A non-iterative partial discharge source location method for transformers employing acoustic emission techniques

Partial discharge (PD) causes premature insulation failure of transformers. It is essential to detect PD to avoid unwanted failure of transformers. Only detection of PD is not sufficient for a transformer of huge size, unless it is possible to locate. Acoustic partial discharge measurement is advantageous for PD source location. There are different algorithms for PD source location. These are iterative and require large number of acoustic emission (AE) sensors. This paper presents a non-iterative source location algorithm employing four AE sensors. This algorithm is applied to experimental data. Proposed algorithm is also applied to published data and compared with existing iterative methods. Main error for source location is due to arrival time calculation. In order to reduce the error in AE signal arrival time calculation, different arrival time calculation methods are discussed and a comprehensive method is proposed. By applying these methods, arrival time is calculated from measured signal.