Comparative studies of non-conventional Auskoppelver-go to the

partial discharge measurement on medium voltage switchgear

comparison of different PD decoupling methods for PD Measure
Prof. K. Reth Meier, FH Kiel, kay.rethmeier@fh-kiel.de
R. Hatters, ABB Calor Emag, Ratingen
Dr. A. Kraetge, P. Hoek, OMICRON electronics, Klaus, Austria

Short version
Fully encapsulated medium voltage switchgear will be usually with voltage indicators according to IEC 61243-5 ("Live
working - Voltage detectors - Part 5: Voltage Detecting System (VDS)" for the unique identification of the voltage
freedom. Many manufacturers of these capacitive measuring probes also specify these capacitors on the partial
discharge measurement. Due to the construction and the operating principle of these sensors is a standard-compliant ka-
libri erbare PD measurement according to IEC 60270 is not possible.
There is also the possibility of partial discharge pulses to the switchgear by inductive sensors at the cable inlet guides to
pair. Also here is the calibratable nature according to IEC 60270 usually not given.
On the basis of multiple artificial TE-dropouts within real switchgear fields were in the high-voltage test field of a
switchgear manufacturer comparison measurements with capacitive decoupling of LRM sensors from inductive
coupling with HFCT's and IEC-compliant TE-extraction by means of an external coupling capacitor. Through the use of
a multi-channel vollsynchronen-PD measuring system could guarantee that every time identical PD pulses were
compared with each other. In contrast to the channel switchover with multiplexers, in the various periods of time with
temporary variable PD activity compared, was so the basic statistical overall awareness of the PD pulses equal to what a
serious comparison only. The performed measurements showed depending on TE-type is an achievable measuring
sensitivity of down to 5 pC.

Abstract
With test measurements on a medium voltage GIS it could be shown that LRM-sensor, connected to the capacitive layer
of the cable bushing, as well as inductive PD sensor, connected to the cable's screen, showed comparable results to the
conventional PD measurement in accordance to the IEC standard 60270. Different PD defects down to 5 pC IEC-level
could be detected with comparable PRPD Pattern with all sensor. Nevertheless, a quantitative comparison of the
detected PD levels in terms of pico coulomb ("pC") is not easily possible, as in "IEC-level" is simply not defined for
non-conventional PD decoupling techniques. Alternatively, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) can be taken into account to
indicate the amplitude of PD in this case.
With the IEC method being precisely defined quiet, the measurement procedure for the non-conventional sensor needs
some basic understanding of the nature of high-frequency PD pulse propagation. A non-linear signal spectrum, caused
by the frequency spectrum of the PD pulse, by the spectrum of the connecting wires and structures, by the spectrum of
the PD sensor and by external disturbances can lead to frequency resonances which can be used to decouple positively
high level PD signal. For some tests the non-conventional sensor did show no PD activity due to very low noise levels
and high PD.

