infraR&D

Infrared Forum Research and Applications

Detection Partial Discharges on High Voltage Equipment with Infrared

Thermography

Sreten Dobrivojevic

Electric power distribution company of Belgrade (EDB), Serbia

Belgrade, Serbia

Abstract

This paper presents a method and examples for detection partial discharges on high voltage
equipment with infrared cameras. Thermography inspections were done in substation and other
HV facilities in Belgrade area. Presence of PD was detected on cables (XLPE, EPR), cable
terminations, HV switch gear, etc. As we know, partial discharges are often accompanied by
emission of sound, light, heat, and chemical reactions. Using those facts, sometimes, we can
detect PD on high voltage equipment with infrared camera. The method is 100% non-destructive
and 100% non-invasive, and can be used on energized equipment. Because of that is very useful
in preventing failure and damage of equipment. In this paper some examples from the field are
presented, describing partial discharges.

Introduction
Partial discharges are often accompanied by emission of sound, light, heat, and chemical
reactions. Using those acts, sometimes, we can detect PD on high voltage equipment with an
infrared camera. The method is 100% non-destructive and 100% non-invasive, and can be used
on energized equipment. Because of that is very useful in preventing failure and damage of
equipment. Infrared thermography as predictive maintenance (PM) and condition monitoring
(CM) on high voltage equipment is well known.

What is partial discharge (PD)?

A partial discharge is an electrical discharge or spark that bridges a small portion of the insulation
between two conducting electrodes. Partial discharge activity can occur at any point in the
insulation system, where the electric field strength exceeds the breakdown strength of that
portion of the insulating material. Once begun, PD causes progressive deterioration of insulating
materials, ultimately leading to electrical breakdown. The effects of PD within high voltage cables

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and equipment can be very serious, ultimately leading to complete failure.

Partial Discharges emit energy as:

• Electromagnetic emissions, in the form of radio waves, light and heat

• Acoustic emissions, in the audible and ultrasonic ranges
• Ozone and oxide of nitrogen gases

PD Causes

Causes of PD can include gas bubbles in liquid and corona in gases.

Partial discharge causes include:

• Voids within solid insulation

• Contamination by particles on the surface of insulating material
• Irregularities (e.g. sharp edge) on the surface of insulating material
• Gas bubbles in liquid insulation
• Floating particles in gas insulation
• Discharges around an electrode in gas (corona activity)
• Mechanical failure or damage to insulation materials
PD activity is also affected by environmental factors, including temperature and humidity.

Typical UV / Corona sources on High-Voltage systems:

• Broken or damaged conductor strands
• Damaged insulator discs
• Spark gaps on loose clamps
• Pollution on conductors or insulators
• Missing or damaged corona rings
• Incorrect arc horns
• Flash-over paths
• Sharp hardware points or protrusions
• Corroded conductors

The Effects:
• Generation of light
• Audible noise
• Radio noise
• Vibration due to electric wind
• A deterioration of materials due to ion bombardment
• Generation of ozone, oxides of nitrogen, and in the presence of moisture, nitric acid
• Dissipation of energy

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Corona may typically occur:

• Around line conductors
• On spacers and dampers
• Damaged insulators - ceramic or non-ceramic
• Polluted insulators
• At the live ends of insulator assemblies and bushings
• At any point of your electrical equipment, where the electrical field strength exceeds
3kV/m

The prediction and prevention of faults is based on the principle that, once present, damage
resulting PD activity inevitably increases.

The ability to predict the way in which PD related faults develop is greatly enhanced by
knowledge of how specific assets behave, once the process of deterioration has begun.i

Corona description and introduction

Corona is electrical discharge that occurs on transmission lines and sub-station components,
including insulators, conductors, lines, cable terminations, bushings, and transmission line surge
arresters, and can indicate faulty equipment. Corona discharge is a luminous partial discharge
from conductors and insulators due to ionization of the air, where the electrical field exceeds a
critical value. A high local electric field ionizes the air and causes a discharge. This process is
accompanied by excitation of Nitrogen molecules, leading to emission of UV radiation. Thus, a
problem or defect in a component creating a local high electric field will show corona activity.
Besides generating audio noise and radio interference, corona and arcing on power lines and
substations accelerate degradation of various grid components and can indicate a number of
factors, which may cause an outage and/or safety, issue.ii

Detecting PD and Corona with IR thermography

Generating a heat is not mandatory, and a most cases of generating PD are “invisible” for IRT.
Fortunately, for maintenance purposes, there are many instruments for detecting and measuring
all kinds of PD regard on source, intensity etc.

