This work is focused on the measurement of partial discharges in gas insulated conductors manufactured by ABB. The theoretical part contains the definition of partial discharges, their analysis and detection methods. It also deals with the general description of gas-insulated substations and then with the concrete components manufactured at ABB in the Brno-Slatina production plant. The practical part describes the course of measurement, definition of the main problems and their explanation. The output from the practical part is a measurement library with given characteristics, which show the location and character of the problem in detecting partial discharge in a given encapsulated assembly.

Condition monitoring (CM) of electrical equipment is an important field in electrical engineering and a considerable amount of research is dedicated to this field. Power cables are one of the most important parts of any electrical network and the variety of techniques available for CM of electrical cables is therefore no surprise. Electrical cables are exposed to operational and environmental stressors which will cause degradation of the insulation material. The degradation will continue to the point where the cable fails. Blackouts caused by failing cables will have an effect on the safety, efficiency and production of an electrical network. It is therefore important to constantly monitor the condition of electrical cables, in order to prevent the premature failure of cables. The research presented in this dissertation sets out to investigate CM techniques for power cables and to design and implement a basic cable CM technique based on the principles of partial discharge (PD) measurements. A comprehensive literature study introduces the fundamental concepts regarding the CM of power cables. The basic construction of electrical cables, as well as the variety of different types is researched in order to lay a foundation for the research that follow. CM techniques for electrical equipment are investigated, with the emphasis on techniques used on cables. Conducted research led to the decision to focus on CM by means of PD measurements. PD as a phenomenon is investigated to be able to better understand the origins and effects of discharge activity. From there the focus shifts to the available techniques for monitoring the condition of electrical cables by means of PD measurements. The research conducted in the literature study chapter forms the basis from which the rest of the study is conducted. Simulation models were used to study PD characteristics. The models are derived from engineering and mathematical principles and are based on the well-known three-capacitor model of PD. The simulations were performed in order to study the effects of discharge activity. The designed simulation models allows for a variety of PD characteristics to be studied. The simulations were performed in the MATLAB® Simulink® environment. The research conducted in the dissertation was used to design an elementary CM technique which can be used to detect the presence of PD within electrical cables. The designed CM technique was used for the practical measurement of PD data. MATLAB® programs were designed in order to analyse the PD data in both the time- and frequency-domain. The analysis of the measured data revealed PD characteristics of the test specimen used for the measurements. The designed CM is used for the detection of PD activity within electrical cables and in combination with other techniques, may be used for complete CM of electrical cables. The experimental setup which was used to take practical PD measurements adds another dimension to the work presented in this dissertation. / MIng (Electrical and Electronic Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Condition monitoring (CM) of electrical equipment is an important field in electrical engineering and a considerable amount of research is dedicated to this field. Power cables are one of the most important parts of any electrical network and the variety of techniques available for CM of electrical cables is therefore no surprise. Electrical cables are exposed to operational and environmental stressors which will cause degradation of the insulation material. The degradation will continue to the point where the cable fails. Blackouts caused by failing cables will have an effect on the safety, efficiency and production of an electrical network. It is therefore important to constantly monitor the condition of electrical cables, in order to prevent the premature failure of cables. The research presented in this dissertation sets out to investigate CM techniques for power cables and to design and implement a basic cable CM technique based on the principles of partial discharge (PD) measurements. A comprehensive literature study introduces the fundamental concepts regarding the CM of power cables. The basic construction of electrical cables, as well as the variety of different types is researched in order to lay a foundation for the research that follow. CM techniques for electrical equipment are investigated, with the emphasis on techniques used on cables. Conducted research led to the decision to focus on CM by means of PD measurements. PD as a phenomenon is investigated to be able to better understand the origins and effects of discharge activity. From there the focus shifts to the available techniques for monitoring the condition of electrical cables by means of PD measurements. The research conducted in the literature study chapter forms the basis from which the rest of the study is conducted. Simulation models were used to study PD characteristics. The models are derived from engineering and mathematical principles and are based on the well-known three-capacitor model of PD. The simulations were performed in order to study the effects of discharge activity. The designed simulation models allows for a variety of PD characteristics to be studied. The simulations were performed in the MATLAB® Simulink® environment. The research conducted in the dissertation was used to design an elementary CM technique which can be used to detect the presence of PD within electrical cables. The designed CM technique was used for the practical measurement of PD data. MATLAB® programs were designed in order to analyse the PD data in both the time- and frequency-domain. The analysis of the measured data revealed PD characteristics of the test specimen used for the measurements. The designed CM is used for the detection of PD activity within electrical cables and in combination with other techniques, may be used for complete CM of electrical cables. The experimental setup which was used to take practical PD measurements adds another dimension to the work presented in this dissertation. / MIng (Electrical and Electronic Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

M. Tech. (Power Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering and Technology) -- Vaal University of Technology / This dissertation is devoted to the study of partial discharge evaluation of a high voltage transformer. The 400 V/300 000 V (300 kV) high voltage transformer in the high voltage laboratory was manufactured in 1967. Given the old age of the transformer and the crucial importance of insulation systems, it is vital to assess the condition of its insulation to ensure the effectiveness and the reliability of the transformer as well as the safety of the personnel using it. In order to achieve that, it is important to evaluate the partial discharge in the insulation system as this is the main cause of destruction of insulation. The phase-resolved partial discharge method was the main method used to perform the partial discharge measurements in this research. Partial discharge measurements were performed on a faulty 11 kV voltage transformer. Defects were also created in samples of solid insulation at predetermined locations with different shapes and sizes. The measurements taken on the 11 kV voltage transformer and samples of solid insulation formed a basis to prove the validity of the assessment methods on the 300 kV transformer. Using the method mentioned above, partial discharges were recorded with respect to the phase of the applied voltage with the aid of a commercial instrument which complies with IEC 60270, (ICM monitor - partial discharge detector from Power Diagnostix Systems GmbH). The observations from this study have furthered the understanding of partial discharge processes. The patterns recorded were analysed in order to conclude about the condition of the transformer. From the partial discharge pattern, the type and location of partial discharges were concluded. The patterns obtained from the transformer reveal that the device is healthy and can be operated up to 200 kV.

