Abstract Increasing load on power transformers causes the problems related to avoid external interference [1]. The
stress on power transformers. Due to continuously stress on reliability of power transformers mainly depends on the
power transformers weakens the insulation of winding and condition of insulation. Therefore any indication of terrible
producing arcing called partial discharge (PD). Partial failure must be detected at early stage. it is widely accepted
discharges seriously affect the reliability of power transformers that the presence of PD may start and lead to failure of power
and lead to destroy transformer. Insulating materials play a transformer. Even though there is no direct relationship
major role in longevity of power transformer. The objective of between occurrences of PD in power transformer failure, it is
this paper is to contrast the different techniques used for widely accepted that the presence of PD may start and lead to
detection and localization of PD at the initial stage in power
failure of power transformer. If the PD pulse allowed to
transformer winding and to investigate which is the best
growing overtime, it can cause the insulation to deteriorate
insulating materials (paper and epoxy resins) to be used to
prolong the power transformers life expectancy. From
which may lead to complete breakdown of the power
literature, it is found that information regarding detection of PD transformer insulation [2].PD is an electrical discharge or
in power transformer is not enough to perform necessary action sparks that bridge small fraction of insulating between two
because the location of PD is still unknown. So localization of PD conducting electrodes. PD can occur when electric field
is necessary to recommend corrective actions. In order to strength go beyond the breakdown strength of insulation and
overcome this problem, different techniques such as electrical can lead to flashover [3]. PD is most common phenomena
method, acoustic method, UHF detection method and optical which occur in high voltage equipment especially power
methods are used to locate and detect the PD. UHF detection transformer and power cables. Several causes of occurrence of
method has a many advantages compared to other PD detection PDs are ageing in the insulation and electrical overstressing on
methods such as immunity against background noise and other equipment or presence of defects (voids, cracks) presented
unwanted signals that can affect the measurement, reduce the during manufacturing [4]. Power transformer reliability can be
design complexity, reduce the design cost and provides the seriously affected by partial discharge (PD) [5].
accurate and precise location of PD source. From the simulation,
it is found that the paper is most recommended to be used as Various methods such as electrical, acoustic, UHF
insulating material in power transformers compare to epoxy detection and optical methods have been proposed for detection
resins due to papers electrical properties. and localization of PD in power transformer winding. Non-
electric PD location methods include the acoustic techniques
Keywords- Acoustic method, Electrical method, optical method, which uses acoustic emission from the discharge and time
Partial Discharge (PD), UHF detection difference travel to acoustic sensor. Electrical PD detection
method measures apparent charge quantity using conventional
I. INTRODUCTION PD measuring circuitry and instruments with an effective
frequency bandwidth of less than 500KHz. Ultra High
Partial discharges (PD) are one of the main causes of frequency (UHF) PD detection utilizes the frequency
deterioration of insulating material in power transformer
components of a discharge signal in range of 300MHz-3GHz
windings. Many researches already had been done to find PD for detecting discharge in power transformers. Since electrical
mechanism, the PD detection techniques, the relationship
methods of PD detection are more sensitive, electrical location
between PD and the damage they cause to insulating materials techniques are preferable for PD online monitoring [6].
and insulating system, the location of PD sources and the
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Partial discharges seriously affect the reliability of power B. Acoustic Detection Methods
transformers and lead to destroy transformer. The objective of
this paper is to contrast the different techniques used for The acoustic method is very attractive alternative for on-
detection and location of partial discharge at the time of line partial discharge detection in power transformers. The
creation in power transformer winding. transformer tank is grounded; therefore the sensors can be
placed in a safe way, over any point of any wall of transformer
tank in order to detect the acoustic emission of partial
II. PD DETECTION METHODS discharges [5].
There are several difficulties are faced to detect the fault Acoustic signals from a PD source are immune from
and location of fault in power transformer winding. So to electromagnetic noise. An acoustic signal from mechanical
overcome these difficulties several techniques are used for vibration of PD can be detected by piezoelectric transducers,
detection and localization of partial discharge in power fiber optic acoustic sensors, accelerometers, condenser
transformer winding as shown in figure. microphones and sound-resonance sensors usual using
frequency band as between 10 kHz and 300 kHz. Acoustic
emission detection has been successfully used in order to
localize the PD source inside of the test object due to the fact
that acoustic signal is strongly dependent upon the geometry of
the test object. This method is very efficient for localizing PD
source because of its immunity against electromagnetic noise
[7].
