... 62

3.11.3 Advanced processing: pattern filter ....................................................................................... 65

3.11.4 Advanced processing: Generic identification ........................................................................ 67

3.11.4.1 Advanced identification .................................................................................................................... 69

3.11.5 Advanced processing: TDR location ..................................................................................... 69

3.11.6 Advanced processing: pattern movie .................................................................................... 72

3.11.7 Advanced processing: trending ............................................................................................. 73

3.11.8 Advanced processing: report ................................................................................................. 75

4 ANNEX A: PD PATTERN LIBRARY...................................................................................................... 77

INTERNAL PD ................................................................................................................................ 77

SURFACE PD ................................................................................................................................ 81

CORONA PD .................................................................................................................................. 83

5 ANNEX B - TIME-FREQUENCY MAPPING .......................................................................................... 85

1 INTRODUCTION

The following user’s manual describe the usage of the Techimp PD Pro software in all its features,

highlighting the best practices and the standard usage for a correct detection of the signal relevant

to Partial Discharges (PD) acquisitions, the management of such data and the analysis for a correct

evaluation of the eventual phenomena occurring and their harmfulness for an insulation system.
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2 PRELIMINARY ACTIONS

This section describes all the preliminary actions to be taken prior to the usage of the Techimp PD

Pro software.

CONTROL UNIT MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

In order to run the Techimp PD Pro in an optimal way, it is necessary to have it installed on a laptop

or personal computer having the following minimum set of hardware requirements:

- RAM: 8GB

- Hard Disk: 100 GB

- Ethernet connection: 1GB

- Screen resolution: Full HD (1920 x 1080)

SOFTWARE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

In order to correctly install the Techimp PD Pro the following two software constraints must be

satisfied:

• Operating system: Microsoft Windows 10 release XXX or later;

• Microsoft .NET Framework 4.7.2 or later.

Non complying with the minimum hardware or software requirements listed here above can result in

experiencing errors during the installation, standard operation or in a loss of performance of the

Techimp PD Pro.
 SOFTWARE INSTALLATION

Before starting the Techimp PD Pro installation procedure, it is necessary to make sure to satisfy

the hardware and software requirements listed in sections 2.1 and 2.2.

The installation can be started by double-clicking on the Techimp PD Pro installer provided by

Techimp at the moment of purchase. It is necessary to run it as an administrator.

In the following figures (from Figure 2-1 to Figure 2-11), screenshots of the dialog windows for the

installation are reported. During a standard installation, the parameters reported in the dialog

windows shall not be changed.

Figure 2-1

Figure 2-2
 Figure 2-3

As shown in the following Figure 2-4, some additional software is installed along with the installation

of the Techimp PD Pro. Such software is required for the correct operation of the features of the

Techimp PD Pro.

Figure 2-4
Figure 2-5

Figure 2-6

Figure 2-7
Figure 2-8

Figure 2-9

Figure 2-10
 Figure 2-11

At the end of the installation procedure, Techimp PD Pro can be run from the shortcut located on

the desktop or from the Start menu. The software is now ready for use.
3 SOFTWARE DESCRIPTION

INTRODUCTION

In the following sections, the Graphical User Interface (GUI) windows of Techimp PD Pro will be

shown and described together with the relevant functionalities.

LOGIN

Once the user has double-clicked on the shortcut icon on the desktop, the first GUI windows of the

Techimp PD Pro to appear is the Login window of Figure 3-1.

The default login account credentials are:

• Username: admin

• Password: admin

The login page allows managing the access to the data and the functionalities of the Techimp PD

Pro software in a shared computer, allowing only the pre-configured users to access the main page.

Once the login procedure has been successfully completed, the window in Figure 3-2 will be

presented. The window in Figure 3-2 is the main page of the Techimp PD Pro where all the main

software modules are represented by hexagonal icons.

 Figure 3-1 Login window

MAIN PAGE

The main page of Techimp PD Pro allows recalling the main features of the software plaT-Form. As

depicted in Figure 3-2, the main modules of the software are represented by means of hexagonal

icons.

In the central part of this window there are icons for:

• Starting new acquisitions (ACQUISITION icon);

• Managing and organizing the stored data (DATABASE icon);

• Analyzing and processing the performed acquisitions (PROCESSING icon);

• Creating a new Test Plan (TEST PLAN icon)

When the mouse pointer is on one of such icons, the relevant sub-features are highlighted and

activated.

In the upper-right side, some icons related to settings management (users, language, license, etc.)

can be found. All of these icons together with the related features and tools will be described in the

next paragraphs.
 Acquisition

Database

Test Plan Editor

Processing

Figure 3-2 Techimp PD Pro navigation window

USER MANAGEMENT

The user management section of the Techimp PD Pro is composed of two different icons highlighted

in Figure 3-3. The first one is the Add User icon: an operator can create a new user profile. The

second is the Users editing icon: a user profile can be created or deleted.

Add User

Edit Users

Figure 3-3 User management icons

By clicking the Add User icon, the window in Figure 3-4 is displayed. All the fields (username, email,

password) of the window in Figure 3-4 shall be filled in to create a new user profile.

When the mandatory fields are filled in the Add user icon in the center-right part of the window is

enabled and, by clicking on it, the user is created and it can be used later on.
 Figure 3-4 Add new user wizard

From the main page, by clicking on the Users editing icon, the window in Figure 3-5 is displayed.

Delete User

Edit User

Figure 3-5 User management

In this window, Figure 3-5, all the existing users are listed and the operator can edit or delete them

through the icons on the right of the window.

 CHOOSE LANGUAGE

By clicking on the Choose language icon the drop-down menu, Figure 3-6, will appear and the

operator can select the desired Techimp PD Pro language. Additional languages may be included

in the software.

Figure 3-6 Select the Techimp PD Pro language

LOGOUT

By clicking on the Logout icon, Figure 3-7, the user session in use will be terminated and a new login

window (Figure 3-1) will be presented again.

Logout

Figure 3-7 Logout icon

 MANAGE LICENSES

In order to use the Techimp PD Pro software, it must be activated by means of an activation key. A

license key has been provided by Techimp with the software. In order to activate it, it is necessary

to recall the License window of Figure 3-8 from the Main page icon, located on the upper right part

of Figure 3-2.

Offline Activation

License
.xml file Online Activation

Properties
.xml file
Upload Icon

Software version
Figure 3-8 Manage licenses window

Based on how the keys can be activated the license activation procedure can be divided into two

typologies: offline and online. In the following, (3.7.1 and 3.7.2) these two procedures are described.

In the bottom part of the Manage Licenses window, the Techimp PD Pro software version together

with some other libraries versions are reported.

3.7.1 TECHIMP PD PRO OFFLINE ACTIVATION PROCEDURE

The off-line procedure has to be used when it is not possible to connect to the Internet the computer

where the Techimp PD Pro software is installed. In such cases, the first part of this procedure can

be done on a machine that has internet access, while it can be concluded on the target machine with

no Internet connection.
The first part of the procedure is composed of the steps listed below.

• Open the Techimp PD Pro software;

• Complete the Log-in procedure (section 3.2);

• Click on the Manage license icon, in the upper-right side of the Techimp PD Pro main page;

• Fill the activation key into the corresponding field;

• Click on the Activation offline icon (represented by the wrench in Figure 3-8). The software

will create a .dat file located in “C:/User/«Logged-in user»/Documents” which must be sent

to Techimp.