1 Introduction TE-level at different test voltage high) and boundary

The measurement of Partial Discharge (PD) is international
by the standard IEC 60270:2000 [1] . As a horizontal base
standard will be inevitably only generally valid, i.e. not
operating appropriations specific, taken statements or
requirements are defined. The standard refers among other
things in the Appendix C to the particularities of different
special equipment, such as cables, GIS, power capacitors
and operating funds of windings. Other equipment-specific
standards, e.g. IEC 62271-200:2011 [2] for GIS to 52kV)
are therefore more precisely to the requirements (e.g.
permissible
conditions.
The further focusing the IEC 60270 in the essential on the
"laboratory test circuit" with external high-voltage source,
lock impedance, coupling capacitor and measuring
impedance. This conventional auskoppelart can however
with online-TE-measurements in the rule is not applicable,
since the parallel switching of external coupling
capacitance at least is not practical or even impossible
(space, security, ...). When fully ge-cape up high voltage
bodies such as GIS, exis-Gonna often no direct access to
the high-voltage, so that the design means coupled to the
high-
Voltage potential is not possible. This leads to problems in
determining the voltage in the case of maintenance work at
the switchgear ('the five safety rules"). Here you can then
special sensors or measuring probes are applied which
according to IEC 61243-5:1997 [3] as the voltage indicator
fail-SIG. These capacitive sensors also allow, even if
limited, TE-insight into the switchgear. But it is obvious
that because of the numerous and large differences to the
conventional PD measuring procedure significant
deviations from the laboratory test results are to be
expected.
In addition to the voltage indicators can PD signals by
inductive sensors that are grounded to position parts are
attached to the parts of the send to MES-TE-current flow
[4]. Here are the cable-lein tours during which access to Figure 1 Structure of the switching panel P15 and
the shield wire-ten of the single-phase medium voltage electrical connection diagram
cables.
The large number of non-conventional Auskoppelar-ten
easier to design, the Technical Committee TC42 WG14 at 3 Used Test Voltage Source
the time the standard IEC 62478 ('high-voltage test
The 50Hz-Prufspanung was replaced by a single-phase
techniques - Measurement of partial discharges by
transformer. The maximum test voltage was made
electromagnetic and acoustic methods "Proposed
according to the assessment of the test specimen on
Horizontal Standard""). The date of the in-force is March
48kVrms .
2015. CIGRE available is already a guide for
unconventional PD measurements [5].
The following statements describe a synchronen 4 PD measuring system
comparison of the three methods of measurement on a-
telspannungs-switching system with artificial TE- For the PD measurement, the digital synchronous Mehrka-
dropouts. nals ystem MDP 600 [6] with an analog input bandwidth
of 20MHz is used. The wide input frequency range
allowed for optimal adaptation to the given TE
2 Description of the test specimen measurement sensors. The ability to syn-chronen
acquisition of PD pulses enabled, as opposed to
The TE-measurements in the laboratory were made at two
sequentially working multiplexers, a direct comparison of
gekoppel-ten cable entry fields that have a solid insulated
identical TE-signals, detected by different sensors.
busbar system were linked. The switching field with the
name "P18" is for a rated current of 2500A designed (two
cable connector per phase), switching box ,,P15", with 5 TE-sensors
schaltba-ren voltage transformers, for 1250A (see figure
1). The bushings have a capacitive carpet that has a LRM- The PD acquisition took place in different ways. For the
C-sensor is accessible to the outside and as TE-sensor was conventional reference measurement was a 1nF-coupling
used. capacitor (OMICRON MCC 205) in classic IEC-
The switching system parts were for all test measurements compliant structure are used. For inductive decoupling to
connected with each other, all separator and power switch the TE-cable shields (cable entry of P15 and P18) cable
in the closed state. The cable exports were each with three export came a high frequen-Zwan dealer (OMICRON
short test adapters equipped. All measurements were made MCT 100) with an approximately line making band pass
single-phase with corona protection hoods on the outer transfer behavior of 800kHz to 8MHz to use (see figure
connection points. Not under-voltage the following phases 2).
were grounded via the adapter cable.
Figure 2 coupling capacitor and HFCT to TE-extraction

For capacitive TE-decoupling has been implementing a

currency with embedded membrane electrode used (p.
from-education 3).

Figure 5 Overview of measuring setup

Figure 3 Implementation with measuring carpet (red
arrow)
Together with an external LRM-coupling unit (see figure
4) and the input impedance of the PD measuring system
was a capacitive divider to TE-decoupling.
6 calibration
The TE-calibration was performed with a hand calibrator
(OMICRON CAL 542) at the introductory test adapter
cable of the switching panel P18.For the PD measurement
channel 1 (conventional PD measurement with coupling
capacitor) could thus a IEC-compliant measurement can
be implemented. For the rest of the measuring channels
was in the stricter sense, no calibration, but a "Check-of-
Performance". Figure 6 shows an overview of the five
TE-measuring points recorded calibration pulses of
100pc.

Image 4 external LRM-Coupling unit

Figure 5 shows the complete measuring setup with the five

PD measuring stations (referred to as unit 1.1 to unit 1.5)
and the sensors (inductive MCT's, capacitive LRM's and
Figure 6 Overview of calibration, including signal spectra
coupling capacitor MCC) in the overview.
In general it should be noted that the displayed TE-level of
the non-conventional measuring channels only as of
Anhalt-point. As the indicator "TE yes/no", or to
determine the PD inception voltage PDIV are the se-
measured values in principle but suitable. To achieve
higher measuring signals and to improve the signal-to-
noise distance was in the case of non-conventional
measuring channels occasionally by the "calibrated"
frequency settings of the TE-Band Pass Filter deviated.
44.6 8pC at 100pC infeed. In the lower part of the window
is a black curve The frequency spectrum of the calibrator
pulse, influenced by the pulse propagation path to
recognize. The significant deviation from the input signal
(45pC instead of 100pC) is by the Schwes-terei nature
acquired calibration factor to explain. This is not a spread-
related pulse damping, but about the influence of the non-
linear frequency spectrum of the sensor.

