Calibration Proposal for UHF Partial Discharge Measurements at Power Transformers

Martin Siegel, Sebastian Coenen, Michael Beltle, Stefan Tenbohlen, Marc Weber, Pascal Fehlmann, Stefan M. Hoek, Ulrich Kempf, Robert Schwarz, Thomas Linn and Jitka Fuhr
Additional contact information
Martin Siegel: BSS Hochspannungstechnik GmbH, 71229 Leonberg, Germany
Sebastian Coenen: Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology (EIT), University of Applied Science Karlsruhe, 76133 Karlsruhe, Germany
Michael Beltle: Institute of Power Transmission and High Voltage Technology (IEH), University of Stuttgart, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
Stefan Tenbohlen: Institute of Power Transmission and High Voltage Technology (IEH), University of Stuttgart, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
Marc Weber: Siemens AG, Transformer Lifecycle Management, 90461 Nürnberg, Germany
Pascal Fehlmann: FKH Fachkommission für Hochspannungsfragen, 8050 Zürich, Switzerland
Stefan M. Hoek: OMICRON Energy Solutions GmbH, 12099 Berlin, Germany
Ulrich Kempf: GE Grid GmbH, 41065 Mönchengladbach, Germany
Robert Schwarz: Siemens AG Österreich, Transformers Weiz, 8160 Weiz, Austria
Thomas Linn: QUALITROL LLC, Fairport, NY 14450, USA
Jitka Fuhr: AF Engineers + Consultants (AFEC) GmbH, 3807 Istelwald, Switzerland

Energies, 2019, vol. 12, issue 16, 1-17

Abstract: The continuous, non-intermitted service of electrical grids relies on the reliability of their assets, e.g., power transformers. Local insulation defects can result in serve failures such as breakdowns with severe subsequent costs. The prevention of such events is crucial. Hence, partial discharge (PD) activity at power transformers is evaluated directly in the factory before shipment. Additionally, PD activity can be monitored during service using the ultra-high frequency (UHF) method. In this contribution, a calibration procedure is proposed for the UHF method. The calibration process is required to ensure both, reproducibility and comparability of UHF measurements: Only a calibrated UHF measurement procedure can be introduced supplementary to IEC 60270 in acceptance tests of power transformers. The proposed calibration method considers two factors: The influence of the UHF-antenna’s sensitivity and the PD recorder characteristics including accessories such as cable damping, pre-amplifier, etc. The former is addressed by a characterization of UHF sensors using the standard antenna factor ( AF ) in a gigahertz transverse electromagnetic (GTEM) cell. The PD recorder’s influence is corrected by using a defined, invariable test signal as reference for all recording devices. A practical evaluation of the proposed calibration procedure is performed in a laboratory setup using different UHF recording devices and UHF sensors using artificial PD signals and real voltage-driven PD sources.

Keywords: power transformers; partial discharge; PD; UHF; calibration; monitoring; acceptance tests; IEC 60270; PD sensors; antenna factor (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (10)

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