Once the file that was created has been sent to Techimp, the first part of the procedure is concluded.

After the first part is completed, Techimp will send back two license files: QlmLicense.xml and

QlmProductProprieties.xml. Such files are required in order to finalize the second part of the

procedure on the target computer. The steps to follow are in the following:

• Open the Techimp PD Pro software;

• Complete the Log-in procedure (Par. 3.2);

• Click on the Manage license icon, in the upper-right side of the Techimp PD Pro main page;

• Fill the activation key into the corresponding field;

• Use the License and Properties slots to import the two .xml files sent by Techimp;

• Click the Upload icon below the two slots.

The procedure is then finalized and the required Techimp PD Pro features are now enabled.

3.7.2 TECHIMP PD PRO ON-LINE ACTIVATION PROCEDURE

This simplified procedure has been designed for those machines (PC, laptop, server, …) that have

an Internet connection.

In order to complete the Techimp PD Pro activation, follow the below procedure:
 • Open the Techimp PD Pro software;

• Complete the Log-in procedure (Par. 3.2);

• Click on the Manage license icon, in the upper-right side of the Techimp PD Pro main page;

• Fill the activation key into the corresponding field;

• Click on the Activation on-line icon (represented by the network icon, Figure 3-8)

The procedure is then finalized and the required Techimp PD Pro features are now enabled.

DATABASE

Techimp PD Pro exploits a database structure to efficiently manage, store and organize the

acquisition data. In the following sections, all the features and tools related to the data managing will

be described. All the database management functionalities can be accessed via the dedicated icons

available on the center-left side of the main page window as shown in Figure 3-9. The database

module is composed of four sub-modules representing functionalities related to data management.

Create New Registry

Database Module
Query Registry

Query Test Plan Query Acquisition

Figure 3-9 Database management icons

In sections 0, Error! Reference source not found., 3.8.3 and 3.8.4 the database sub-modules are d

escribed.
3.8.1 CREATE NEW REGISTRY

A registry can be considered as a folder in which all the data acquisitions related to a detection point

in an electrical asset are stored. Moreover, general and technical information on the measurement

campaign is related to the registry. Hence, in this way a link will be always present between the PD

data and the technical and general asset information.

A new registry can be created by means of the Create new Registry icon in the Techimp PD Pro

main page of Figure 3-9. By clicking on the icon, a specific wizard procedure will help the operator

in the creation of a new registry. In Figure 3-10 the first step of the wizard is reported.

Figure 3-10 Create new registry wizard

In this first step, these following characteristics of the electrical asset are requested:

• Customer name (mandatory field)

• Circuit name (mandatory field)

• Location (mandatory field)

• Rated Voltage

• Apparatus Serial Number (mandatory field)

• Manufacturer
 • Vintage

• Asset type, where the available asset typology are: cable, GIS, rotating machine, switchgear

and transformer (mandatory field)

The more information is filled in, the more focused the queries in a second time can be. Once at

least the mandatory fields are filled in, the Next button in the bottom-right side becomes active and

the operator can proceed to the second step. The technical information that can be inserted in the

second step window of the wizard is dependent on the selected asset. As an example, in Figure

3-11, the second step window about the cables is reported.

Figure 3-11 Cable specific registry data

In this second step, information regarding:

• Number of phases, choosing between 1 and 3 and specifying their names;

• Detection points number and the identification labels per each detection point;

• Voltage type, choosing between high voltage and medium voltage

are required to the operator, but not mandatory. Such characteristics listed above are common for

all the asset types. Moreover, per each asset, there are also specific data, as an example: the cable

length for cables, the machine typology for rotating machines or the bushing type for transformers.

To confirm and save the new registry item, click on the Save icon in the bottom-right side of the

window (Figure 3-11), otherwise click on the Previous icon to return to the previous page. Finally,

the information window of Figure 3-11 informs the operator that the registry creation has been

finalized.

Figure 3-12 New registry item correctly saved

The Query: registry sub-module can be exploited to verify and find the last registry created (see

section Error! Reference source not found.).

Filters

Plus Icon

Figure 3-13 Query registry window

3.8.2 QUERY: REGISTRY

An existing registry can be retrieved by means of the Query: Registry icon in the Techimp PD Pro

main page of Figure 3-9. By clicking on the icon, the window in Figure 3-13 appears where all the

saved registries are listed, and an operator can apply query filters, find a registry and edit it.

By clicking on the Plus icon, present on the left side of a row, more detailed information is shown

and new icons appear in the bottom-left side of the exploded row (Figure 3-14).

Import
Acquisition

Copy

Modify Acquisition

Delete

Figure 3-14 Exploded row in Query Registry

Such icons are respectively used to:

• Copy, to create a new registry starting from an existing one;

• Modify, to edit an existing registry;

• Delete a registry, to remove a registry from the database;

• Acquisition, to start a new acquisition with the selected registry;

• Import acquisitions, to import an acquisition already made in the selected registry;

 IMPORTANT NOTE: in order to avoid unintentional losses of data, if the Delete icon

is clicked, an operation confirmation window will appear (Figure 3-15).

Moreover, if there are acquisitions linked to the selected registry, the Techimp PD

Pro software does not allow the operator to directly delete both the registry and all

the data associated with it (Figure 3-16). But, in this case, the software will force the

operator to delete the acquisitions at first and then it is possible to delete the registry

Figure 3-15 registry delete confirmation window

Figure 3-16 Warning: the registry contains acquisitions are you sure you want to delete it?

In the upper part of the Query Registry window (Figure 3-13), a light-blue label Filters is available.

By clicking on it, its row will be exploded as shown in Figure 3-17. In the Filters area there are four

static filters, organized in four different rows, and also a dynamic filter represented by the drop-down

menu in the fifth row and indicated by the More filters label. The available static filters, useful for

easily find a specific registry, are:

• Registry ID;

• Customer name;

• Asset type;

• Location name.
If more than one filter is used, they ones used are combined together using the AND logic condition.

In order to apply the required filters, it is necessary to click on the Apply icon on the right side of the

Filters area. In order to clear all the filter fields, it is necessary to click on the Reset all icon (aside

from the Apply icon).

The filter settings can also be saved by clicking on the Save icon and recalled or displayed the recent

searches by clicking on the respective icons on the upper-right side of the Query Registry window

(Figure 3-13).

In Figure 3-17 an example of the combination of more filters is reported.

Saved Queries
Queries
history

Filters Area

Apply, Delete
or Save filters
icons
Customized
Filters

Figure 3-17 Registry filters

Concerning the dynamic filters, Figure 3-18 displays some quantities that can be chosen as a search

filter. Even for the dynamic filters, more than one filter can be applied and combined using the AND

logic condition.
 Figure 3-18 Dynamic filters

3.8.3 QUERY: ACQUISITION

An existing acquisition can be retrieved by means of the Query: Acquisition icon on the Techimp PD

Pro main page of Figure 3-9. By clicking on this icon, the window in Figure 3-19 appears. Here all

the acquisitions saved are listed and, an operator can apply research filters, find acquisition and

manage it.

