QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF PARTIAL DISCHARGE RADIO FREQUENCY

EMISSION PROPAGATION IN MEDIUM VOLTAGE METAL-CLAD

SWITCHGEAR
Copyright Material IEEE
Paper No. PCIC-2017-20

Charles Pestell Dion Caves Jim Bowen, PE

IEEE Member IEEE Member IEEE Fellow
Powell Industries Powell Industries ARAMCO
7232 Airport Blvd 7232 Airport Blvd 9009 West Loop South
Houston, TX 77061 Houston, TX 77061 Houston, TX 77096
USA USA USA
Charles.Pestell@powellind.com Dion.Caves@powellind.com James.Bowen@aramcoservices.com

A bstract - This paper will review the propagation
characteristics of radio frequency emissions in metal-clad
medium voltage switchgear. The radio frequency emissions will
be generated using various sources of partial discharge and
measured using a prototype distributed antenna based partial
discharge detection system. It will be shown that partial
discharge sources of varying type and magnitude can be
detected in the switchgear and that the attenuation of the
emissions between compartments is easily observed in most
cases. In conclusion a partial discharge monitoring and location
system is proposed.
Index Terms — Partial discharge, Radio frequency, Medium
Voltage Switchgear, Partial discharge fault location
I. INTRODUCTION
This paper will discuss the investigation of the propagation of
radio frequency (RF) energy emanating from partial discharges
(PD) within medium voltage metal-clad switchgear. The purpose
of this investigation is to support the hypothesis that the location
and "strength" of PD can be estimated through RF based
detection techniques. The advantages of this type of system over
more conventional PD detection systems are expected to be:
a. It requires no direct connection to the high voltage
conductors avoiding additional components connected
to the high voltage insulation system.
b. It is potentially a low cost alternative to conventional PD
detection systems.
c. It will identify the switchgear compartment location of
the PD source without recourse to a third party.
d. It will provide a cost effective system for continuously
monitoring switchgear for PD providing the switchgear
owner with more information to base maintenance
decisions upon.
The activities undertaken to test a prototype system for RF
based detection of PD within metal-clad switchgear are
discussed in this paper.
Initial efforts focused upon the acquisition of "controllable" PD
sources that would operate at voltages typical of the switchgear
in question. Such devices are not readily available therefore the
decision was made to develop suitable sources in-house. Care
was taken during this work to compare the PD emissions from
these devices with "real world" PD emissions from damaged /
worn switchgear components. This allowed direct comparisons
to be made supporting the assertion that the artificial PD sources
produce emissions representative of PD found in switchgear.
These PD sources were developed to allow simple temporary
installation into medium voltage metal-clad switchgear and
operation in a laboratory environment, in order to investigate the
propagation of the RF emissions from them. To conduct the
measurement of the RF emissions, compact antennas were
installed in each compartment of the switchgear and connected
to receiving apparatus. This apparatus is designed to detect the
emission signature of PD and classify it against an AC reference
voltage. It operates a s a distributed detection system, measuring
the RF signal level in each compartment with the intention that
the location of the PD be identified purely through the signal
level.
An evaluation of this equipment was performed using IEC
15kV medium voltage switchgear. Observations were collected
during the exercise for both surface and internal PD sources.
Analysis of the collected results was performed using simple
algorithms to estimate the location of the PD source.
II. DEVELOPMENT & CHARACTERISATION OF
PD SOURCES FOR LOWER VOLTAGE
OPERATION.
The intention was to investigate the performance of the RF
based PD detection system in switchgear operating at voltages
of 11kV upwards. To accomplish this in real world switchgear it
was beneficial to operate the switchgear at voltages lower than
its rating to ensure that no significant switchgear based PD was
present whilst performing the investigation, thereby ensuring the
observed PD was only that introduced for the purpose of this
investigation. To support this requirement, artificial PD sources
that replicated the behavior of real PD sources at relatively low
voltages were required.
It was decided to develop two types of source replicating the
physical defects typical of switchgear where surface and internal
discharge are found. Given that the available switchgear sample
has a nominal voltage of 11 kV, the artificial sources would need

