Partial Discharge
The Challenge
Detecting partial discharge damage and insulation degradation at an 11KV substation on our esteemed client site.
We recently conducted a non-intrusive Online Partial discharge survey at one of our client's substations, where alarming levels of Partial Discharge activity were detected in an 11kV cable termination. This was likely caused by high electrical stress due to reduced clearance and poor installation methods.
Our Approach
We proposed to use the IPEC PD detector pro. PD detector pro is a hand-held spot tester for walk-through surveys to detect the Partial Discharge activity. The PD Detector Pro is a compact and portable device highlighting easy usability, live data analysis and robust applications, for medium and high-voltage assets.
Our Findings
With the help of PD Detector Pro from the house of IPEC, UK; we successfully detected the discharge activity on a cable termination. The instrument’s in-built ultrasonic sensor detected alarming levels of PD and Phase-resolved Partial discharge (PRPD) patterns.
In an 11 kV system, the voltage stress is relatively high; When the insulation is damaged, the electric field around the exposed conductor can become uneven or concentrated, leading to localised areas of high electrical stress. High electrical stress in a cable can cause several detrimental effects, particularly in insulation breakdown and eventual cable failure.
Our Solution
PD detector pro has been used as a spot tester to detect partial discharge activity, and IPEC ASM-C has been employed to continuously monitor the Medium and High voltage equipment.
With this proactive strategy, we can identify early signs of PD activity, facilitating timely maintenance to prevent further damage and ensure the longevity and reliability of the MV/HV assets in the substation.
The PD Detector Pro for Partial Discharge monitoring system offers advanced noise rejection algorithms to effectively filter out background electrical noise and a high-resolution colour touchscreen for intuitive operation. It incorporates CC-TEV, Ultrasonic, HFCT, UHF, and VDS sensors, ensuring comprehensive coverage for detecting PD activity. With audio feedback on all sensor channels, USB-C charging capability, long battery life, and seamless data storage with PC synchronisation, The PD detector Pro system provides robust functionality for effective PD detection and analysis in electrical assets.
Following repairs and rectification, implementing IPEC ASM-C will provide continuous online condition data for trending and monitoring PD thereby, ensuring insulation integrity and workplace safety.
The IPEC ASM-C is a permanent partial discharge (PD) monitor designed to monitor and trend partial discharge activity on medium and high-voltage equipment. It detects excessive discharge and sends customisable alerts via email or on-site notifications, continuously monitoring the condition of various substation equipment and allowing for remote access to its data.
If you're facing similar challenges or seeking to enhance plant reliability and safety with Online Partial discharge testing and continuous monitoring solutions, Contact us today! Let's collaborate to improve your plant reliability and extend asset life with Predictive maintenance.