Plus
Icon

Figure 3-19 Query acquisition window

By clicking on on the Plus button, placed on the left side of a row, more details related to the

corresponding acquisition are shown, as depicted in Figure 3-20. The four icons beside the T-F Map

(Figure 3-20) can be used to:

1. Send the selected acquisition to the processing mode;

2. Show more detail about the selected acquisition;

3. Export the acquisition (a .pqd file will be created);

4. Delete the acquisition.

Saved
Queries Queries
Filters history

Open in
Processing Export
acquisition

Delete
acquisition

Show more
detail

Figure 3-20 Detail of an acquisition

On the right side of the Plus button, there is a checkbox. By means of it, an operator can select more

than one acquisition and it can apply to them the same command as an example, it can send them

to the processing module, export them or delete them.

In the upper part of the Query acquisition window (Figure 3-19), as for the Query registry window,

there is the Filter zone by which an operator can apply search filters. For further detail about the

filters and their property refer to section Error! Reference source not found..
3.8.4 QUERY: TEST PLAN

An existing Test Plan can be searched by means the Query: Test Plan icon in the Techimp PD Pro

main page of Figure 3-9. By clicking on this icon, the window in Figure 3-21 appears. Here all the

test plans saved in the database are listed.

An acquisition in Test Plan mode can be started by clicking on the Acquire icon that is present on

the right of the selected row.

An operator can edit or delete a Test Plan by means of the respective icons placed on the right side

of the same row (Figure 3-21).

Saved
Queries Queries
Filter
history
s

Edit Start an
Delete Acquisition

Figure 3-21 Query Test Plan window

Regarding the search filters in the upper part of the Query Test Plan window (Figure 3-21), they have

the same features already explained in the Par. Error! Reference source not found..
 TEST PLAN EDITOR

In this section, the Techimp PD Pro Test Plan Editor module and its functionalities are described.

The main purpose of the Test Plan module is to suit as much as possible the factory quality control

measurement procedures. It allows an operator to define different test procedures having each one

of them its own measurement steps defined in terms of supply voltage, warning thresholds (in mV

or pC) and acquisition parameters.

Given a quality control test, the Test Plan Editor has to be used at the beginning for the customization

of the test procedures. In order to create a new Test Plan click on the Test Plan Editor icon in the

Techimp PD Pro main page of Figure 3-22. After that, when an operator wants to perform the test

according to the procedure, the Test Plan Acquisition modality has to be used (see section 0).

Test Plan editor module

Figure 3-22 Test Plan Editor

The Test Plan configuration window of Figure 3-23 is composed of five areas:

• Measurement plan it allows to create and define the steps of the measurement procedure;

• Acquisitions parameters where the acquisition settings can be modified;

• Sync where all the settings related to the sync channel are present;

• Calibration where the desired PD channels are selectable together with the selection of

IEC60270 calibrations if they are available or valid for the equipment under test;
 • Additional Test Plan keys where it is possible to add additional fields, mandatory or not to be

required at the beginning of a new test.

Test Plan name IEC selector

Sync area

Measurement
Plan area
Acquisition
parameters
area
Calibration
area

Additional Test
Plan Keys area
Channels selector

Import Calibration
Figure 3-23 Test Plan editor window

The first row in the upper part of the window allows to define the name to associate with the Test

Plan. Beside the box name, a selector allow to perform the Test Plan according to the IEC60270.

In the Measurement Plan area, each row of the table represents a step of the measurement

procedure. The parameters editable per each row are:

• Name: a meaningful name is required (i.e. a progressive number or the test voltage);

• Applied voltage [V]: the voltage applied during the step;

• Warning threshold [V or pC]: a threshold value for the acceptance of the result, visualized

during the acquisition;

• Notes: a comment related to the step.

The area dedicated to the Acquisition settings includes the following parameters:

• Time length [s]: it is the total length of the displayed and acquired waveform for each pulse;
 • Dead time [s]: the short time after a Trigger event when a detector cannot process another

event;

• Pre-trigger [%]: it is used to initiate sweep ahead of the transmitted pulse;

• Max pulses number and Acquisition Timeout [s]: are the parameters relevant to each

acquisition. The acquisition stops when the Max pulse number is reached. In case the set

number of pulses is not reached, the acquisition stops when the timeout is reached.

In the Sync area can be defined:

• Sync Source: allows selecting one of the available synchronization channels.

• Phase Shift: if the synchronization signal in use has a different phase with respect to the

voltage applied to the EUT, it is possible to shift the software phase to the desired value by

means of this command.

• Sync Ratio: it is the scale factor between the HV (applied to the EUT - Equipment Under

Test) and the synchronization signal (RMS).

The Calibration area allows to manage the following:

• Through the checkboxes it is possible to select the channels that are going to be used in the

tests;

• By clicking on the magnifying glass icon, a calibration that has been previously done can be

imported.

In the Additional Test Plan keys area additional information related to the Test Plan can be configured

for the operator to be filled when starting the plan. Such information can be defined as mandatory to

start the measurement procedure.

 ACQUISITION

In the following section, Techimp PD Pro acquisition module and all its functionalities are described.

In order to start a new acquisition, it is necessary to click on the Acquisition icon in the Techimp PD

Pro main page of Figure 3-24.

Acquisition
Module

Figure 3-24 Acquisition icon in the Techimp PD Pro main page

An acquisition wizard, composed of two steps, will appear. In Figure 3-25 the first step is represented

and, in it, the operator can choose an existing registry in which the new acquisitions are saved or he

can create a new one (see section 3.8 for more information regarding the registry features).

Detail of the
selected
Registry
Create a new
Registry
Skip future
Query an acquisition
existent Registry association

Figure 3-25 Wizard for starting a new acquisition (step 1)

By clicking on the Next button in the bottom-right of the window, Figure 3-25, the wizard will continue

with the next step. At this step (Figure 3-26) the operator can select:

1. The acquisition mode, choosing between Base mode, Test Plan, Advanced.

2. The instrument, choosing between PDCheck, PDScope, Aquila, Micro Aquila, and

PDBase.

PD Instruments

Available
Acquisition
modalities

Figure 3-26 Wizard for starting a new acquisition (step 2)

In the following paragraphs, the three acquisition mode will be presented and explained.

3.10.1 BASE MODE

The Base mode is a simplified acquisition modality. In this working condition the software, based on

the ongoing PD activity, automatically chooses the better acquisition parameters as the Full Scale

and the Trigger threshold and autonomously performs the acquisition.

In Figure 3-27 the base mode acquisition window is reported.

IP address Port number

Connect

Channel

Acquire

Figure 3-27 Acquisition: Base mode

To start a new acquisition follow the below procedure:

• Insert the instrument IP address and the Port number of the instrument.

• Click on the Connect icon (on the upper-left side of the window).

• Select the Channel number to use.

• Set the acquisition information by means of the wizard (Figure 3-28). In this window it is

possible to choose the phase under test, the detection point and the sensors utilized. Click

on the apply button (Figure 3-28).

To simply perform tests and avoid these associations in the window in Figure 3-25 the “Skip

acquisition association” must be enabled.

• Phase shift: if the synchronization signal in use has a phase that is different from the voltage

applied to the insulating system, it is possible to shift the phase to the desired value by means

of this command.
 Phase ref

Detection point
in use PD sensor in use

Sync sensor in use

PD Test type

Figure 3-28 Set acquisition information wizard

• In the window in Figure 3-27, in the bottom-left side, click on the Play button to start the

automatic acquisition process. The software automatically defines the optimal values of Full

Scale and Trigger and will complete the acquisition. If more than one acquisition needs to be

performed, an operator can easily click the Play button again and a new acquisition will be

done.