Figure 6 shows in detail the following: 7 Investigation of TE-dropouts

6.1 Unit 1.1
Conventional acquisition (100kHz to 260kHz band-pass)
via coupling capacitor in switchgear panel P18. Display
1.1 on the upper part of the window with 98.8 8pC at
100pC infeed. In the lower part of the window is a green
cure-VE is the frequency spectrum of the calibrator pulse,
influenced by the pulse propagation path to recognize.
There were some classic and typical plant TE-dropouts is
7.1 Koro eel reference attempt was on
the outside of the cable test adapter A
corona wire on high-voltage potential.
created and measured.

6.2 Unit 1.2

Inductive sensing using HFCT on shift field P18. Display
1.2 on the upper part of the window with 98.9 9pC at
100pC infeed. In the lower window is as blue spa-VE is
the frequency spectrum of the calibrator pulse, influenced
by the pulse propagation path to recognize. The calibration
factor is determined here is this measuring channel has
been configured for the same "heavy"-channel on the
control panel P15.

6.3 Unit 1.3

Inductive sensing using HFCT on shift field P15. Display
1.3 on the upper part of the window with 9,73pC at 100pC
infeed. In the lower window as orangefar-bene curve The
frequency spectrum of the Kalibratorimpul-ses, influenced
by the pulse propagation path to it-know. The significant
deviation from the input regular-nal (9pC instead of
100pC) is by the Schwes-terei nature acquired calibration
factor to explain. This is not a spread-related pulse Figure 7 corona wire to high voltage
damping, but about the influence of the non-linear
frequency spectrum of the sensor. At a test voltage of 4kV could with the conventional
measuring circuit TE with approx. 22pC level detection-
Gonna. Figure 8 shows the acquired PD signals of all five
6.4 Unit 1.5
measuring stations.
Capacitive sensing using LRM-Sensor to Control Panel
P18. Display 1.5 on the upper part of the window with
98.2 7pC at 100pC infeed. In the lower part of the
window as a red curve is the frequency spectrum of the
Kalibratorimp-ulses, influenced by the pulse propagation
path to it-know. The calibration factor is determined here
is this measuring channel has been configured for the
same "heavy"-channel on the control panel P15.

6.5 Unit 1.4

Capacitive sensing using LRM-Sensor to Control Panel
P15. Display 1.4 on the upper part of the window with
Figure 8 measuring result corona wire
As previously explained, the charge level (pC-value) of the
measuring channels 2 to 4 only serve as an indicator for TE
to understand. In this case it is not an indicator for a
spread-related signal attenuation. The displayed TE-level is
more of a "Random product", due to the
The center frequency of the selected TE-filter on a b) Inductive MCT-Sensor
c) LRM-C sensor
resonance-based TE-signal range. This is particularly good
in the capacitive sensor 1.5 to recognize the one about 8 Figure 10 direct comparison of three types of extraction
times the excessive level relative to the IEC reference
measurement shows. For all types of extraction, the TE- 7.3 Free potential
error "Korona" but can be reliably detected. For the simulation of an assembly error was a weak
conductive cap on the busbar ent-fernt (see fig. 11). As a
7.2 System without artificial defects result was a metal working-consolidation there is no
To assess the quality of the switchgear was to be examined defined potential assigned.
the test voltage up to the use of plant-based TE increases.
The achieved the PD inception voltage was far above the
maximum on-laid test/PD measuring voltage according to
IEC, so that the observed PD behavior is not based on a
poor quality switchgear, but only on a consciously not
forced interpretation just internal field indicates the load.

Figure 9 Measurement result without artificial TE-false

body at high test voltage

It can be seen that the occurring TE of all sensors, even if

in a different way, it can be recorded. Figure 10 shows in
the direct comparison that various physical TE phenomena
(see also marks in Fig. 10) with different amplitudes of the
three types of extraction (IEC, inductive, capacitive) have
been registered.

Figure 11 assembly error free potential"

Typical for the TE-error image "free potential" could at a

test voltage of 30kV amplitude same TE in the area of the
zero crossings of the test voltage will be documented (Fig.
12).

