A Commentary on Partial Discharge Measurement and Detection

A critical review is presented on the various electrical methods available for partial discharge detection and measurement in terms of their chronological development and application on cable, capacitor, transformer, and machine insulation specimens. A substantial portion of the effort is devoted to corona pulse detection techniques, because these constitute the most popular forms of corona measurement. It is pointed out, however, that under some conditions discharges may assume a pulseless or pseudo-glow type character and that in such circumstances pulse detection procedures become ineffective and must be replaced by appropriate bridge methods.