In Figure 3-29 an example of multiple acquisitions done in Base mode is reported, as can be seen,

all acquisitions are organized in a table together with some practical information. An acquisition can

be selected and then, using the icons above the table (on the right side), it is possible to add a

comment, delete the acquisition, change the association between the acquisition and the detection

point, phase, sensors, etc. or it can be sent to the processing module.

In order to terminate the acquisition session, the Finish button (on the bottom-right side of the

window) can be clicked and all the acquisition, linked to the selected registry, are saved.

The Reset button (on the bottom-right side of the window) can be used to restart a new acquisition

session.
 Change Set
Acquisition data

Delete

Acquisition selection Add a Open in

comment Processing

Start the
Acquisition Terminate the
acquisition session

Figure 3-29 Examples of acquisitions done in base mode

3.10.2 ADVANCED MODE

The Advanced mode is the modality especially designed for the PD skilled operator. In this

acquisition modality, all parameters can be manually modified and more powerful features, as the T-

F Map filters, can be exploited during the acquisition sessions.

In Figure 3-30 the advanced acquisition window is shown, that interface layout is 3-phases oriented

as it is able to work with up to three PD channels simultaneously, depending on the capabilities of

the instrument in use.

In order to establish a connection to the instrument the IP address and the port number must be

inserted in the corresponding fields and then the Connect button has to be clicked.
 Connect Port number

IP address

Figure 3-30 Advanced acquisition window

Once the instrument has been reached and the connection has been established, the interface is

enabled as shown in Figure 3-31.

Start streaming

Channel 1

Channel 2

Channel 3

Figure 3-31 Advanced acquisition: instrument connection stabilized

Clicking on the play button on the upper-left part of the window the three channels will start streaming

simultaneously (Figure 3-32).

Start/Stop Simultaneous Sync detail Monitoring Sync

streaming Acquisitions Status Status

Connection
Status
Connect/
Disconnect Waveform
Graph

Three Channel
Streaming Part

Acquisition
Settings

Acquisition
Log

Figure 3-32 Advanced acquisition: three phases streaming

A brief description of each tool shown in Figure 3-32 is reorted below.

In the highest part of the window in Figure 3-32 a status bar (Figure 3-33) is available, where there

are:

• The icons dedicated to the Instrument connection, to Start/ Stop the streaming and to perform

Simultaneous acquisitions (Figure 3-33). In particular, by clicking the latter icon that is enable

according to the instrument capabilities, three simultaneous acquisitions are performed.

• The fields for the definition of the IP address and port number are needed for connecting the

software to the instrument.

• The indication of the sync frequency (in Hz) and the amplitude of the sync signal (in Volt).

• The indication of the enable/disable of the monitoring session, the status of the synchronizing

signal and finally, the instrument connection status.

 The sync indicator easily informs the operator if the instrument results to be correctly synced

with the frequency of the sync signal (e.g. 50 or 60 Hz).

Figure 3-33 Advanced acquisitions: status bar

On the right side, of the advanced acquisition window (Figure 3-32), and starting from the above

part, there are:

• The waveforms graph that represents the simultaneous streaming of the signals coming into

the three PD channels (Figure 3-34). Exploiting the channel selector (“All”, “1”, “2”, or “3”) an

operator can choose which waveforms he wants to point out.

With the selector below the waveform graph, the desired value of the pretrigger can be

chosen.

Channel
selector

Pretrigger
selector

Figure 3-34 Advanced acquisition: waveforms streaming

• The part dedicated to the acquisition parameters (Figure 3-35) where a skilled operator can

fix the settings according to the acquisition that he would like to perform. To clarify the

meaning of each of these parameters look into Table 1.

 Figure 3-35 Advanced acquisition: acquisition parameters

Table 1

Parameter Description

The short time after a Trigger event when a detector cannot

Dead Time
process another event

It is the total length of the displayed and acquired waveform for

Time length
each pulse

Acquisition timeout and Max pulse number are the parameters

Acquisition time out
relevant to each acquisition: the acquisition stops when the Max
and
pulse number is reached. In case the set number of pulses is not
Max pulse number
reached, the acquisition stops when the timeout is reached.

The pattern and the T-F Map will be reset when the number of
Buffer dimension
collected pulses reaches the buffer dimension.

• The acquisition log (Figure 3-36), where all the acquisitions that have been done are

organized in a table. Each row of the table and thus each acquisition, can be selected and

a comment can be added, they can be deleted or sent to the processing module.

Figure 3-36 Advanced acquisition: acquisition log

In the center of the advanced acquisition window (Figure 3-32), the part dedicated to the

simultaneous streaming of the three PD channels is placed (Figure 3-37).

Figure 3-37 Advanced acquisition: three channels simultaneous streaming part

In the list above the main tools of this area are described:

• Full scale: is the maximum value (positive and negative) displayed in the graphs (PRPD

Pattern and waveform graph), it is possible to change its value by writing the desired one in

the correspondent text box, or by clicking the relevant buttons.

• Trigger threshold: is the minimum amplitude that enables a waveform acquisition. Pulses

that do not reach the trigger value will be neither displayed nor acquired. It is possible to

change the trigger value by writing the desired value in the trigger text box or by moving the

trigger cursor on the right side of the PRPD Pattern.

• Phase shift: if the synchronization signal in use has a phase that is different from the voltage

applied to the insulating system, it is possible to shift the phase to the desired value by

means of this command.

 • PRPD Pattern: it shows a number of acquired pulses relating their maximum amplitude with

the phase of the synchronization signal (sinusoidal waveform). When the amount of data

reaches the maximum pulse number the software resets the pattern automatically.

• T-F Map: the points of the graph are related to the equivalent time length and the equivalent

frequency of the detected pulses. Each point in the Pattern corresponds to a point in the T-

F Map. Refer to ANNEX 5 for additional information about Time – Frequency mapping.

In the upper part of each channel (

Figure 3-38) an operator can select:

• The Circuit type in use: due to the fact that the PD identification algorithm uses also the pulse

polarity for an enhanced automatic diagnosis, it is necessary to set the right kind of

measurement circuit used for the selected channel. It can be Direct (e.g. a high-frequency

current transformer wrapped around the ground connection of the EUT, Equipment Under

Test) or Indirect (e.g. a coupling capacitor connected in parallel to the EUT).

• APTWTi acquisition: it generates a dataset in which the amplitudes and phases, the

equivalent time lengths and equivalent frequencies, and the time intervals are contained. To

perform this acquisition click the first icon of

• Figure 3-38 (where the sinusoid and the floppy disk are represented).

• Waveform acquisition: it generates a dataset with the same quantities of the APTWTi

acquisition plus the waveform per each acquired pulse. To perform this acquisition click the

second icon of

• Figure 3-38 (where a waveform and the floppy disk are represented).

• Link Set Acquisition Data: it recalls the window in Figure 3-28 where an operator can define

the association between the channel, the phase under test and the detection point. In this

way, the software can correctly correlate the acquisitions and the relevant phase and
 detection points. If dataset are linked, the queries fo the acquisitions are easier and smarter

as described in section 3.8.3.

• IEC60270 acquisition: the software enables the IEC60270 compliance. Since the peaks

amplitude is measured in pC a calibration has to be performed.