A) IEC
measurement
Figure 12 free potential, histograms of all 5 Auskop-pels
hut
Due to the low level of TE, the te of the capacitive LRM
sensors not detected. A gilded horses-rung of the potential
error free capacity, then already at approx. 7kV to higher
TE-levels, from all 5 types of extraction could be detected
(Figure 13).
Figure 13 histograms of all 5 extraction points
7.4 missing blanking plug
To position a further assembly error was fixed voltage do
not use blanking plugs of the cable-lein guide loose. At a
test voltage of 22kV 2,4nC TE of approximately could be
measured. Figure 14 shows the fertilizer recorded
histograms of all 5 measuring stations in comparison.
Figure 15 missing blanking plugs, histograms of all 5
extraction points
7.5 Defective Voltage Converter
On phase L3 was a defective internal voltage converter is
switched on. Figure 16 shows that the 38,5kV with
approx. 7pC Auskoppelar TE covered by all-ten successful
could be registered.
A) IEC (b) MCT (c) LRM-C
Figure 16 defective voltage converter
7.6 Faulty Test Adapter Cable
For the investigation of cavity-TE-behavior was a faulty
adapter cable to the switchgear is connected. Figure 17
shows that the typical arc-shaped PD patterns in the area of
the zero passes through all the extraction types could be
registered. Merely the most from the defective cable placed
pazitive sensor 1.5 KA-TE-this could not see error type.
Figure 17 defective adapter cable, histograms of all 5
extraction points
7.7 reduced GasdruckZur Gasverlustes
was the simulation of a SF6 system
pressure of 1,4bar to 930mbar is reduced.
Image-manure 18 shows that the
generated TE of all 5 sensors could be
detected.
Figure 18 reduced gas pressure, histograms of all 5-
coupling points
8 Online-TE-Measurements
To test the online capabilities of the TE-decoupling of
capacitive sensors have been LRM test measurements on
operating medium voltage switchgear. Figure 19 shows a
three-channel PD measuring system, what about the LRM
voltage taps to a switchgear is connected field-sen.
Figure 19 online-TE measurement on the LRM-sensors
Figure 20 shows the PD patterns of the three phases. By
suitable selection of the TE-filter parameters could be TE-
activity on phase L1 demonstrated. In addition to a variety
of external interference pulses are in the range of the
voltage zero crossings PD patterns to identify.
A provision of the TE-error location was on this
measurement is not possible.
Figure 20 TE-model L1, L2 and L3 for operating voltage
9 Summary
In various artificial TE-dropouts (corona, free potential,
cavity-TE, various assembly error) could be replaced by
synchronous multi-channel PD measurement ge shows
that in addition to the conventional TE-decoupling
according to IEC also non-conventional measuring
methods to deliver usable results. This could be in the rule
by inductive TE-extraction on the cable shield of the
system supplying cable, as well as to the capacitive LRM
voltage measurement taps, to IEC measurement
comparable TE-pattern (PRPD pattern). If there is
sufficient signal to noise ratio could by all types of
extraction of TE-use, and to ensure that the TE-Use
Voltage PDIV detected. A pe yellow ranking in the
meaning of pico coulomb is however (de-Fini tion) only in
the case of IEC-measurement possible. Depending on the
selected measuring frequency range, resonance-related
non-linear signal spectra to almost beliebi-gen measuring
levels.
For the case that a conventional PD measurement is not
possible (e.g. lack of accessibility to the high-voltage) are
investigated here measuring methods sensible alternatives
to determine the PD inception voltage (PDIV) and the
phase resolution TE histograms (PRPD). By cyclic
repetition measurements with identical measuring
configuration is also possible with this test procedure a
TE-trend to be observed and thus the risk potential of the
switching system to evaluate. Also for a permanent and
gap-free TE-monitoring, these measurement approaches
are conceivable, so far the switchgear with a
corresponding sensori-cal equipment or retrofitted [7].
10 literature
[1] IEC 60270:2000 VDE 0434:2001-08: "High-voltage
test techniques - Partial discharge measurements",
Geneva, 2000
[2] IEC 62271-200:2011 VDE 0671-200:2012-08:
"High voltage switch gear and control gear, Part
200: gas-insulated metal-enclosed switch gear for
rated voltages 1kV to 52 kV", Geneva, 2011
[3] IEC 61243-5:1997 VDE 0682 -415:2002-01: "Live
working - Voltage detectors - Part 5: Voltage detect
[4] K. Reth Meier: "New extraction procedures and
sensors for on-site partial discharge measurement on
high-voltage cable systems", TU-Berlin, 2006
[5] CIGRE TF D1.33.03 "Guidelines for Un
[6] MPD 600: "Product brief and specifications", Omi
[7] L. Thissen: "solution for a partial discharge monitor-
ring at SAP AG", Omicron Magazine 2/2011, Klaus,
Austria, 2011