A Physical Calibrator for Partial Discharge Meters

Abstract

This article offers an alternative method of calibrating partial discharge meters for research and teaching purposes. Most current modern calibrators are implemented as precise voltage pulse sources with a coupling capacitor. However, our calibrator is based on the physical principles of dielectric materials distributed in a plane or space. Calibrator design is unique and there is an attempt to get closer to the behavior of the measured real objects. The calibration impulses are created by energy from a high voltage power supply at the specific or nominal value of the applied voltage. At the same time, it is possible to simulate the value and quantity of the discharges and their position in the object relative to the input electrodes. The calibrator creates conditions as a real measured object with adjustable parameters. This paper describes a design of this type of calibrator, its implementation, numerical simulation of discharge values and laboratory measurements with functional verification using the Tettex 9520 calibrator and galvanic measured system DDX 7000/8003 and DDX 9121b. All measurements are carried out using the CVVOZEPowerLab Research Infrastructure equipment.