CIGRÉ 1996 : 15/21/33-12 O

TEST AFTER LAYING, DIAGNOSTIC TESTING USING PARTIAL

DISCHARGE TESTING AT SITE

E. PULTRUM* M.J.M. VAN RIET

E.F. STEENNIS NUON Technisch Bedrijf
KEMA Nederland B.V. The Netherlands
Transmission & Distribution
The Netherlands

SUMMARY 1. INTRODUCTION

At KEMA, a new high frequency measuring technique
is developed to detect partial discharges in polymer
insulated cables and accessories. This technique can
be used for cable(system)s applied with a concentric
neutral c.q. a helically structured earth screen of
individual (copper) wires as well as for cable(system)s
with a solid metal enclosure.
In addition, a system is developed to determine
capacitively the phase-angle of the three phases
seperately. The combination of the high frequency PD
detection technique and the phase-angle measurement
To increase the reliability of a high voltage cable
system, special attention should be paid to the
accessories. In these accessories, especially on
interfaces, certain discharges can maintain for very
long periods, eventually resulting in a breakdown.
Therefore it is very important to detect these
discharges in an early stage.
1
0,8

system results in a system with which it is possible to

amplitude

make a phase-relationship between discharge pulses 0,6

and the working voltage.

0,4

This complete system makes it possible to perform at- 0,2

site PD measurements focused on accessories, without area A area B
any connection to high voltage parts of the system. The 0

measurements are based on newly developed 0.0001 0.001 0.01 0.1 1

frequency [MHz]
10 100 1000

techniques, while the PD determination is based on

traditional rules because of the PD-phase-angle Figure 1 Discharge spectrum
relation.

Both the field measurements with this complete system

as well as the measurements performed with just the The conventional way of electrical discharge detection
high frequency PD system on 150 kV accessories in at-site (bandwidth < 1 MHz, see figure 1, area A) has
The Netherlands are presented. several disadvantages, one of these is the significant
noise level, and is therefore used rarely.

*) KEMA Nederland B.V., T&D, P.O. Box 9035, NL-6800 ET ARNHEM, The Netherlands
An alternative is the acoustic discharge detection. The
advantage is clear, no firm electric connection to the
cable or accessory is needed and the measuring system
is simple. However, an important disadvantage is that
not all discharges can be detected, especially smaller
discharges or larger discharges acoustically hidden
within the system are difficult to detect.
On the basis of existing knowledge and some new
ideas, KEMA has developed a new measuring
technique. It is called high frequency partial discharge
measurement; this technique is an alternative for low
frequency partial discharge measurements and acoustic
measurements. This way of detection is very suitable
for short cable lengths (in the laboratory) or accessories
(at-site) and can be used for diagnosing purposes. The
new method is based on the high frequency
characteristics of a discharge pulse. Because the noise
level is relatively low in the upper frequency band, this
method is ideally suited for unshielded measurements,
i.e. at-site measurements, on cable accessories.
In addition, a (sub)system is developed to measure the
actual phase voltage. This makes it possible to relate
the occurence of a discharge with the sine-wave of the
voltage.
2. PRINCIPLES HF DISCHARGE DETECTION
Partial discharges are electromagnetic pulses with
charges distributed over a limited length of the cable
(meters) as they travel along the cable (kilometers), see
figure 2. The semiconductive screens result in severe
attenuation of the high frequency components of the
discharge pulses travelling along the cable.
E
discharge pulse
_
E this impedance. Reflection theory makes this behaviour
+
H
discharge pulse travelling through cable
Figure 4 Discharge pulse running in cable
This effect can be considered as an advantage because
when the discharges are measured near an accessory,
the pulses highly probable originate from the nearby
accessory. In other words, the measurement will
practically not be disturbed by discharges from other
sources, like accessories elsewhere. Moreover, in the
frequency band on which the measurement is based,
the noise level is relatively low. This is of particular
advantage during measurements at-site, as will be
shown.
measured signal
original signal single differentiated
single integrated
pulse magnitude original signal
double integrated
pulse magnitude
Figure 3 Various signals from discharge pulses
for the interruption and coil technique
For high frequency partial discharge detection there are
in principle two different ways to measure the pulses.
Discharges can be measured by means of an
interruption in the earth screen of a cable or by means
of a coil around that cable. Which one of these two
should be applied mainly depends on the actual
construction of the cable system. In figure 3 the
various signals obtained and derived are shown, when
measuring with a screen interruption or with a coil.
2.1. SCREEN INTERRUPTION TECHNIQUE
It is possible to measure a discharge pulse by
connecting an impedance over an interruption in the
metal earth screen of the cable [1]. Such an impedance
can be a coaxial measuring cable, as shown in figure 4.
A discharge pulse will give a small voltage drop over
easily understandable.
An interruption can be made anywhere in the metal
earth screen of a cable. However, when discharges
from specific accessories have to be measured, such an
interruption should be made nearby the accessory.
Sometimes, an interruption is already part of the design
of the accessory.
In order to obtain the best possible response, the
measuring cable should be connected to the screen near
the edge of the interruption. At the same time, the
screen on both sides of the interruption should be short-
circuited for power frequency currents. If the short-
circuit lead is connected to the screen on both sides a
few centimetres from the interruption, this short-circuit
will not disturb the partial discharge measurement.