978-1-5090-5877-8/17/$31.00 O 2017 IEEE - 185 - CFP17PCI-PRT

to be operated at voltages between 5 and 7kV (to ground) an ABS plastic frame for connection to a high voltage source.
ensuring that the normal operating voltage of the switchgear was Fig. 2 shows a photograph of the artificial PD source.
not exceeded.;
Various ageing switchgear insulator components were
obtained and tested using a PD free high voltage transformer
and a conventional, capacitively coupled, PD measurement
system to establish whether these exhibited significant PD at
typical operating voltages. In each case where PD emissions
were observed, a qualitative assessm ent of the RF emission
spectra was made. The intent behind this activity was to enable
a comparison of the RF emissions from various different sources
of PD.
The insulator component under investigation was placed in a
large metal enclosure with a broadband (100Flz- 1GHz) E-field
receiving antenna. The connection between the insulator
component and ground was monitored using a RF current
transformer with a bandwidth of 20KHz - 1MHz. The signal
□
derived from this was used to trigger the spectrum analyser
acquisition of the broadband antenna signal. This system,
combined with the conventional, capacitively coupled, PD
measurement system allowed recording of the frequency
spectrum of PD events.
Additionally, each physical arrangement was inspected using
a corona viewer to ensure that any PD observed was emanating
from the component under test and not the test arrangement.
The corona viewer detects ultra violet (UV) light emissions from
surface PD and enables the operator to visualise these. It
provides a simple means of visually inspecting the test
arrangement to ensure that PD is not present in unintended
locations. S ee Annex A of IEEE 1799 [1] for detail on the
mechanism of UV emission and detection. Fig. 1 Artificial Internal Partial Discharge source
Many components were investigated using this method and
eventually sufficient components were located to provide a set of
"real PD" sources for future reference. It should be noted that
they were all classified a s sources of surface PD because they
effectively relied upon surface contamination to cause the PD.
Owing to the lack of internal PD sources, attempts were made
to artificially create these by introducing defects into switchgear
components. These attempts typically consisted of intentionally
damaging a component and then repairing it poorly so a s to
leave voids in the repair. By testing the components prior to the
damage and post the repair, it was possible to evaluate whether
the process had successfully caused internal PD. While some
su ccesses were had by this method, the voltages required to
induce PD in these modified insulating components were far in
excess of their normal operating voltages.
Following the difficulty in locating viable sources of PD at the
required operating voltages, an exercise to create artificial PD
sources was undertaken drawing upon [2] and [3] a s inspiration.
Fig. 2 Photograph of the internal PD source installed in the busbar
The intent of this work was to replicate the gross mechanical compartment
features of internal and surface PD. After a number of iterations,
the designs described below were successfully tested and found The internal source was found to reliably produce PD in the
to exhibit primarily surface and internal discharge signatures. range of 200pC - 1 ,5nC. Its inception voltage was typically 4.5kV
The RF emission spectra were compared against those obtained and this source was very sensitive to small adjustments in the
previously and observed to have similar characteristic emission applied voltage. Fig. 3 shows a typical phase resolved partial
bands. discharge (PRPD) plot from this source when operating. The
The active element of the internal artificial PD source, a s PRPD plot shown here is a three dimensional presentation of the
shown in Fig. 1, was constructed from a pair of glass discs used historic partial discharge activity since the individual test
to sandwich an acrylic plastic layer featuring a hole in the middle. commenced. The X-axis is the phase angle (of the supply
This arrangement created an air filled void within an insulator, voltage reference) at which the PD event occurred, the Y-axis is
analogous to a void in bulk insulation, from which PD emanated. the size of charge migration associated with the PD event and
The assembly was placed between two flattened brass balls in the Z-axis is the count of PD events that occurred at a particular

