UNTI - V

Measurement of d.c. Resistivity

Specimens and Electrodes
 The specimen shape and the electrode arrangement should be
such that the resistivity can be easily calculated. For a solid
specimen, the preferable shape is a flat plate with plane and
parallel surfaces, usually circular.
 The specimens are normally in the form of discs of 5 to 10cm
diameter and 3 to12mm thickness.
 If the electrodes are arranged to be in contact with the surfaces
of the specimen, the measured resistance will be usually greater
due to the surface conductivity effects.
 The electrode which completely covers the surface of the
specimen is called the “unguarded” electrode and is connected to
the high voltage terminal.
 The third electrode which surrounds the other measuring
electrode is connected to a suitable terminal of the measuring
circuit.
 The width of this "guard“ electrode must be at least twice the
thickness of the specimen, and the unguarded electrode must
extend to the outer edge of the guard electrode.
 The gap between the guarded and guard electrodes should be as
small as possible.
 The effective diameter of the guarded electrode is greater than
the actual diameter and is given as follows.
 Let r1, r2, and r be the radii of the guarded electrode, guard
electrode including the gap, and the effective radius of the
guarded electrode. Let the gap width = g and the specimen
thickness = t.
Electrode Materials
 For accurate measurements, the electrodes should have very
good contact with the surface of the insulator specimen.
 Hence, it is necessary to use some type of thin metallic foil
(usually of lead or aluminum of about 10 to 50micro meters
thickness), usually pressed on to the surface by a roller and
made to stick by using a conducting adhesive like petroleum
jelly or silicone grease.
 The electrodes are made simultaneously by cutting out a narrow
strip by means of a compass provided with a narrow cutting
edge.
 Some times conducting silver paint is also used for electrode
deposition.
Measuring Cells
 The three terminal electrode system and the measuring cell used
are shown in Fig.
 The measuring cell is usually a shallow metal box provided with
insulating terminals.
 The box it self is connected to the guard electrode and is
grounded if the guard terminal is grounded.
 The connecting lead for the guarded electrode is taken through a
shielded wire.
 In case the unguarded electrode is grounded, the entire box is to
be placed on insulated supports and is to be placed in a grounded
shield to eliminate induced voltages, and the lead from the guard
electrode is doubly shielded.
 In the simple two terminal system, the measuring cell itself is
the grounded support for the specimen and a small solid wire is
connected to the high voltage terminal of The measuring circuit,
as can be seen from below Fig this is a simple and compact
arrangement for quick measurements and requires less skill.
 The arrangement used for the should still allow easy
study of liquids is shown in disassembling and cleaning.
Fig. This consists of an outer
cylindrical case and an inner
cylinder with a cylindrical
guard electrode.
 The opposing surfaces of the
measuring electrodes should be
carefully finished to give a
polished surface, and a uniform
spacing of about 0.2 5mm is
maintained.
 The insulation should be able
to maintain the alignment of
the electrode even at the
highest temperatures used and
 Another simple arrangement of accurately maintained.
the three electrode system for The arrangement requires less
the study of liquids is shown in liquid (usually only about 1 to
Fig. 2ml).
 This consists of a metallic
cylindrical container with
concentric hollow cylindrical
electrodes as guard and
guarded electrodes.
 The inner surface of the
container electrode(unguarded)
and the outer surfaces of the
guard and unguarded
electrodes should be carefully
finished and a clearance of
about 0.25 to 0.5mm should be
 Partial Discharge Measurement
Introduction
 Earlier the testing of insulators and other equipment was based on
the insulation resistance measurements, dissipation factor
measurements and breakdown tests.
 It was observed that the dissipation factor (tan ) was voltage
dependent and hence became a criterion for the monitoring of the
high voltage insulation.
 In further investigations it was found that weak points in an
insulation like voids, cracks, and other imperfections lead to
internal or intermittent (stopping and starting at irregular intervals)
discharges in the insulation.
 Introduction
 These imperfections being small were not exposed in capacitance
measurements but were exposed as power loss components in
contributing for an increase in the dissipation factor (loss factor).
 In modern terminology these are designated as “partial discharges”
which in course of time reduce the strength of insulation leading to
a total or partial failure or break down of the insulation.
 Electrical insulation with imperfections or voids leading to partial
discharges can be represented by an electrical equivalent circuit
shown in Fig.
Introduction
 Partial Discharge Phenomenon
 The following terminology is often used in partial discharge
detection and as such their definitions are of importance:
Electrical Discharge
 The movement of electrical charges through an insulating
(dielectric) medium, initiated by electron avalanches.
Partial Discharge
 An electrical discharge that only partially bridges the dielectric or
insulating medium between two conductors.
 Examples are: internal discharges, Surface discharges and corona
discharges.
 Internal discharges are discharges in cavities or voids which lie
inside the volume of the dielectric or at the edges of conducting
inclusions in a solid or liquid insulating media
 Partial Discharge Phenomenon
 Surface discharges are discharges from the conductor into a gas
or a liquid medium and form on the surface of the solid
insulation not covered by the conductor.
 Corona is a discharge in a gas or a liquid insulation around the
conductors that are away or remote from the solid insulation.