On-line PD detection in power cables using matched filters

On-line measuring of partial discharge (PD) is generally impeded by noise, and in many cases PDs cannot be detected without filtering. Solely the pulse propagation path and the response of the detection circuit determine the shape of a PD pulse; therefore a PD can be regarded as a deterministic signal embedded in additive noise. The optimal filter for this class of signals is the matched filter, which maximises the signal-to-noise ratio at the filter output. Matched filters allow making reliable observations of PD signals embedded in noise and precise estimations of signal parameters, such as arrival time and charge. In order to obtain PD matched filters; knowledge of the PD wave shapes is crucial. A cable propagation model provides such knowledge, and matched filters can be designed specifically for the cable under test. Moreover, by estimating noise statistics the matched filters can be tailored for a practical measuring situation. Experimental results show that partial discharge detection greatly benefits from matched filtering

Measurement of transmission line parameters of three-core power cables with common earth screen

In power cables fast transient signals arise because of partial discharges. These signals propagate to the cable ends where they can be detected for diagnostic purposes. To enable optimal detection sensitivity and to judge their severity the propagation parameters Z c (characteristic impedance) and ÿ¿ (propagation coefficient) need to be known. A three-core power cable with a single metallic earth screen around the assembly of the cores has multiple, coupled propagation modes with corresponding characteristic impedances and propagation coefficients. This paper presents a practical method to measure and analyse the cable parameters. The propagation modes are decoupled into a modal solution. The modal solution is interpreted in terms of convenient propagation modes: a shield-to-phase (SP) propagation mode between conductors and earth screen and two identical phase-to-phase (PP) modes between conductors. The measurement method, based on a pulse response measurement, to determine all transmission line parameters of the SP and PP modes is proposed and tested on a cable sample. The model is validated by predicting the time, shape and amplitude of multiple reflections in all modes resulting from an injected pulse

Comparison of arrival time estimate methods for partial discharge pulses in power cables

Accurate location of partial discharges in power cable systems, based on arrival times, is critical for the identification and assessment of defects. This paper evaluates different time-of-arrival algorithms in order to determine which method yields most accurate location under different circumstances. These methods are based on threshold, Akaikepsilas information criterion, energy criterion, Gaborpsilas signal epoch and phase in frequency domain. Several criteria are defined by which the algorithms are evaluated. These criteria include the sensitivity to noise, pulse shape and effect of load impedance. The sensitivity of the methods upon varying these quantities is evaluated analytically and by means of simulations. From the results the energy criterion method and the phase method show the best performanc

Influence of ring-main-units and substations on the propagation of PD pulses

Partial discharge (PD) location in online diagnostics on medium voltage cables is achieved using a sensor at each cable end. Monitoring consecutive cables with a single monitoring system would, however, be more efficient. Moreover, substations and ring main units (RMU) along a cable connection without possibilities for sensor installation can be circumvented by installing the sensor at the next RMU. This paper studies the influence of RMUs and substations along the cable under test on online PD monitoring, including their influence on detection sensitivity, location accuracy and charge estimate accuracy. Models for RMUs and substation are proposed and verified by measurements. The performance of online PD monitoring is studied for a number of network configurations

Statistical approach to identify the discharge source in MV cables and accessories

Partial discharge (PD) analysis is a reliable tool to assess the integrity of electrical insulation. Representation and interpretation of the data, obtained from e.g. online PD monitoring, are key issues to reveal the discharge source, i.e. defect type, as well as the physical phenomena behind the occurrence. Analyses of various PD patterns such as discharge height distribution presented in this work provide useful statistical parameters to identify the discharge source. Research shows that the 2-parameter Weibull distribution is a reliable model to quantify the characteristics of the patterns of the defect. The model fits well to the charge-height distribution. In addition, trends in the discharge density pattern that occur over long times, can be used as complementary information to discover the discharge nature. It alerts for a possible failure and therefore assists in taking corrective measures to prevent failure. This paper presents the application of such statistical modeling to the area of on-line power cable diagnostics. Data obtained from laboratory experiments as well as field data have been studied

Detection limitation of high frequency signal travelling along underground power cable