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X and Y axis “bin”. The Z-axis in this case is represented by color
and intensity. As the number of events in a particular bin
increases, so does the brightness of the color (blue = dark,
yellow = light) giving the reader a visualization of the PD event
density. The subject of PRPD interpretation is complex, but [4]
represents an introduction to this topic.
Fig. 3 PRPD plot of Internal PD Source
C o n n ectio n point
A irgap o v e r nylon
ro d
□ Nylon Rod
Aluminum Foil C o n n ectio n point
□ PVC insulation
S e ctio n Ά '
Fig. 4 Artificial Surface Tracking Partial Discharge source
The internal PD source would initially operate at a PD level
several multiples of the eventual settling level for a few minutes.
It would then droop to that level and operate consistently for an
extended period of time. During this time it would gradually
reduce until the PD became erratic and non-continuous. While
operating, the PD from this source would vary over a range of +/-
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50pC. Once its operation became non-continuous a rest period
of 20 minutes would return it to its original behavior.
The surface PD source, a s shown in Fig. 4, was constructed
from a nylon rod, wrapped in aluminum foil which in turn was
wrapped in PVC insulation. A section of the foil and insulation
was removed to create an air gap with the nylon rod exposed.
The exposed section of nylon operated a s a surface upon which
electrical tracking could occur thereby creating surface PD. This
arrangement is analogous to sources of PD found in switchgear
where the common cause is contaminated insulation. Fig. 5
shows a photograph of the artificial surface PD source discussed
here.
Fig. 5 Photograph of the surface PD source installed on a vacuum
circuit breaker
This surface artificial source was found to reliably produce PD
in the range of 450pC - 2nC. Control of the PD emission level
was achieved through varying the supply voltage. The PD
inception voltage was typically in the region of 6.0kV and reliable
continuous operation occurred once the voltage was over 6.5kV.
Fig. 6 shows a typical PRPD plot from this source when
operating.
2.0nC 90“ 180“ 270“
l.OnC
O.OnC-
-l.OnC
-2.0nC_____________________________________ __________________________________________
Fig. 6 PRPD plot of Surface PD Source
While operating, the PD emission from this source would vary
over a range of +/-75pC. During the course of extended
operation, the trend of the PD would be a gradual downward
decline requiring slight increases in the applied voltage to
maintain a given PD level. It was found that after an extended
period of operation (approximately 20 minutes) that the source
would become increasingly erratic in its PD emissions. To
recover from this situation the source was allowed to "rest" for a
period of time. The authors suspect that this phenomena was A pictorial representation of the physical switchgear
due to an increased concentration of ozone in the vicinity of the arrangement and the RF based PD detection system can be
discharge area. seen in Fig. A-1 in Appendix A. A picture showing the front
In summary, the exercise to develop artificial PD sources elevation of the actual switchgear with the antenna cables
suitable for temporary installation into switchgear was installed can be seen in Fig. 8.
considered a success. While these could not be described as
laboratory instruments capable of being used a s reference or
calibration devices, they are more than suitable for the purpose
of this investigation.

III. INVESTIGATION

An eleven section 11kV 63kA arc resistant switchgear

assembly was available for the purposes of this investigation
which was conducted using a prototype RF based PD detection
system and the artificial PD sources described above. The PD
detection system comprised a detection node per switchgear
section connected to antennas installed in each high voltage
compartment. The antennas used were simple VHF helical whip
style 315MFIZ antennas similar to those used on walkie-talkie
style radios. Fig. 7 shows one antenna installed in a switchgear
compartment using magnets to temporarily attach it to the side
wall of the switchgear. These antennas were selected following
a review of the RF emission spectra from the many sources
evaluated earlier where frequencies in the upper VFIF and lower
UFIF ranges (typically 150MFIz to 500MFIz) were seen to feature
in the RF emissions from PD.

Fig. 8 Picture showing front elevation of switchgear with antennas

installed

The electrical configuration of the switchgear was arranged a s

follows:
- All circuit breakers were racked in and set to the closed
position.
- The primary connections of the voltage transformers
were disconnected.
- Phase C of the switchgear was connected to a variable
PD "free" high voltage transformer. This sam e phase
was also connected to a conventional capacitively
coupled PD detection system which served a s the
reference PD measurement system.
- Phases A & B of the switchgear were connected to
ground for safety. (The absence of phase-to-phase
voltages was not considered to negatively impact the
simulation of PD because the intent was to introduce
Fig. 7 Picture showing antenna installed in switchgear
PD into only the energised phase.)