With all those in mind (causes, sources and effects of PD), the most useful for IRT, is dissipation of
energy (heat). As we see, many factors influence for PD activity, if we have enough luck, and lot
of experience, we can detect “heat generating PD” with IRT. In most cases, we will see a
luminous sign of PD; even hear arcing, but not always.

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When we said, “generating a heat” we must have in mind that is not in big rate, and not on
places we usually find and expect “hot spots” on HV equipment, and sometimes those hot spots
can “hide” PD on HV device.

Before start IR inspection on HV equipment, we must be aware of:

• can be followed with arcing, thus there is possibility for arc flash!
• can be followed with generation of ozone, especially in the indoor facility
• be careful during opening cabinet doors! (ARC FLASH)
• safety issues
• PD creates a small temperature differences
• temperature range on camera (most sensitive)
• thermal focus (level and span) on camera must be well adjusted
• in the field, speed and direction of wind

The following text presents some examples from the field and describes partial discharges.

Detecting PD with IRT on medium voltage (MV) circuit breakers (CB)

Figure 1. Thermal image of MV (35 kV) oil filed circuit breaker with PD. This is rare case where temperature
difference is big (∆T = 20.0). CB was only energized (without load), and PD generate arcing, noise and
ozone. Thermal imager: FLIR P65, FOV: 24
During a inspection at a substation, a series of 35kV rack-in breaker cabinets have been scanned
with an infrared camera. For detecting this type of PD with IRT, we must open the cabinet door.
We can hear arcing and smell ozone.

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A visual sign of the partial discharge was white residue powder at the same location as the hot
spot, and crakcs on CB column surface. ΔT is 20 K, due to intensive partial discharges activity,
and presence of oil inside CB make this potential danger for arc flash.

Figure 2. Thermal image and photo of 35 kV vacuum CB. PD is generated at an unusual place: on the plastic
lever of CB mechanism. Thermal imager: FLIR P65, FOV: 24

During an inspection at a substation, a series of vacuum 35kV rack-in breaker has been scanned
with an infrared camera. For detecting this type of PD with IRT, we must open the cabinet door,
and only we can hear is arcing.

There were not visual signs for presence of PD. The presence of heating on that part of CB
indicates a serious problem. In the report, the IR image must be accompanied by photo, because
on the IR image we cannot point out or recognize a spot where PD is generated.

Figure 3. Photo image of vacuum CB captured on figure 2 after failure

After reporting about PD on vacuum CB and accentuation to repair as soon as possible, the
problem turns into a breakdown1

1
“A disruptive discharge through insulation, involving a sudden and large increase in current through the insulation
because of complete failure under electrostatic stress, also called puncture“. MIL-HDBK-454A,GUIDELINE
45,“CORONA AND ELECTRICAL BREAKDOWN PREVENTION“

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Detecting PD on stand-off bushings of MV knife switches

Figure 4. Thermal image and photo of a 35 kV knife switch. Temperature difference is (∆T = 11.1). Switch
was only energized (without load), and PD generates NO arcing, noise or ozone. You only can see
discoloration on stand-off bushing (white rings and marks). Those mark, well known, as “treeing” and they
always are sign of presence of PD. Thermal imager: FLIR P65, FOV: 24

During a inspection at a substation, a series of rack-in breaker cabinets have been scanned with
an infrared camera. Stand-off busnings are construction part of indoor substation for supporting
and holding components and bus bars. For detecting this type of PD with IRT, we must open the
cabinet door, but sometimes we can miss that problem, if we do not inspect equipment without
load.

A visual sign of the partial discharges ware white residue powder at the same location as the hot
spot (white rings and marks). There is NO arcing, noise or ozone, ΔT = 11.1, big enough to
detect with IR camera.

Figure 5 and 5a: Thermal images of a 35 kV knife switch. Temperature difference are (∆T = 13.9 and 6.2).
Switches were energized and under load, and PD generates arcing, noise and ozone. Thermal imager: FLIR
P65, FOV: 24

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For detecting this type of PD with IRT, there is no need to open cabinet door. Usually, switches
are placed above CB and easy to inspect.
A visual sign of the partial discharges ware white residue powder at the same location as the hot
spot (white rings and marks). There was arcing, noise and ozone, and ∆T is big enough to detect
with IR camera.

Detecting PD and corona on HV insulators chain, glass made

Figure 6. Thermal image of 110 kV insulator (glass) chain, outdoor facility (∆T = 6.4), PD generates only
noise. Thermal imager: FLIR P65, FOV: 7

During a inspection at a outdoor substation, a series of insulators chains have been scanned with
an infrared camera. This is example of IR inspecting HV outdoor substation, and detecting PD.
Generating PD on HV (35 kV and above) are common issue.
Insulators are 10 meter and more, above ground, and PD can be missed with normal (FOV: 24)
lenses, because of that we must use FOV: 7. Possible causes are mechanical failure or damage,
PD activity affected by environmental factors, including temperature, humidity and pollution.