Acquisition APTWTi IEC60270

Circuit Type Acquisition modality

Waveform Link Set

Acquisition Acquisition data

Figure 3-38

With a right-click on the T-F Map:

• Reset buffer: reset the pulses present in the PD Pattern and T-F Map

• Show T-F Map Filter: recall the T-F Map filter window (see Par. 3.10.2.2)

• Reset filters: it deletes all T-F Map filters

• Disable T-F Map filters: it allows to disable the T-F Map filters without deleting them

3.10.2.1 Calibration window

Once the IEC60270 icon is clicked, the Calibration wizard, in Figure 3-39 and Figure 3-40, is

displayed. This procedure allows the operator to set the calibration pulse in order to obtain the PD

amplitude in pC values, in compliance with the International Standard IEC 60270.

 Load
calibration
Figure 3-39

Calibration
file name
Trigger
Full scale selector

Streaming
Waveform
Injected pC

Figure 3-40 Advanced acquisition: IEC60270 Calibration wizard

After having connected the calibrator to the EUT, insert the correct value in pC injected in the Injected

pC box. In order to save the calibration pulse select the related icon and click on the check icon. The

calibration will be saved with the name written in File Name box. If the Save calibration button is not

selected, the calibration will be applied only to the actual measurement session but not saved: the

calibration will be lost as soon as the Techimp PD instrument system is restarted.

It is also possible to load a previously saved calibration by clicking on the Load icon in the first step

of the wizard.In the second step of the Calibration wizard, the following warning could be exposed

(see Figure 3-41).

 Warning

Figure 3-41 Advanced acquisition: IEC 60270

This advises the operator that the saving feature is not allowed because the association between the
acquisition channel, the phase under test and the detection point has not been done yet. Hence, to
save the Calibration is required to the operator to previously make these associations by clicking on
the Link Set Acquisition Data icon (

Figure 3-38). In this way, the software can correctly correlate a Calibration with a phase of the

Equipment Under Test and a detection point.

3.10.2.2 Map filtering window

The T-F Map filter (see Figure 3-42) allows filtering signals through the T-F Map. In order to open

the window: right-click on the T-F Map >>> Show T-F Map filters.
 Drop-down
menu

Delete filters

Apply filters

Figure 3-42 Advance acquisition: Map filtering tool

By clicking and dragging the mouse on the Map it is possible to select the areas in the T-F Map

which have to be filtered. A letter indicating each selected area will appear in the drop-down menu

and the content of the list as default will be automatically discarded in the acquisition pulses. If more

filters have a common area overlapped, the total area will be processed (discarded) as a union of

the different areas.

With a double click on its area, a filter can be selected then it can be:

• Resized: through the cursor positioned on a filter border;

• Moved: through the cursor positioned inside a filter;

• Deleted: by clicking on the Canc button on the keyboard or clicking on the dedicated icon.

3.10.3 ADVANCED MODE FOR THE PDBASE INSTRUMENT

Between the acquisition window for the PDCheck, PDScope, Micro Aquila and Aquila and the ones

for the PDBase there are some differences explained in the following section. In Figure 3-43 the

advanced acquisition window for the PDBase is shown. As can be noticed the interface is very similar
to the ones presented in section Error! Reference source not found.. The main difference is the p

resence of the Channel selector (see Figure 3-43) through which an operator can choose on which

channel activate the streaming. In fact, with a PDBase, only one single channel can be active at a

time, the others can be maintained open but they will not have the streaming active.

Sync management

Channel selector

Channel selector

Channel selector

Figure 3-43 PDBase advanced acquisition: user interface

Another difference is the Sync management window. By clicking on Sync in the upper-right side of

the window in Figure 3-43 the Sync management interface in Figure 3-44 is presented. In the

Synchronization window, it is possible to visualize the waveforms of all the synchronization signals

and to set the relevant parameters.

 Channel selector

Full Scale

Time length

Filter bandwidth

Applied voltage

Figure 3-44 PDBase advanced acquisition: sync management window

It is possible to select each of the six different channels in the top of window in order to visualize the

relevant waveform. The editable parameters are described in the following:

• Time Length: it sets the waveform length of the synchronization signal. It can be changed using

the drop-down menu or moving the related cursor;

• Filter Band [Hz]: it allows to filter, via software, the synchronization signal. It is a low pass filter,

and the value of the cut frequency can be selected by the drop-down menu;

• Full Scale: it is the full scale of synchronization graph;

• Applied Voltage: it is possible to set the voltage applied to the EUT. The software automatically

set the ratio in accordance with the value read in the Sync Amplitude.
3.10.4 TEST PLAN MODE

The Test Plan mode is a Techimp PD Pro acquisition modality focused on quality tests or, in general,

on the operators that have to repeat the same test on the same asset typology several times. In this

working condition the software, based on the ongoing PD activity, automatically chooses the better

acquisition parameters as the Full Scale and the Trigger threshold and autonomously performs the

acquisition.

A measurement session is composed of different steps and of the related warning thresholds that

are completely customizable through the Techimp PD Pro Test Plan Editor module (see section

3.9). The operator has to simply check, during each step of the test, that the PD activity is below

such values.

In Figure 3-45 the Test Plan acquisition window is reported.

Connection
Status
IP address Port number Sync Status

Connect

Channel Step Specification

Phase Shift

Step number

Acquire Next test step

Figure 3-45 Test plan acquisition

To perform an acquisition follow the below procedure:

• Insert the instrument IP address and the Port number of the instrument (in the corresponding

boxes in the upper side of the window).

• Click on the Connect icon (on the upper-left side of the window).

• Select the channel number to utilize (upper-left side of the window, below the Connect icon).

• Set the acquisition information by means of the appeared wizard (Figure 3-28). In this window

it is possible to choose the phase under test, the detection point and the sensors utilized.

Then, click on the Apply button (Figure 3-28).

To simply perform tests and avoid these associations, in the window in Figure 3-25 the “Skip

acquisition association” must have previously enabled.

• Set the Phase Shift: if the synchronization signal in use has a phase that is different from the

voltage applied to the insulating system, it is possible to shift the phase to the desired value

by means of this command (Figure 3-45).

Phase analyzed

Detection point
in use PD sensor
in use

Sync
sensor
in use
PD Test type

Apply

Figure 3-46 Set acquisition information wizard

• To start the automatic acquisition click on the Play button on the bottom-left side of the

window in Figure 3-45. The software automatically defines the better values of Full Scale and

Trigger and will complete the acquisition. Per each step of the measurement procedure, if

more than one acquisition wants to be done, an operator can easily press the play button

again and a new acquisition will be done.

• When a sufficient number of measurements have been made for a step, the operator can

continue in the test and goes in the next step by clicking the Next icon on the bottom-left side

of the window.

• Per each step, as shown in Figure 3-47, the software asks the operator the result that can

be positive, doubt or negative in relation to the warning threshold of the step (for simplicity

the thresholds, per each step, are shown in the upper-right side of Figure 3-45).

Figure 3-47 Test plan acquisition: step result

• Figure 3-48 shows as the window appear when all steps have been done and the operator

has expressed the results per each step.

Acquisition
log

Finish Reset
button button

Steps
results

Figure 3-48 Test plan acquisition: all steps tested

• Finally, an operator can or click on the Reset icon in the bottom-right side of the window and

so starting a new identical measurement session or he can simply close the window. In both

cases, the software will ask the operator if a report has to be saved (Figure 3-49).