The detection nodes were connected to an Ethernet network The methodology followed during the testing was:
a. Background PD measurements were made using both
and communicated with a laptop PC to display the detected
the reference system and the RF based system for the
levels of RF. Only 6 detection nodes were available for this test
switchgear in both energised and de-energised states.
and were installed into switchgear section numbers 1 through 5
and 11. The detection system uses the antennas to detect the b. One of the sources was introduced into the
compartment of interest and energised at an
RF pulse generated by each PD event and classifies it in terms
appropriate operating voltage to cause PD. Fig. 2 and
of its phase timing and pulse size. This information is presented,
Fig. 5 show pictures of the sources installed into the
on a per channel and node basis, a s basic statistics and a s a
switchgear ready for energisation.
PRPD graph typical of many PD measurement systems.

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 c. The PD emission level was monitored using the
reference system and the applied voltage adjusted in TABLE II
an effort to maintain a relatively constant level of PD SURFACE SOURCE IN SEC. 1 CABLE -900PC
throughout the observation period of at least 2 minutes. T e st 1-2 Mean Event Amplitudes in dB (2min Average)
d. Data comprising the mean PD event amplitude was Section B u sb ar Breaker C able S e c . Mean
collected for each channel of each detection node over
the observation period. This data was used in the Section 1 9 7 12 9
subsequent analysis. Section 2 3 1 0 1
e. Once the observation period had elapsed the Section 3 0 0 0 0
switchgear was de-energised and the background PD
Section 4 5 0 0 2
level checked using both PD detection systems.
Section 5 5 0 0 2
The two source types, internal and surface PD, were cycled Section 11 4 0 0 1
through the three compartments of sections 1 and 2 of the
switchgear. For each variation, the switchgear was energised TABLE III
and data collected a s described above. The rationale behind this INTERNAL SOURCE IN SEC. 1 BREAKER-300PC
is the desire to investigate the RF propagation behavior for both T e st 1-3 Mean Event Amplitudes in dB (2min Average)
the switchgear line-up end compartments and those within the
switchgear line up. After initial tests, it was decided that an Section B u sb ar Breaker C able S e c . Mean
observation period of 2 minutes was sufficient to record data for Section 1 10 10 1 7
representative analysis. Section 2 8 4 1 4
Section 3 5 2 0 2
IV. RESULTS
Section 4 7 4 1 4
The background PD was measured a s 5pC when the Section 5 2 0 1 1
switchgear was energised at its full rated voltage with no artificial Section 11 2 0 0 1
PD source present. When no voltage was applied the PD
measurement was below the measurement threshold of the
Table III shows no difference in the measured signal level
reference instrument. This exercise served to prove that the
between the breaker and busbar compartments in section 1
switchgear was free of significant PD because the artificial
despite the PD source being located in the breaker compartment
sources would be operated at voltage levels lower than the
of section 1.
switchgear’s rating.
The RF based system was used to measure the background TABLE IV
RF noise level of the environment. A measurement of 6dB was SURFACE SOURCE IN SEC. 1 BREAKER -1500PC
recorded irrespective of whether the switchgear was energised.
T e st 1-4 Mean Event Amplitudes in dB (2min Average)
These background measurements were repeated regularly
throughout the test sequence and the measurements verified Section B u sb ar Breaker C able S e c . Mean
that the baseline conditions remained unchanged. Section 1 11 17 15 14
The result tables presented in Table I through Table XII Section 2 7 5 0 4
provides the mean dB level acquired over a 2 minute period for
Section 3 7 3 1 3
each compartment in each instrumented switchgear section.
There is one table for each source location. The shaded bars in Section 4 0 6 1 2
the raw results area of the table gives an indication of the value Section 5 5 1 1 2
relative to the highest value within that table. The section mean
Section 11 5 1 1 2
value is calculated from the 3 raw data results associated with
the section in question.
TABLE V
The PD figure quoted in the title of each table is the
INTERNAL SOURCE IN SEC. 1 BUSBAR-200PC
approximate mean of the PD generated by the source during the
2 minute averaging period a s measured by the reference T e st 1-5 Mean Event Amplitudes in dB (2min Average)
instrument. Section B u sb ar Breaker C able S e c . Mean
TABLE I Section 1 8 5
1 7 1 1
INTERNAL SOURCE IN SEC. 1 CABLE -350PC
Section 2 10 0 1 3
T e st 1-1 Mean Event Amplitudes in dB (2min Average)
Section 3 6 2 1 1 3
Section B u sb ar Breaker C able S e c . Mean
Section 4 6 4 0 3
Section 1 12 11 18 14
Section 5 6 0 0 2
Section 2 12 δ 13 11
Section 11 4 0 0 1
Section 3 8 7 13 9
Section 4 6 6 4 6 Table V shows that the highest level detected in Test 1-5 was in
Section 5 6 1 2 2 3 the busbar compartment of section 2 yet the PD source was
Section 11 5 0 3 3 located in the busbar compartment of section 1.