The detection of the high frequency signal propagating along underground power cables is part of many monitoring techniques, e.g. partial discharge (PD) based diagnostics. On one hand, higher frequency corresponds to better spatial resolution, which means more accurate PD location. On the other hand, signal attenuation increases with frequency. Apart from the signal itself, noise level and detection equipment also play a role in the signal detection process. This paper focuses on the detection limitation of high frequency components in PD signals travelling along an underground power cable considering effects of signal attenuation, noise level and applied equipment. The attenuation coefficient is based on measurements from 10kV three-core XLPE cables. Though the attenuation coefficients for other types of cables differ, the measured value for this particular cable provides a practical parameter value, and it can be altered to match other cable types. The detected analog signal is digitized through an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and may be averaged before being digitally stored. In addition, an amplifier and/or filter can be applied before the analog to digital (AD) conversion. The vertical resolution and the vertical sensitivity of the ADC are crucial for signal detection. Effect of noise is considered in this paper by analyzing Gaussian noise and typical noise characteristics obtained from field measured. Sinusoidal wave and Gaussian pulse shapes are applied as input signals for the cable. Firstly, the relationship between maximum cable length and detectable frequency components for a specific set of detection equipment conditions is analyzed without averaging. This is the limitation from ADC. Secondly, the merits and limits of averaging are studied. The required averaging time for different frequencies as a function of PD signal propagation length is studied. Finally, the effect of averaging and analog filtering is demonstrated with test measurements

Power cable joint model : based on lumped components and cascaded transmission line approach

Models in high frequency range for underground power cable connections are essential for the interpretation of partial discharge (PD) signals arising e.g. diagnostic techniques. This paper focuses on modeling of power cable joints. A lumped parameter odel and a cascaded transmission line model are proposed based on scattering parameters (S -parameters) measurement on a 10 kV oil-filled PILC-PILC straight cable joint in the frequency range of 300 kHz-800 MHz. It is shown that the lumped model is suitable for up to 10 MHz while the transmission line model can cover the whole frequency range. The cascaded transmission line model is applied to simulate the reflection on a 150 kV single core XLPE straight joint. Comparison between measurement and simulation indicates that the model parameters (characteristic impedance and propagation coefficient) can be matched to predict the joint’s propagation characteristics

Detection limitation of high frequency signal travelling along underground power cable

The detection of the high frequency signal propagating along underground power cables is part of many monitoring techniques, e.g. partial discharge (PD) based diagnostics. On one hand, higher frequency corresponds to better spatial resolution, which means more accurate PD location. On the other hand, signal attenuation increases with frequency. Apart from the signal itself, noise level and detection equipment also play a role in the signal detection process. This paper focuses on the detection limitation of high frequency components in PD signals travelling along an underground power cable considering effects of signal attenuation, noise level and applied equipment. The attenuation coefficient is based on measurements from 10kV three-core XLPE cables. Though the attenuation coefficients for other types of cables differ, the measured value for this particular cable provides a practical parameter value, and it can be altered to match other cable types. The detected analog signal is digitized through an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and may be averaged before being digitally stored. In addition, an amplifier and/or filter can be applied before the analog to digital (AD) conversion. The vertical resolution and the vertical sensitivity of the ADC are crucial for signal detection. Effect of noise is considered in this paper by analyzing Gaussian noise and typical noise characteristics obtained from field measured. Sinusoidal wave and Gaussian pulse shapes are applied as input signals for the cable. Firstly, the relationship between maximum cable length and detectable frequency components for a specific set of detection equipment conditions is analyzed without averaging. This is the limitation from ADC. Secondly, the merits and limits of averaging are studied. The required averaging time for different frequencies as a function of PD signal propagation length is studied. Finally, the effect of averaging and analog filtering is demonstrated with test measurements

Partial discharge propagation in three-core cables with common earth screen

Online partial discharge (PD) detection and location in cable systems is a valuable tool for the estimation of the condition of the system. Different types of cables are encountered in medium-voltage (MV) connections and appropriate models must be constructed to predict PD signal propagation. For three-core power cables with a single common earth screen a multiconductor transmission line (MTL) model is required. This paper presents an MTL model of a such a cable, including interpretation of the decoupled solution as convenient propagation modes. A complicating factor in the estimation of the transmission line parameters of these propagation modes is the presence of semiconducting layers. These layers have a significant influence on the transmission line parameters. Unfortunately, the dielectric properties of these layers are usually unknown for the frequency range of interest for PD diagnostics. It is shown that nonetheless the characteristic impedance and propagation velocity can be estimated using information available in most cable specifications. the estimated values are validated using pulse response measurements on a cable sample. ©2009 IEEE