Figure 3-49 Test plan acquisition: report

In the central part of the window (Figure 3-48) the acquisitions performed in the test are listed in the

Acquisition log. An operator can select one or more acquisition in order to:

• Add a comment to the acquisitions

• Delete the acquisitions

• Change the Set Acquisition data

• Open the acquisitions in the Processing module

these operations can be easily done exploiting the icons in the upper-right side of the Acquisition log

(Figure 3-50).

Set
acquisition
data

Delete
Open the
Add a Processing
Acquisition comment module
log

Figure 3-50 Test plan acquisition: acquisition log

3.10.4.1 IEC60270

In the Test Plan Editor (Par. 3.9), during the definition of the Test Plan characteristics, it can be

expressed the requirement of performing the tests according to the IEC 60270. Since the peaks

amplitude is measured in pC a calibration has to be performed.

Before starting the measurement process the software will display the Calibration wizard (Figure

3-52). This procedure allows the operator to set the calibration pulse in order to obtain the PD

amplitude in pC values.

After having connected the calibrator to the EUT, insert the correct value of the pC injected in the

injected pC box. Change the value of Full Scale to avoid a saturated pulse displayed in the Waveform

graph and select a Trigger threshold higher enough to trigger just on the injected pulse and not on

the noise.
 Load
calibration

Figure 3-51

Calibration
file name

Full scale
Trigger
selector
Streaming
Waveform
Injected pC

Figure 3-52 Test plan acquisition: IEC60270 Calibration wizard

To save the calibration pulse select the related icon and then click on the Check icon. The calibration

will be saved with the name written in File Name box.

If the Save calibration button is not selected, hence the operator has selected simply the Check icon,

the calibration will be applied only to the actual measurement session but not saved: the calibration

will be lost as soon as the Techimp PD instrument system is restarted.

It is also possible to load a previously saved calibration by clicking on the Load icon in the first step

of the wizard.

During the definition of the IEC 60270 Test Plan, in the Test Plan Editor (Par. 3.9), a Calibration can

be loaded and, in this way, an operator will not be required to perform any calibration before the test.
 PROCESSING

The Techimp PD Pro processing module has the purpose of elaborating PD data exploiting several

fundamental tools that will be introduced and described in this paragraph.

In Figure 3-53 the main page of the processing module is reported. This window is composed of up

to six rows (being the representation of the instrument channels) in which the acquisitions can be

opened. Each row, in turn, is composed of three parts:

• The first part, on the left, in which all the acquisitions opened are listed. The acquisitions

saved with all the waveforms of the acquired pulses are highlighted by the green font.

• The second part, in the center of the window, in which the PRPD Pattern and the T-F Map

are shown together with information as the Full Scale, Trigger and phase shift. The previous

and next arrows, allow passing the data files in visualization one by one.

• The third part, on the right, in which the principal information related to the selected

acquisition is reported.

Add Advanced
acquisitions Processing
Acquisition
detail
Load new
acquisitions

Acquisition
selectors

Figure 3-53 Processing main page

In the window (Figure 3-53) on the upper-left side of each channel three icons are present:
 • Plus: other acquisitions can be added to those already present by clicking on this icon;

• Load New Acquisition: by clicking this icon the previously listed acquisitions will be replaced

by the selected ones;

• Advanced Processing: by clicking on the mechanical gear icon the sub-module dedicated

to the advancing processing tools are recalled (see Par. 0);

In the Processing main page, the operator can change the Full Scale value by writing the value in

its box or by clicking on the arrows buttons on the right as well as change the Phase Shift value by

writing the desired value or using the arrow buttons. These parameter changes are not permanent

(i.e. the PD file is not modified), but only temporarily applied to the PD Pattern graph in order to have

a better visualization of it.

With a right-click on the Pattern or on the T-F Map, the exposed data can be copied or exported, the

first command allows the operator to make a print screen, while the latter one will save the data in a

.csv file.
3.11.1 ADVANCED PROCESSING: MAIN PAGE

The Techimp PD Pro advanced processing (Figure 3-54) allows performing a deeper analysis of

PD stored data.

Main
page icon

PD tools

Waveform
slide bar Pointer cursor

Figure 3-54 Advanced processing: main page

The advanced processing window is composed of multiple PD tools, i.e. Separation, Pattern Filter,

Identification, TDR location, Pattern Movie, Trending and Report. Each tool has a dedicated icon

that can be activated and visualized in the Advanced window by clicking the relevant icon on the

upper-left part of the window.

On the opposite side to the PD tools, the Class list allows us to select and display on the PD Pattern

one of the Classes defined through the Separation tool (see 3.11.2 for more details about the logical

operation of the class definition). When no PD tool is activated the Advanced window shows the PD

Pattern and the T-F Map, moreover below of it, but only for waveform files, the waveform and pulse

spectrum graphs.
Moving the waveform slide bar in the central part of the window it is possible to plot all the waveforms

and pulse spectra of the loaded acquisition file.

The pointer cursors enabled shows the Amplitude and the Phase values of the selected pulse/dot

on the PD Pattern. If the pointer cursor is activated on T-F Map too each movement of one cursor

will move the other one accordingly over the corresponding dot on its Pattern graph.

The Full Scale and Phase Shift controls, in Figure 3-54, allow changing the Full Scale and phase

shift values, in order to get a better visualization of the pattern. It is possible to change these values

either by clicking the up and down arrows or writing the value in the relevant box. It is important to

set the proper Full Scale and Phase Shift because the automatic identification algorithm relies on

this information.

On the Pulse Spectrum and Waveform graphs, zooming can be performed by clicking with the left

mouse button on the pulse spectrum graph and dragging the cursor (or using the mouse scroll wheel)

in order to have a better visualization. To reset the visualization, right-click the mouse button and

select reset zoom.

3.11.2 ADVANCED PROCESSING: SEPARATION

Thanks to the Separation tool it is possible to select different clusters in the T-F Map in order to

separate different PD phenomena and analyze generated sub-patterns. To activate the Separation

tool select the Separation icon in the upper part of the window as shown in Figure 3-55.
 Class
selector
Separation Area
icon list

Separation
Map
Separation
result

Apply, reset and

delete icons

Sub Patterns

Figure 3-55 Advanced processing: separation page

In this window, an operator can see the Separation Map, the sub-patterns in the lower part, the class

list on the upside and the area list on the central part.

To perform the separation drag the mouse cursor on the Separation Map graph to define a

rectangular area that includes the desired portion of the Map. After the mouse button has released

a class is created and the software is ready for the definition of a new class. If an area needs to be

added in an existing Class it is sufficient to select the class with the Class selector, click on the

Separation Map graph and move the cursor to create a rectangle area on the portion of the

Separation Map desired.

To apply the separation click the check icon in the center part of the window. After it has applied the

cluster separation the generated sub-patterns appear in the lower part of the window.

Each class created by the Separation procedure is indicated by a letter and listed in the Area list.

A rectangular in the Separation Map can be selected by a double click on it (or selecting it in the

Area list), then it can be deleted by clicking on the trash bin icon (in the central part of the window),
it can be modified through the cursor when it is positioned onto its borders or moved when the cursor

is inside it. Once a rectangular is selected it can be deleted also clicking the Canc keyboard button.

The reset icon will delete all the rectangles created.

Class #0 includes all the pulses which do not belong to any other class, i.e. the dots that have not

been included in any rectangular area. If a certain area of the Map is selected for different classes,

then the pulses located in this area belong to the last defined class.