This doctoral thesis is comprised of five parts. The first three parts concern signal processing and electromagnetic modelling of multiport antennas. The last two parts concern signal processing and transmission line theory applied to wave splitting on transmission lines. In Part I, the spherical vector wave expansion of the electromagnetic field is used to completely characterize a multiport antenna. A general framework for modelling an antenna configuration based on measurement data and numerical computation is obtained. The generic electromagnetic model for arbitrary multiport antennas or vector sensors is applied in direction of arrival (DOA) estimation. Next, in Part II using the generic electromagnetic model (from Part I), we obtain the Cramér–Rao bound (CRB) for DOA and polarization estimation using arbitrary multiport antennas. In the Gaussian case, the CRB is given in terms of the transmission matrix, the spherical vector harmonics and its spatial derivatives. Numerical examples using an ideal Tripole antenna array and a non-ideal Tetrahedron antenna array are included. In Part III, the theory of optimal experiments is applied to a cylindrical antenna near-field measurement setup. The D-optimal (determinant) formulation using the Fisher information matrix of the multipole coefficients in the spherical wave expansion of the electrical field result in the optimal measurement positions. The estimation of the multipole coefficients and corresponding electric field using the optimal measurement points is studied using numerical examples and singular value analysis. Further, Part IV describes a Digital Directional Coupler (DDC), a device for wave splitting on a transmission line. The DDC is a frequency domain digital wave splitter based on two independent wide-band measurements of the voltage and the current. A calibration of the digital processor is included to account for the particular transmission line and the sensors that are employed. Properties of the DDC are analyzed using the CRB and an experiment where wave splitting was conducted on a coaxial–cable is accounted for. Finally, in Part V the DDC has been designed and implemented for wave splitting on a medium voltage power cable in a power distribution station using low cost wide–band sensors. Partial discharge measurements are conducted on cross–linked polyethylene insulated power cables. The directional separation capabilities of the DDC are visualized and utilized to separate multiple reflections from partial discharges based on the direction of travel.

The widespread application of pressurized SF6 gas and its mixtures as insulating medium in many electric power applications is the result of recent advances in technologies. The likelihood of failure for a Gas Insulated Substation or Transmission Line (GIS/GITL) is primarily due to the presence of defects inside the equipment. Defects can be introduced into the GIS/GITL system for various reasons. Partial discharge (PD) is a natural phenomenon occurring in the GIS/GITL systems, which invariably contains defects. During commissioning or routine tests PD measurements serve to identify the type and status of a defect. Of particular interest for this research work will be the critical review of PD measurement for different types of free conducting particles in the gas using the UHF method due to its superiority among others. The work highlights the integrity of the method as a tool for both commissioning and routine tests and its alignment with the high voltage SF6 test standards is reviewed. 80/20 N2/SF6 mixture is used to reduce the surface roughness effect in pure SF6, as well as for the reduction of economical and environmental risks.

Causes and effects of partial discharges (PD) inside electrical high-voltage insulation was studied prior to taking measurements with a PDS100 spectralanalyser during excursions to a number of substations in the Swedish electrical grid.This to develop a working-method and manual for workers to use periodically whileon site to be able to identify components on which maintenance is needed. Noprominent signs of PD was measured during the excursions although with materialfrom previous measurements showing PD, provided by the manufacturer of thePDS100, a manual to use in the field could be developed.

High-voltage (HV) outdoor composite insulators used in transmission lines are made of two polymers, comprising the core and housing, bonded together with metallic end-connections. The interface between these polymers is parallel to the electric field, which makes the insulators more prone to interfacial problems at these common points [1]. If interfacial ageing occurs, degradation and catastrophic breakdown can result [2]. Therefore, the design reliability of outdoor composite insulators depends on the high-strength bond between the core and the housing [3],[4]. Research findings by Kutil and Froshlic [5] indicate that delaminated areas, cavities and/or micro cracks in the medium are enough to initiate streamer discharges along the interface that are capable of degrading both insulating materials. The heat, UV radiation, and high-energy electrons produced from such discharge activity resulted in the growth of carbon paths along the interface, known as ‘tracking’, ultimately causing failure [6]. This investigation focuses on the development of tracking between silicone rubber and epoxy resin, with a view to replicating the tracking phenomena seen within composite insulators in service. A fine wire is placed between the dielectrics materials to enhance the local electric field magnitude and initiate discharge processes. The resulting partial discharge (PD) activity has been monitored. This Information has been used to understand the inception and propagation of the interfacial tracking. A strong relationship was found between maximum PD magnitude and track length. PD patterns and unique detailed images of the interfacial tracking development, allowed identification of the growth characteristics of interfacial channels and phases of tracking growth. Furthermore, a correlation in the mechanisms of interfacial degradation was found between the lab-fabricated samples and commercial composite rods. Finally, a growth model of interfacial ageing has been developed with the information from FEA models, PD patterns and the detailed images of tracking growth. The physical structure and chemical analysis of interfacial tracking is also disclosed to provide an insight into interfacial ageing mechanisms that occur in the composite insulators under electrical stress.

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