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 TABLE VI TABLE X
SURFACE SOURCE IN SEC. 1 BUSBAR -1050PC SURFACE SOURCE IN SEC. 2 BREAKER -1400PC
T e st 1-6 Mean Event Amplitudes in dB (2min Average) T e st 2-4 Mean Event Amplitudes in dB (2min Average)
Section B u sb ar Breaker C able S e c . Mean Section B u sb ar Breaker C able S e c . Mean
Section 1 9 9 3 7 Section 1 4 2 0 2
Section 2 13 2 0 5 Section 2 12 16 9 13
Section 3 8 7 0 5 Section 3 7 5 0 4
m

CD
Section 4 8 10 2 7 Section 4 1 1 5
Section 5 8 7 0 5 Section 5 6 0 0 2
Section 11 4 5 5 5 Section 11 0 0 0 0

Table VI shows that during test 1-6 the highest PD level detected TABLE XI
was in the busbar compartment of section 2 whereas the PD INTERNAL SOURCE IN SEC. 2 BUSBAR -480PC
source was located in the busbar compartment of section 1. It T e st 2-5 Mean Event Amplitudes in dB (2min Average)
also shows an unexpectedly high level of PD in the breaker Section B u sb ar Breaker C able S e c . Mean
compartment of section 4.

1
CD
Section 1 6 0 4
TABLE VII Section 2 13

cn
0 6
INTERNAL SOURCE IN SEC. 2 CABLE -430PC Section 3 4
8 5 0
T e st 2-1 Mean Event Amplitudes in dB (2min Average)
Section 4 10 6 0 5
Section B u sb ar Breaker C able S e c . Mean
Section 5 9 3 1 1 4
Section 1 3 0 6 3
Section 11 1 0 0 0
Section 2 12 10 17 13
Section 3 2 2 0 1 TABLE XII
SURFACE SOURCE IN SEC. 2 BUSBAR -1000PC
Section 4 1 I 1 3 1
T e st 2-6 Mean Event Amplitudes in dB (2min Average)
Section 5 4 0 0 1
Section B u sb ar Breaker C able S e c . Mean
Section 11 4 1 2 2
Section 1 8 10 11 10
TABLE Vili
SURFACE SOURCE IN SEC. 2 CABLE -1000PC
Section 2 23 m 18 18
Section 3 9 11 11
T e st 2-2 Mean Event Amplitudes in dB (2min Average) Section 4 13 13 10 12

1
Section B u sb ar Breaker C able S e c . Mean

CD
Section 5 12 10 10
Section 1 8 1 7 5 Section 11 4 6 5 5
Section 2 18 19 15
Section 3 5 2 1 3 The graph presented in Fig. 9 shows the mean RF event
amplitude recorded by the RF PD detection system plotted
Section 4 0 1 1 1
against the average PD detected by the reference system. The
Section 5 6 1 1 3 RF level plotted was measured within the sam e compartment as
Section 11 2 1 1 1 the location of the artificial source.

