Calibration Proposal for UHF Partial Discharge Measurements at Power Transformers

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.