_ the laboratory for investigation purposes for the cause
E
+ This coil technique for detecting PD's is patented by
H
Figure 4 Interruption in metallic earth screen to
pick up discharge pulse
2.2. COIL TECHNIQUE
Partial discharges can be measured using a coil if the
cable is applied with a helical shaped metal screen of
individual wires [1, 2]. The discharge pulses are forced
to follow that helical screen, which results in a small
magnetic field outside the cable. Consequently this
magnetic field can be detected using a coil around the
cable, as is shown in figure 5. The existence of a
plastic jacket does not interfere with the magnetic
field, so the coil can be applied around the plastic
jacket.
H
_ Because of the symmetry, both electrically and
E
+
H
i and others can be neglected. This results in a rather
U
Figure 5 Coil around cable with earth screen of
helically wound wires to pick up pd
The measuring system with the coil has several
advantages over the first one with an interruption.
In the first place, with a coil the measurement can be
carried out anywhere along the cable simply by
moving the coil. Moreover, it is not necessary to switch
off the high voltage when connecting the measuring
circuit.
Inherently to the coil, the discharge pulse is
differentiated, which means that mainly the highest
frequency components of the discharge signal in the
cable will be detected and noise with lower frequencies
will be attenuated.
Another advantage is the possibility to locate very
accurately the discharge in a cable with a coil that can
be moved along the cable. This option can be used in
of the partial discharge.
KEMA.
3. PRINCIPLES PHASE-ANGLE DETECTOR
The basic requirement for the phase-angle detector is,
apart from a simple design, that no connection with
high voltage parts of the system is allowed, because the
already existing high frequency PD detection technique
doesn't need such connection. The obvious solution is
capacitive coupling to the termination and overhead
line.
For a simple one-phase system, the determination of
the phase-angle is not so difficult by means of
capacitive coupling, but with a three-phase system,
each sensor is coupled to each phase of the system.
This results in a signal that needs processing to derive
the right information. In principal, the complex
coupling of each sensor with each phase can be
formulated as follows:
(1)
U l α + ∆α β + ∆β γ + ∆γ Fl
U c = ε + ∆ε δ ε - ∆ε • Fc
Ur Fr
γ - ∆γ β - ∆β α - ∆α
with Ul,c,r representing the integrated sensor signal and
Fl,c,r the actual phase voltage of respectively the left,
centre and right termination. [3]
geometrically, certain elements of the matrix are equal
simple equation. The main objective is to derive either
from both left and right sensor, or from the middle
sensor, the right phase-angle information of the middle
phase. The determination of the right phase-sequence
can be derived again from the left and right sensors, or
the middle sensor.
The best solution, with respect to unbalanced situations
(geometrical asymmetry as a consequence of
malpositioning of the sensors and/or due to geometrical
asymmetry in the layout of the terminations) is the
solution making use of two sensors near the left and
right termination to determine the phase-angle of the
middle phase and a sensor near the centre termination
to determine the right phase-sequence. This solution
eliminates possible unbalances by a simple
standardized summation of the outer sensor signals.
Let's assume that the coupling of the outer sensors to 4. PRACTICAL EXPERIENCES WITH
their respective terminations is the same, but there is DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS ON
an unbalance in coupling to the middle phase: ACCESSORIES
With the newly developed phase-angle detector several
(2)
measurements at-site have been done to find out the
influence of the position of the sensors for the
measured signals [3]. These measurements have
Ul α β + ∆β γ Fl resulted in a recommendation about the positioning of
= • the sensors to the terminations. With this
Ur γ β - ∆β α Fc
recommendation, the in-accuracy is negligable small,
Fr even with a powered circuit immediately next to the
circuit where the measurements are performed. Figure
The summation of both signals leads to a signal 9 shows a sensor mounted to the base of a termination.
represented by: Also, some measurements have been done in a
(3) laboratory where a field situation, a three phase
U l +U r = α(F l + F r ) + 2β F c + γ (F l + F r ) system, has been simulated. The middle phase was
connected to a resistive divider, so the capacitively
= (2β - α - γ ) F c determined phase-angle of that phase could be
resulting clearly in the elimination of the assumed compared to the true phase-angle. These measurements
unbalance. Another unbalance which can occur, is an showed that there was no difference in phase-angle
unbalance of each sensor to their respective between the capacitive and resistive method, resulting
terminations. The best way to deal with this unbalance in the conclusion that the phase-angle detector is able
is to standardize the sensor signals. If equation (1) to determine the phase-angle of the three phases very
represents the coupling between the sensors and the accurately.
three phases, the standardized summation of the outer
sensor signals is proportional to:
(4)
Ul Ur
+ _
|U l | |U r |
β
(2β - α - γ ) F c - 2 3( ∆α - ∆β + ∆γ ) F c⊥
1