TABLE IX V. DISCUSSION
INTERNAL SOURCE IN SEC. 2 BREAKER -230PC
T e st 2-3 Mean Event Amplitudes in dB (2min Average) The results presented in Table I through Table XII show that
the prototype system was able to detect the presence, and
Section B u sb ar Breaker C able S e c . Mean
absence of PD within the switchgear. We see that the level of RF
Section 1 11 11 11 11 detected in each compartment varies, roughly, with proximity to
Section 2 14 18 14 16 the PD source.
Section 3 10 9 4 8 Additionally, from the results presented in Fig. 9, it is shown
there is not a direct correlation between the level of PD as
Section 4 ) 12 7 9 measured by the reference instrument and the level of RF
Section 5 δ |δ 4 7 detected. This further supports the conclusions presented in [5]
Section 11 2 0 1 1 that the behavior of different switchgear compartments and the
location of the PD source within the switchgear line-up have an
effect on the propagation of the RF energy. This was particularly
noticeable in the case of the end section busbar compartment. It

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is suspected that the busbar behaves similarly to a wave guide the largest mean event value recorded in the raw results table.
rather than the leaky box behavior of the other compartments. Algorithm 2 used the mean of each sections’ 3 recorded values
to identify the section of switchgear where the source was
located and then identified the highest compartment value from
25 within that section a s the location of the PD source.
Table XIII shows the results of the algorithms when applied to
the acquired data. It can be seen that both algorithms have some
success at correctly identifying the location but that neither is
perfect. Using algorithm 2 the system demonstrated an 83%
20
success rate for the correct identification of the PD source
location.
A particularly notable observation regarding the raw data is
that there is, on occasions, little or no difference in the measured
values between compartments. This behavior is not consistent
with the other tests where appreciable attenuation of the RF
signals occurs between the compartments. During the
c investigation no reason for this inconsistent behavior could be
00
10 identified.

VI. CONCLUSIONS

5 The investigation described above successfully demonstrates

that, in the majority of cases observed, the RF energy emitted
from a PD source is increasingly attenuated a s it is measured in
compartments adjacent to, and further from, the source
compartment. This principal cannot be applied to 100% of cases
0 a s evidenced in those tests where the source was installed in the
0 500 1000 1500 end bus bar compartment (section 1). These particular cases
PD level measured (pC) warrant further investigation into the propagation of the RF signal
in this situation.
Ο S u r f a c e PD s o u r c e The narrow signal level difference observed between adjacent
I n te r n a l PD s o u r c e compartments in some cases indicates that non-simplistic
behavior is present. To develop a reliable PD location system
Fig. 9 Graph showing the PD created by the artificial sources against this issue will need to be addressed either by enhancing the
the RF level detected in the source compartment signal detection capabilities of the system or applying different
diagnostic techniques to differentiate between the two
TABLE XIII compartments.
SUMMARY OF DETECTION ALGORITHM RESULTS
The relatively low level signals, with respect to the system
A lg orith m r e s u lt s noise floor, suggests that improvement to the system
Sou rce Sou rce T est
1 2
discrimination capabilities could be achieved through
lo c atio n typ e no. improvements to the antenna design. This would be intended to
Section 1 Internal Test 1-1 Correct Correct improve the signal-to-noise ratio benefitting the system
Cable performance. The improved antenna design should feature a
Chamber Surface Test 1-2 Correct Correct
wider frequency acceptance band to better detect low level
Section 1 Internal Test 1-3 Incorrect Incorrect partial discharge emissions. The design should be adapted to
Breaker minimise the detected signal reduction caused by the proximity
Chamber Surface Test 1-4 Correct Correct
of the switchgear metal. During the work described in this paper
Section 1 Internal Test 1-5 Incorrect Correct care had to be taken to position the antennas such that the
Busbar minimum amount of metal was adjacent to them. If this was not
Chamber Surface Test 1-6 Incorrect Incorrect
the case a significant reduction in PD signal was observed and
Section 2 Internal Test 2-1 Correct Correct the particular test repeated.
Cable Given the occasionally apparent non-simplistic behavior of the
Chamber Surface Test 2-2 Correct Correct
RF emissions it would be prudent to investigate their propagation
Section 2 Internal Test 2-3 Correct Correct in other switchgear designs - particularly non-arc resistant
Breaker designs where the compartmental segregation is not completed
Chamber Surface Test 2-4 Correct Correct
to the sam e level a s that found in arc resistant equipment.
Section 2 Internal Test 2-5 Correct Correct Despite the cases where the location of the source was not
Busbar successfully identified, the prototype system was able to detect
Chamber Surface Test 2-6 Correct Correct
the presence of the PD source in the switchgear in all cases and
identify the location in 83% of cases. Further development of the
Two simplistic algorithms were applied to the data acquired in detection antennas and the location algorithm would probably
attempts to locate the PD source. Algorithm 1 simply identified yield a much greater level of localisation success.

