Partial discharge measurements

Partial Discharge Measurements and Electrical Equipment Diagnostics

The laboratory is equipped with advanced instrumentation for the detection, monitoring, and analysis of partial discharges (PD) in electrical insulation systems and high-voltage equipment. Partial discharge measurements are a key diagnostic tool for assessing insulation integrity, identifying defects at an early stage, and evaluating the condition and expected lifetime of electrical assets.

The facility employs ultra-wideband detection systems, including Techimp PDBase and PDCheck, together with a wide range of specialized sensors to ensure high-sensitivity PD detection under different operating conditions. Available sensors include HFCTs (High-Frequency Current Transformers), capacitive couplers, antennas, acoustic sensors, and optical sensing solutions.

Applications:

• Diagnostics and condition assessment of electrical insulation systems
• Detection and characterization of insulation defects
• Monitoring of aging and degradation processes
• Evaluation of insulation performance under conventional and power-electronic supply conditions
• Development of advanced diagnostic methodologies and data analysis techniques
• Artificial intelligence-based identification and classification of partial discharge sources

Tested equipment includes:

• MV, HV, and EHV power cables and accessories
• MV, HV, and EHV transformers
• Low-voltage electric motors supplied by power electronics, including low-pressure applications for more-electric aircraft
• Medium-voltage motors and generators
• Gas-insulated switchgear (GIS)

The laboratory also has extensive expertise in partial discharge pattern recognition, source separation algorithms, UHF diagnostics, fiber-optic sensing technologies, and the development of diagnostic databases for advanced insulation condition monitoring.

Further info:

• Algorithms for PD separation (TF map)
• Laboratory testing for building identification database
• Artificial intelligence tools for partial discharge source recognition
• UHF detection for mesurements on power electronic supplied equipment
• PD measurements by means of Optic Fiber sensors