The primary problem with acoustic detection is the
complex nature of the acoustic wave propagation. Because
power transformers are not homogeneous devices, the waves
do not travel in perfect spherical wave fronts because the
source of PD is so small, it can be seen as an acoustic point
source. Due to the nature of wave propagation, point sources
Figure1. Partial Discharge Detection Methods
lead to spherical wave fronts. Another difficulty with acoustic
detection is the required sensitivity. Classically, due to the
A. Electrical Detection Methods many attenuation mechanisms, received acoustic signals have
very low intensity and so sensors must be very responsive to
Electromagnetic measurement of PD consists of coupling
devices and data acquisition unit. The most suitable frequency small changes in signal amplitude in order to detect a PD [8].
bands for application regarding each power system are from C. UHF Detection Methods
30-300MHz and 300MHz-3GHz [7]. The pulse shape, its
relative phase location within the AC cycle of the power Ultra High Frequency (UHF) detection method is one of the
transformer, and the signal intensity all lead to information online PD detection in power transformer. Thus UHF PD
about the type of PD fault and the severity of the insulation detection has an advantage of strong anti-interference ability
damage. over traditional detection approaches [10]. Firstly, ultra-high
frequency (UHF) partial discharge detection was mostly
Electrical measurements are grouped into two categories, focused on gas insulation substation (GIS). In recent two
direct probing and RF emission testing. The direct probing decades, research fields about UHF partial discharge detection
method requires that capacitive couplers be connected to the have mainly included propagation characteristic of UHF
phase terminals of the transformer. The second group, RF electromagnetic wave in GIS [8], sensor design and
emission testing is conducted by using antennas in the area of optimization, UHF amplifier, default models in GIS and pattern
the transformer. These processing methods make online classification, signal processing and features extraction. UHF
electrical PD detection very attractive because it makes real- partial discharge detection applied in power transformer is been
time monitoring of power transformer. But electrical detection was rampantly investigated for the past few years [9].
has limitations. The primary limitation of electrical testing is its However, as a novel partial discharge detection method, the
susceptibility to noise. The power transformers environment ultra-high frequency partial discharge detection also can be
contain high levels of electrical noise, both narrowband and used in non-gas insulation electrical power apparatus such as
broadband. In some cases, it is extremely difficult to transformer, cables and so on.
distinguish between noise and a PD because of the short PD
pulse width. This problem leads to false detection in online D. Optical Detection Methods
electrical PD systems. The transformer can be taken offline and Optical emission from PD can be detected by optical
connected to an external power source for testing in order to sensors. Unlike electrical signals from PD, optical signals
eliminate some of the noise but taking the power transformer largely depend on different factors such as insulation material,
offline can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars a day in lost temperature, PD intensity and pressure. There are roughly two
revenue for the power company [8]. kind of optical PD detection techniques as a result of different
kind of ionization, excitation and recombination processes
during the discharge; direct detection of optical PD signal and
detect of change of an optical beam. Detection of optical signal
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includes surface detection and the detection inside of the test TABLE II. COMPARISON OF UHF DETECTION AND OPTICAL PD
DETECTION METHODS
object such as GIS and transformer. The optical sensors
transferring signal to the outside at photomultiplier, also can be
placed inside the test object which is efficient for a light-tight UHF Detection Optical
GIS impulse voltage test. This impulse voltage test is not
suitable for an electrical PD detection system. Another method Immunity
called opto-acoustic measurement catches sonic or ultrasonic Immunity against against
electrical noise electrical noise
range acoustic emission caused by PD which results in
deformation of the optical fiber. One recent paper [9] describes Very efficient for Easy to measure
optical PD detection on Over Head Transmission Line (OHTL) Advantages
localization of PD
using fiber optic sensors with Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), Provide critical
resulting in meaningful PD detection capability. The main Identification of PD information
advantages of this method are the immunity from source Go/No Go
electromagnetic interferences and high sensitivity compared to decision
conventional electrical techniques [7]. Relative expensive cost No information
about
Disadvantages
magnitude of
Complex design
III. COMPARISON OF THE PD DETECTION METHODS PD
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TABLE III. COMPARISON OF UHF DETECTION AND OPTICAL PD
DETECTION METHODS
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Based on the simulation result, it is found that the [6] Z. Wang, A measurements-based discharge location algorithm for plain
electromagnetic waves can easily penetrate the insulating disc winding power transformers, Dielectrics and Electrical, no.
December 2003, pp. 416422, 2005.
materials in the power transformer. Paper insulations are
[7] C. S. In, On-line PD (partial discharge) Monitoring of power system
commonly used in the power transformer because the dielectric components, Aalto University. Masters Degree, 2011.
strength only weakens after longer period of time compare to
[8] A. Lazarevich, Partial discharge detection and localization in high
the epoxy resin. Strength of the paper will only weaken after a voltage transformers using an optical acoustic sensor, Virginia
longer period of time which makes it to be the best insulating Polytechnic Institute and State University. Masters Degree, 2003.
material. Paper has a very high withstand stress which can be [9] Oliveira, S.C.; Fontana, E., Optical Detection of Partial Discharges on
used to reduce the maintenance cost of power transformer. Insulator Strings of High-Voltage Transmission Lines,
Instrumentation and Measurement, IEEE Transactions on Volume: 58,
Issue: 7, Page(s): 23282334, 2009.
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