α
with Fc⊥ being a signal perpendicular to Fc.
If the position of the sensors is choosen well, β will be
much smaller than α, resulting in:
metalgroundplate
(5) 50Hzcurrent
Ul Ur
+ = (2β - α - γ ) F c
|U l | |U r | cablelead
being a signal without the original unbalances.
Depending on the magnitude of β, this will give a
0
signal either in phase or 180 out of phase with Fc.
Under normal circumstances, 2β is smaller than α and
the right phase sequence can then be determined by
Figure 6 Set-up measurement on termination
means of the substraction of Ul and Ur. If the conditions
are such however, that 2β is larger than α, the
substraction results in the wrong phase sequence. To
KEMA has performed a laboratory experiment by
overcome this problem, the sensor to the middle
measuring partial discharges in a 150 kV cable
termination is used. With three sensors, the right
termination both with the conventional low frequency
phase-angle and sequence can be determined under all
discharge measurement and with the high frequency
conditions.
discharge measurement over an interruption. As a
consequence of the design, an interruption in the metal
shield right under the termination is directly accessible.
The set-up is shown in figure 6. The experiment
showed a good relationship between the discharge
levels found with both techniques. Table I Results over the years

On behalve of the Dutch utility NUON twice about 100

150 kV terminations have been measured at-site using Location & Phase 1993 1994 1995
just the high frequency PD technique. Recently a third Circuit [pC] [pC] [pC]
measurement-cycle has been done, also using the 1 red 150 160 -
phase-detection (sub)system.
Very essential is the way the obtained signals are 1 blue 70 - 60
identified, i.e. to distinguish disturbances from
2 blue 160 75 150
discharges and unharmful corona from harmful internal
discharges. Several terminations with internal 3 red 670 500 240
discharges have been identified in this way. The noise
level of the measurements varied from location to 3 yellow - - 20
location, between 2 and 320 pC, with a mean level of 4 blue - - 150
40 pC. An example of a discharge found in one of the
terminations is shown in figure 7. 5 red - 112 -

5 yellow - - 10

6 red - - 10

7 red 100 - -

7 yellow 110 - -

7 blue - - 25

8 yellow 380 - -

9 red 40 35 -

9 yellow 50 40 -
Figure 7 Partial discharges of about 50 pC,
measured at a 150 kV termination 9 blue 70 15 -