When all the desired classes are defined, it is possible to go back to the main page by clicking on

the house icon on the upper side of the window. As indicated in Figure 3-56 the sub-pattern relevant

to the class chosen with the class selector will be shown.

Class
selected

Figure 3-56 Advanced processing: main page after separation

3.11.3 ADVANCED PROCESSING: PATTERN FILTER

With the Pattern Filter tool, it is possible to perform manual filtering of PD Pattern. This is useful

when two or more phenomena are concentrated in the same region on the T-F Map and it is not

possible to perform a proper separation. To activate the Pattern filter tool click on the Pattern Filter

icon as shown in see Figure 3-57. This function is very important in order to get the correct

phenomenon identification.

Pattern Automatic Acquisition

Filter icon filtering circuit

Class
selector

Apply
filter

Figure 3-57 Advanced processing: pattern filter

First of all, the right setting of the Acquisition circuit (in the upper part of this window) must be

checked. On top of this window, there is a PD Pattern with colored lines that allow defining amplitude

and phase ranges, for positive and negative pulses. It is possible to move those lines using the

relevant arrows cursors.

Red lines define a region for positive pulses, while blue lines define a region for negative pulses. It

is noteworthy that the dots corresponding to positive pulses are plotted above the horizontal axis of

the PD Pattern if the Direct measurement circuit is selected. On the contrary, positive pulses are

plotted below the horizontal axis of the PD Pattern, if the Indirect measurement circuit is selected.
Once the filtering cursors have been set it is possible to view, on the low part of the window, a

preview PD Pattern, that shows only pulses inside regions defined through colored lines. To apply

this filter click on the check icon.

If a separation has been done it is possible to perform a different pattern filtering for each class. To

do this select a class through the Class selector, then define the filtering for that class.

With a right-click on the PD Pattern an operator can choose:

• Trigger: to show the Trigger level set during the file acquisition.

• Copy data: it allows to perform a print screen of the PD Pattern picture on your clipboard.

• Export data: it allows us to export the PD Pattern data in a .csv file.

While, with a right-click on the T-F Map an operator can choose:

• Reset clustering: resets the present class definition.

• Monochromatic / Color: enable or disable the colors on the T-F Map.

• Copy data: takes a snapshot of the T-F Map and saves it in the clipboard.

In order to support unskilled operators, an automatic filtering function is available in Techimp PD

Pro software. As a default, this tool is enabled when the Processing module is opened and, by

opening the Filter page (Figure 3-57), it is possible to check the output of the automatic filtering

function. First of all the right setting of the Acquisition circuit (in the upper part of this window) must

be checked then the output of the automatic filter algorithm could be modified by moving the cursors

in the PD Pattern.

It is possible to restore automatic filtering results by disabling and enabling the auto filtering again

clicking on the automatic filtering icon (see Figure 3-57).

3.11.4 ADVANCED PROCESSING: GENERIC IDENTIFICATION

By clicking on the Identification icon as shown in Figure 3-58, the operator can get a final response

in terms of PD Identification.

Identification
icon

Drop-down
menu

Figure 3-58 Advanced processing: identification

The system takes advantages of an architecture that evaluates the behavior of the PD phenomena

respect to the amplitude and phase distribution

As a first level, PD can be recognized within 6 classes:

1. Corona Discharges: the PD’s are recognized as discharges generated in open air or gas

between sharply shaped electrodes (needle-needle, needle-plate,…);

2. Surface Discharges: the PD’s are recognized as discharges that develop on the surface of

solid insulation materials, due to the cut component of the electric field to the surface;

3. Internal Discharges: the PD’s are recognized as discharges occurring in an air gap

completely surrounded by a solid dielectric, otherwise between the solid dielectric and a

metallic electrode; these discharges are generated by the normal component of the electric

field to the surface of the electrodes;

4. Noise: data acquired are recognized as noise.

 5. Not identified as PD in the asset: data have been wrongly acquired, so it’s impossible to

do any inference because of a large amount of unclassifiable data acquired; in this case, try

to filter again the pattern and retry to run the identification procedure;

6. Likelihood: express the grade of likelihood of the given identification;

On the lower-right side of the Identification window, a table of Diagnostic Indexes is given.

The red and the blue columns display respectively the parameter values for positive and negative

PDs. Table 2 for further information about the parameters calculated.

Table 2

Parameter Description

Qmax [V] The highest value of the recorded PDs;

The highest value of the recorded PDs evaluated with

QMax95% [V]
95% interval of confidence;

QMean [V] The mean amplitude of the recorded PDs;

QMin [V] The lowest PD amplitude detected;

The scale parameter of the best fitting Weibull

Alfa [V]
Distribution
The shape parameter of the best fitting Weibull
Beta
Distribution

N The number of pulses acquired;

N/s [1/s] The repetition frequency of the acquired PD;

The repetition rate as pulses per period of the applied

Nw
voltage;

Phi Max [°] The highest value of the measured phases;

Phi Mean [°] The mean value of the measured phases;

Phi Min [°] The lowest value of the measured phases;

3.11.4.1 Advanced identification

By expanding the drop-down menu showed in Figure 3-58 an operator can select (if the bought

license includes this feature) what kind of Equipment Under Test (EUT) the analyzed data are

referred to.

Figure 3-59 Advanced processing: advanced identification

3.11.5 ADVANCED PROCESSING: TDR LOCATION

Through the TDR location tool (if the bought license includes this feature) it is possible to locate the

PD source along a cable circuit affected by PD activity using the Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR)

technique. The distance between the measuring point and the PD source is obtained from the time

delay among the PD pulse and its reflections generated at cable terminations.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This tool is available only for waveform files.

To activate the TDR Location select the TDR Location icon as shown in Figure 3-60.
 Third
First part
part
TDR location
icon

Second
Slide bar
part

Average
pulse
Fourth
part

Figure 3-60 Advanced processing: TDR location

PD Localization window (Figure 3-60) is divided into four sections:

• In the upper part of the window, the waveform of each acquired pulse is reported. Moving the

horizontal slide bar below the upper waveform graph it is possible to plot all the waveforms

of the loaded acquisition file.

• The second section (on the central left) shows the plot of the average pulse of the acquisition.

To use the average pulse for location purposes is useful because background noise

amplitude is reduced.

• If the average pulse waveform is still affected by background noise it is possible to modify

low and high cut-off frequency through the Waveform Filtering (third section on the right part

of Figure 3-60).

• The fourth section (on the bottom side) shows the location of PD source with respect to the

measuring point after the cursor positions and the cable data have been properly provided,

as described in the following.

In single and average pulse waveform there are three vertical cursors, the blue one represents the

PD pulse (t1), the red one indicates the first reflection (t2), and the grey represents the second

reflection (t3). Using the mouse scroll wheel a zoom of the waveforms can be made to easily adjust

the three cursors.

NOTE: To adequately perform the location the cursors must be carefully positioned:

the blue one on the PD pulse, the red one on the first reflection and the green one

on the second reflection. This operation must be done manually. It is suggested to

place the cursors on the rising point of the pulse not on the peak point as shown in

Figure 3-61.

Figure 3-61 Advanced processing: TDR location with proper positioning of the cursors

Once the three cursors have been placed, the user can proceed to the PD source location. In the

left part of the fourth section, the propagation speed of the pulse and total cable length are indicated

(input by the user) while on the right there is the difference between t3 and t1 and between t2 and

t1. These parameters, as well as L1 and L2, are calculated automatically according to propagation

speed and total cable length.

