Experimental Results of Partial Discharge Localization in Bounded Domains

Area of Science:

• Electrical Engineering
• Electromagnetics
• Diagnostic Techniques

Background:

• Partial Discharges (PDs) are a significant concern in Medium Voltage (MV) and High Voltage (HV) equipment.
• Accurate localization of PDs is crucial for preventing equipment failure and ensuring grid reliability.
• Existing methods may lack robustness in complex operational environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel diagnostic method for localizing Partial Discharges (PDs) within MV and HV equipment.
• To develop a robust and accurate technique applicable to bounded domains with fixed boundary conditions.
• To validate the proposed method's effectiveness through experimental testing.

Main Methods:

• Utilizes Electromagnetic (EM) measurements for PD detection and localization.
• Employs an eigenfunctions series expansion method for EM field reconstruction.
• Applies the method to equipment like Oil-Filled Power Transformers (OFPTs), Air Insulated Switchgears (AISs), Gas Insulated Switchgears (GISs), and Gas Insulated Transmission Lines (GILs).

Main Results:

• Successfully reconstructed the electromagnetic field generated by PDs.
• Accurately localized PD sources within the tested equipment.
• Demonstrated robustness and accuracy even in complex, real-world scenarios.

Conclusions:

• The proposed diagnostic method offers a powerful and accurate solution for PD localization in critical electrical infrastructure.
• The eigenfunctions series expansion method provides a physically grounded approach for reliable diagnostics.
• Experimental validation confirms the method's potential for enhancing the maintenance and safety of MV/HV equipment.