Coupling Devices for the Detection of Partial Discharges in Gas-Insulated Switchgear

Partial discharge in gas-insulated 8witchgear is indicative of serious malfunction and, otten, imminent failure. Partial discharge magnitudes range from zero to about a microcoulomb per pulse. Sources of partial discharge can be detected acoustically, electromagnetically or through gas analysis. This paper describes electromagnetic discharge pulse characteristics, design procedures for devices suitable to couple electromagnetic pulses from the switchgear, and prospects for using these coupling devices for detection and location of discharge sources.