Estimation of Partial Discharge Parameters in GIS Using Acoustic Emission Techniques

Abstract

Electrical discharge activity within an electrical power apparatus has detrimental effects on the insulating components of the system, and thus its prognosis and diagnosis are of utmost importance. Traditional electrical methods have been replaced by newer techniques such as acoustic detection. Among these, acoustic methods possess certain inherent advantages, especially where complex electrical systems like GIS are involved. The major concerns therein are the estimation of the magnitude of the discharge level as well as location of the source of discharge. The present work addresses, on a theoretical basis, problems connected with identification, measurement and location of electrical discharges, in particular in GIS. Models for the inception and propagation of p.d. within GIS have been proposed. This study, based essentially on a numerical simulation model, corroborates many of the experimental findings reported in the existing literature, and in addition attempts to suggest newer directions in magnitude estimation and location of p.d.