10 red 70 - -
The results of the second measurement cycle, a year 10 yellow 50 - -
after the first, showed a good similarity with the first
cycle in that hardly any discrepancies concerning the 10 blue 40 - -
qualification of terminations occurred. This second 11 red - 45 ♦
cycle showed no increase in magnitude of pd's and
even for some terminations a slight decrease. 12 red - 35 ♦
Laboratory experiments show that this might well be
caused by the lower temperatures during the second
cycle as compared to the first. For the third
measurement cycle, two years after the first, the
interpretation of the measured signals is simplified by
the use of the phase-detection (sub)system. These
measurements resulted again in only a few differences This leads to the conclusion that with this high
with earlier measurements. Those terminations that frequency pd detection technique, including
showed evidence of discharge during one of the identification of signals, reproducible results can be
measurements, are summarized in table I. A dash obtained. These field measurements clearly show that
implies that no discharges above the noise level have with the high frequency PD detection system, it is
been detected. The locations 11 and 12 have not been possible to diagnose accessories in HV cable systems
remeasured in 1995, hence the ♦. It should be and to keep track of their status. These measurements
mentioned here that some of the differences in have shown that discharges (as assumed) in the
qualification between the first two measurement cycles interface between PE and silicon rubber can maintain
and the most recent one, is a consequence of the use of for some years apparently without resulting in a
the phase-angle detector. Nevertheless, the breakdown. Since the start of the measurements, no
qualification for most of the measured terminations breakdown of a termination has occured. Most of the
didn't change.
terminations have shown to be free of discharges all
of the three cycles. This has led to the idea to use
this technique for the accessories of a newly
installed circuit in combination with the
commissioning test. Especially if the cable is
applied with a helical screen of individual copper
wires, this technique can be applied without the need
of making connections with the cable system at all.
The photographs (figures 8 and 9) give an
impression of the set-up at-site.
5. CONCLUSIONS
The experiments in the laboratory and the
measurements at-site show that high frequency
discharge detection, combined with the phase-angle
detection system, is a step forward in measuring
partial discharges at-site. This combination of
techniques introduces the possibility to measure
accessories at-site and draw conclusions based on
well-known PD-characteristics. This combination of
technologies is patented by KEMA.
The measurements described in this paper have led
to the idea to use this technique in combination with
a commissioning test. Discharges in the interface
between PE and silicon rubber will not necessarily
immediately result in a breakdown. Since the start of
the measurements, no terminations have failed.
Especially at-site the advantages are clear:
- No connection with the high voltage parts
of the system is required, i.e. no coupling capacitor
is required. Moreover, the earth screen can still be
completely grounded for power frequency currents.
Figure 8
- The phase-angle detector measures the right
phase-angle of each termination also without any
connection to high voltage parts.
- At-site the noise level is generally 40 pC,
which is low with respect to that obtained with the
classical detection (100-s to 1000-s pC) and the
measurement is focused on accessories.
- For cables with a copper wire screen
(concentric neutral) discharge detection with a coil
is possible anywhere along the cable without any
further measures. When cables have a solid metal
enclosure, discharge detection is possible at
interruptions in the metal enclosure, which are
sometimes accessible or can be realized at or near
terminations and joints, or with the aid of a specially
developed measurement accessory.
REFERENCES
[1] E. Pultrum, 'Definitieve meetopstelling
voor hoogfrequent ontladingsdetectie en lokalisatie',
KEMA report 43167-T&D 93-5359, December 30,
1993: 25 pp.
[2] P.A.A.F. Wouters, P.C.T. van der Laan, E.
Hetzel and E.F. Steennis, 'New on-line partial
discharge measurement technique for polymer
insulated cables and accessories', in Proceedings of
the 8Th ISH International Symposium on High
Voltage Engineering, Yokohama, Japan, August 23-
27, 1993: 4 pp.
[3] P.A.A.F. Wouters, et al., 'Fasehoekdetectie
aan een 50/60 Hz 3-fasen hoogspanningssysteem',
TU Eindhoven report EHC/RAP/95059, 1995.
Figure 9