 NOTE: inserting one of the two values (propagation speed or total cable length),

the other is automatically determined by the cursor positions.

3.11.6 ADVANCED PROCESSING: PATTERN MOVIE

Pattern movie tool allows visualizing the real-time sequence of detected pulses that occurred during

the measurement. To activate the Pattern movie tool select the Pattern Movie icon as shown in

Figure 3-62.

Identification
icon

Black
cursor

Progress
bar
Speed cursor
regulator

Figure 3-62 Advanced processing: pattern movie

On the PD Pattern, it is possible to follow the movement of a black cursor that constantly spots the

position of the last pulse that occurred during the acquisition time sequence, like a movie. A vertical

cursor is reported on the right side of the pattern by which the refresh speed of the pattern may be

changed.

On the bottom of the PD Pattern there is a progress bar that indicates the movie progress.
With a right-click on the PD Pattern an operator can choose:

• Trigger: to show the Trigger level set during the file acquisition.

• Copy data: it allows to perform a print screen of the PD Pattern picture on your clipboard.

• Export data: it allows us to export the PD Pattern data in a .csv file.

While, with a right-click on the T-F Map an operator can choose:

• Reset clustering: resets the present class definition.

• Monochromatic / Color: enable or disable the colors on the T-F Map.

• Copy data: takes a snapshot of the T-F Map and saves it in the clipboard.

3.11.7 ADVANCED PROCESSING: TRENDING

Thanks to the trending tool it is possible to plot the evolution of PD phenomena over time.

To activate the Trending tool select the Trending icon as shown in Figure 3-63.

Trending
icon

Selectable
quantities

Figure 3-63 Advanced processing: trending

To get a correct trending of PD parameters, before opening the Advanced Processing window, the

acquired file, that we would like to add in the trend, must be opened in the same row of the

Processing module main page (Figure 3-53).

It is possible to choose what variables to plot by selecting the desired ones in the bottom part of the

window. The selectable quantities are:

• Qmax 95%: 95% percentile of the PD amplitude distribution;

• Nw: the repetition rate as pulses per period of the applied voltage;

• N: the number of acquired pulses;

• V Synch: the amplitude of synchronization voltage signal, RMS;

• Applied voltage: the amplitude of applied voltage, RMS;

• Synchronization frequency: the frequency of the synchronization voltage signal;

IMPORTANT NOTE: Each class corresponds to a specific region of T-F Map;

when we look after the trend of a specific class the program looks only after the

trend of this specific region in the T-F Map. This logic of calculation may lead to

unexpected results of the trend because Classification maps may be quite

different among files acquired at different times.

For each point of the trend, it is possible to visualize the relevant PD Pattern and T-F Map by clicking

on it. Using the mouse scroll wheel a zoom of the graph can be made.

With a right-click on the PD Pattern an operator can choose:

• Trigger: to show the Trigger level set during the file acquisition.

• Copy data: it allows to perform a print screen of the PD Pattern picture on your clipboard.

• Export data: it allows us to export the PD Pattern data in a .csv file.

A right-click on the T-F Map allows the operator to choose between:

• Reset clustering: resets the present class definition.

• Monochromatic / Color: enable or disable the colors on the T-F Map.

• Copy data: takes a snapshot of the T-F Map and saves it in the clipboard.

While, with a right-click on the Trend graph it can be chosen:

• Copy data: takes a snapshot of the Trend graph and saves it in the clipboard.

3.11.8 ADVANCED PROCESSING: REPORT

Thanks to the Report tool it is possible to automatically generate a summary report in which all the

analyses results are inserted. An operator can click on the Report icon to lunch the generation of the

document, as shown in Figure 3-64.

Report Available file

icon extensions

Report forwarding
through mail

Figure 3-64 Advanced processing: report

In the first part of the document general information about the measurement campaign and the asset

are reported while, in the following parts, the entire PD Pattern and T-F Map together with the results

of the separation and PD identification.

4 ANNEX A: PD Pattern Library

NOTE: all patterns represented in the following pictures are acquired in indirect polarity.

INTERNAL PD

Spherical void in epoxy (low overvoltage) Spherical void in epoxy (low overvoltage)

Spherical void in epoxy (low overvoltage) Spherical void in epoxy (large overvoltage)
Spherical void in epoxy, sharp electrodes Internal PD with strongly divergent field

Metallic protrusion with tree Treeing in epoxy

Multiple voids Multiple voids

Flat cavity Internal PD in MV capacitor

Slot discharges in rotating machine Distributed microvoids

Embedded delamination in a rotating machine Conductor-side delamination in a rotating

winding machine winding

PD within oil-impregnated pressboard
 SURFACE PD

Insulated HV conductor on grounded metallic Insulated HV conductor on grounded metallic

plane (low overvoltage) plane (large overvoltage)

Insulated HV conductor on grounded metallic Insulated HV conductor on grounded metallic

plane (large overvoltage) plane (large overvoltage)

Surface PD on cable termination Surface PD on cable termination

PD on stress grading system of a VPI rotating PD on stress grading system of a resin-rich

machine with taped grading system rotating machine with painted grading system

External PD on a rotating machine HV PD on ceramic insulators associated with salt

connection fog pollution

 CORONA PD

Needle on high voltage electrode (low Needle on high voltage electrode (low

overvoltage) overvoltage)

Needle on high voltage electrode (large Needle on high voltage electrode (large

overvoltage) overvoltage)

Needle on high voltage electrode (large Needle on high voltage electrode (large

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

overvoltage) overvoltage)

Needle on high voltage electrode (discharges

from both HV and ground electrode)

5 ANNEX B - Time-Frequency mapping

This measurement approach allows the signals detected, sampled and acquired to be gathered into

homogeneous clusters based on the shapes of the signals. Signals coming from the same sources

are characterized by similar shape parameters. Such shape parameters are the equivalent time

length (T) and the equivalent frequency (F) and they are calculated according to the following

equations (1) to (4).

L
(1)
s (t ) = s(t )  s( ) d
2

being s(t) the normalized PD signal,

L
t0 =  ts (t ) 2 d t (2)
0

being t0 the “gravity center” of the normalized signal,

L
(3)
T=  (t − t ) s (t )
2 2
0 dt
0

being T the equivalent time length, and


2
(4)
F= f
2
S( f ) d f
0

being F the equivalent frequency.

The decomposed PD signals are then plotted in an XY graph, the T-F map. By means of this graph,

it is possible to separate the different phenomena and relate them to the sources that can be noise,

other typologies of disturbances or to real defects.

Figure 5-1 shows an example of a separation of the detected signals of a PD acquisition into three

clusters, each one belonging to a different signal source relevant to the color of the cluster. The

resulting PRPD sub-patterns are built according to the separation carried out in the T-F map and are

relevant to different phenomena. Such separation (that can be automatic or manual) allows an easier

identification of the source, focusing on the characteristic patterns.

Figure 5-1: an example of separation of signals by means of the T-F map clusters.

Moreover, the T-F map separation allows tracking the time behavior of each single phenomenon,

avoiding the raising of false alarms caused by the superposition of contributions from different

sources.
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measurement automation development energy innovation measurement automation development energy innovation measurement automation development

asurement automation developm ent energy measurement a

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