Detection of Partial Discharges at High Frequencies

This paper details a partial discharge measurement detection model that has been used to produce a test circuit suitable for detection of partial discharge at high frequencies. The circuit is designed to identify partial discharges in different insulating samples stressed by non-standard (including high frequency sine-waves and square waves). This is particularly important for the testing of equipment used in modern high voltage power electronic environments. The circuit was built and tested after carrying out simulations using the PSPICE software. The details of these simulations and the results collected are presented in this paper. The advantage of a balanced circuit measurement system is highlighted as well as the variance in predicted noise levels when different frequencies are used to energize the object under test. A comparison between the simulated circuit response and the experimental results is included