Measurement and analysis of surface partial discharges at semi-square voltage waveforms

The fast switching in PWM drive applications exerts complex transient stresses on the cable and motors, creating conditions for different partial discharge form initiation. The mechanism of surface PD on dielectric materials (ethylene-propylene rubber and thermosetting insulation) under semi square voltage has been investigated. In the rod-plane electrode arrangement positive polarity PWM-like pulses with variable rise time (800 ns and longer), and frequency (0.1 Hz to 2 kHz) have been used. Experiments show correlation of PD inception voltage and its time range within a semi-square voltage period with slew rate of applied voltage and its switching frequency. Partial discharges appear not only at rising/falling slope of the voltage pulses but also during the voltage plateau, even when the rod electrode potential becomes zero. The main process taking place during surface PD action on insulating materials is the interaction of space charge near the rod electrode with the polarized dielectric. As a result it was revealed that in such conditions PD can occur within a whole period. This phenomenon is relevant to understand the destructive processes in insulating materials under PWM-like pulses action.