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 substation. In 2010, Mr. Bowen accepted a position with Aramco
VII. REFERENCES Services Company a s Power System Technologist. His current
role includes investigating technologies that can be applied by
[1] IEEE Std 1799-2012, IEEE Recommended Practice for Aramco to improve safety, reliability and profitability. Mr. Bowen
Quality Control Testing of External Discharges on Stator has presented at numerous technical seminars for the IEEE
Coils, Bars, and Windings. Houston Section’s Continuing Education on Demand. He is a
[2] S. Rengarajan et al, “Development of an UHF detection professional engineer in the state of Texas and was elevated to
system for partial discharge measurement in transformer the rank of IEEE Fellow for his pioneering work in Safety By
insulation”, Conference Record of the 2008 IEEE Design.
International Symposium on Electrical Insulation, 2008 pp
100-103, 2008.
[3] Jian Li et al, “Resonant Frequency Calculation and Optimal
Design of Peano Fractal Antenna for Partial Discharge
Detection”, International Journal of Antennas and
Propagation, voi. 2012, Article ID 361517, 9 pages, 2012.
[4] D. A. Nattrass, “Partial discharge measurement and
interpretation” IEEE Electrical Insulation Magazine, 1988,
Voi. 4, pages 10-23.
[5] S. M. Hoek et al, “Emission and Propagation Mechanisms of
PD Pulses for UHF and Traditional Measurements”,
International Journal on Electrical Engineering and
Informatics - Voi. 4, No.3, Oct. 2012.

VIII. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors would like to thank the following people for their
contributions: Peter Codd, Simon Wilson and Graham Earp (EA
Technology)

IX. VITAE

Charles Pestell graduated from Salford University in 1996

with a BEng degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. He
initially worked for P&B Engineering in an electrical protection
relay development role until he moved to Switchgear and
Instrumentation in 2001 to join their industrial product
development team. He remained with the company following
their acquisition by Powell in 2005 and since 2014 has been
employed a s a Research and Development supervisor by Powell
Industries Inc. of Houston. This is his second PCIC paper.

Dion Caves received his B.S. in Physics in 1998 from the

University of Texas at Austin. He has worked for Tetra Pak Inc.,
Eaton Electrical Services and Systems and Siemens Energy and
Automation in roles from field engineering to resource manager.
Currently he is employed at Powell Industries in the research and
development department, researching various switchgear,
sensing and control concepts.

Ja m e s E. Bowen earned a BSEE degree from Texas A&M

University in 1976. After working for SIP Engineering a s a power
engineer for three years, he joined Exxon Chemicals in 1979.
His duties included maintenance, project design, construction
follow-up and commissioning for the petrochemical and
cogeneration processes in the USA and Europe.
In 1997, Mr. Bowen joined Powell Electrical Manufacturing
Company a s the Technical Director where he provided
leadership in the application and design development of low
voltage and medium voltage switchgear and circuit breakers. In
2009, Mr. Bowen joined Dashiell Corporation in the position of
vice president of Advanced Technical Services where he
advanced the concept of Safety by Design into the high voltage

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 APPENDIX A

SWITCHGEAR ARRANGEMENT DETAILS

S ectio n s 6-10

Com m unication Link

Fig. A-1 Pictorial representation of switchgear line-up used for this investigation

Notes
1. Antennas installed in each compartment chamber - VCB, Busbar and Cable compartment (The antenna located in
the cable compartment is not shown)
2. Sections 6 through 10 are reduced in width for the clarity of this diagram

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- 194 -