Detecting PD on surge arresters

Figure 7. Thermal image of a 35 kV surge

arrester, on an outside wall, rel. humidity 95% (∆T
= 9,3), PD generates only heat, mostly forced by
big humidity. Thermal imager: FLIR P65, FOV: 24

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Figure 8. Thermal image of a 35 kV surge arrester, on outside a concrete post, (∆T = 6,5), PD generates only
heat, but arresters are far away and we cannot hear arcing or smell ozone. Thermal imager: FLIR P65, FOV: 7

Surge arresters are commonly made for outside mounting (on walls, posts), and because of that,
environmental influences are big. Sun, wind, rel. humidity and distance can be a big problem
during IR inspection, because temperature differences are small and hard to find.
Comments: Surge arresters are important part in protection overhead lines. Most arresters are
directly connected to the system; they are exposed to voltage stress continuously. Even a little
temperature difference between arresters in the same HV line is a big problem. IR inspection
must be performed in specific weather condition. Sun and wind can be an aggravating factor
during inspection; sometimes rel. humidity can help; and for long distance - use telephoto lens.
In addition, use high-resolution palette (rain, rain HC) of colors.

Detecting PD on cables and cables termination (EPR and XLPE)

Figure 9. Thermal image and photo of 35 kV cables (XLPE) terminations indoor montage, (∆T = 14, 1). Cables
were only energized (without load), and PD generates arcing, noise and ozone. Without load, the good
cable is almost unrecognizable in the IR image. Thermal imager: FLIR P65, FOV: 24

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During a inspection at a substation, a series of cables termination were being scanned with
infrared. For detecting, this type of PD with IRT we must open the cabinet door, although can
hear arcing and smell ozone. Thermographer must be very careful during IR inspection of cables
where is presence of PD is so obvious, and to be aware that PD needs only voltage to show up
and cause a problem.

A visual sign of the partial discharges ware white residue powder at the same location as the hot
spot (white rings and marks). There was arcing, noise and ozone, and ∆T is big enough to detect
with IR camera.

Figure 10. Thermal image of 35 kV cables (XLPE) terminations indoor montage. Cable was only energized
(without load), and PD generates arcing, noise and ozone. It is the same cable, lower and upper part of
termination. Thermal imager: FLIR P65, FOV: 24

On the right part of image we can hardly see another cable (already repaired, with insulating
sheds), because lack of load. There is a temperature difference (a few degrees), but a surface of
cable must be uniform, like on that on left side. Even a few degrees ∆T on that part of cable can
be a big problem.

Figure 11. Thermal image of 35 kV cables (XLPE) terminations indoor montage. Cables were energized,
loaded, and PD generates arcing, noise and ozone. (∆T = 5.2). Thermal imager: FLIR P65, FOV: 24

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The same problem like on images above and at the same part of cable termination – copper
earthig conductor. From my experience, same couse of problem – bad workmanship of
terminations.

Conclusion

Infrared thermography is useful technique for detecting problems on high voltage equipment.
Resistance problems associated with current flow can be detected by infrared, but partial
discharges and corona are a voltage problem that seldom generates heat. Partial discharge and
corona are leading to electrical breakdown, and sometimes, to serious injuries. On the market
there are many instruments made for detecting and measure PD and corona. For some purpose
and measurements, they are irreplaceable.
In most cases, temperature differences between aerie with presence of PD and corona, and aerie
without PD are small, a few degrees. Because of that, environmental influences (sun, wind) can
effect on correct detecting PD with IR camera in outdoor substations.
The use of infrared technology compliments an ultrasound inspection program by increasing
one’s ability to locate these destructive problems and take corrective action. In most cases,
corona and PD problems provide visual evidence of their existence. Understanding the factors
that cause these problems and their physical clues should bring a new awareness to the infrared
thermographer.

About the author

Sreten Dobrivojevic
Electric power distribution company of Belgrade (EDB), Serbia
Thermography Dipartment
Masarikova 1-3, Belgrade, Serbia
Email: sretend@edb.rs
http://www.edb.rs/
Electric power distribution of Belgrade” (EDB) is responsible for supplying about 3 million
consumer in that area, and of course, IR thermography (IRT) is a part of PM and CM since ’90.

i
pd-academy.com

ii
Investigation of ultraviolet transmission characteristics of detecting window in ultraviolet corona
inspector
ZHENG DONG*, DA-GUI HUANG
School of Mechatronics Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu,
Sichuan, 610000, China

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