Online Partial Discharge Testing

Partial discharge

Online Partial Discharge Testing: ‐

Online Partial Discharge Testing is performed online without disrupting plant or facility operations. This non‐destructive, non‐invasive predictive maintenance tool assesses the condition of switchgear, feeder cables, and bus duct to provide critical information regarding levels of partial discharge and its potential impact on the health of the electrical asset. The cost to perform online testing is relatively inexpensive compared with offline testing that requires interruption of service and production. For critical facilities that operate 24x7, online testing is considered the single best option for detecting insulation condition.

 

partial discharge

Technology:

·         ACOUSTIC METHOD

·         ULTRASONIC DETECTION

·         HFCT

 Acoustic Method:‐Acoustic partial discharge measurement can be easily applied on AIS

without the need of interrupting the operation. Acoustic Partial discharge measurements rely

on close acoustic contact of the area producing discharge. This method is also very effective in

localization of PD.

 Ultrasonic Detection: ‐

All electrical equipment produces a broad range of sound. The basic electrical problems that

produce distinct ultrasound waves that can be detected by Ultrasonic Testing include partial

discharge, corona and tracking. Ultrasonic measurement is most powerful on comparative basis

and will significantly increase the reliability of correct detection of partial discharge.

 HFCT

HFCT is used to detect high frequency current pulse discharging through earth from system

ground. It is also helpful in getting PD Pattern.

PD Tolerance Levels for Switchgear: ‐

mV Level	Condition and Action
< 6	Discharge within acceptable limits*
6‐12	Monitoring recommended  (Recommended to conduct PD after 1 year.)
12‐32	Regular monitoring recommended (Recommended to conduct the PD after 5‐6 months. The panel having increasing trends in PD value should be monitored with help of IR thermography immediately.
> 32	Major concern, located PD with alternate technology

Benefits of On-Line Partial Discharge Field Measurements

·         It is truly a predictive test, indicating insulation degradation in advance of the failure.

·         It is a nonintrusive test, requiring no interruption of service and is performed under
normal operating voltage, load and environmental conditions.

·         It is a nondestructive test; it does not test to failure or adversely affect the equipment under test in any way.

·         It does not use any overvoltage, thereby not exposing the tested equipment to higher voltage stresses than those encountered under normal operating conditions.

·         Trending can be accomplished by storing baseline measurement results to allow comparison with future tests.

·         In many instances the site of the partial discharge occurrence can be located within
the cable/plant under test, so the localised problem can be repaired.

·         The cost to perform a PD-
survey is relatively inexpensive compared with off-line testing, allowing annual surveys to be performed economically at most facilities.

Examples of HV & MV Plant that can be tested

·         Cables and Cable Accessories (terminations and joints)

·         Switchgear (AIS, SIS and GIS)

·         Instrument transformers (voltage and current)

·         Power transformers and bushings

·         Motors and generators

·         Surge arrestors

·         Capacitors