On-board permanent PD monitoring for propulsion, distribution and generation systems in marine applications

An innovative approach to asset management in marine applications is described in this paper, based on Partial Discharge (PD) permanent monitoring. It is the first time in literature that a centralized permanent PD monitoring system is presented for such applications, i.e. for propulsion, distribution and generation. Moreover, the innovative PD monitoring system is able to detect and recognize PD activities in assets fed by different voltage supply (PWM, AC sine, cyclo-converters). The on-line PD detection method takes advantages from modern high-tech solutions to allow noise rejection and PD sources separation in order to pinpoint any defect into the insulation system and carry out proper maintenance. The target of this approach is prevention of electrical failures which can cause the unexpected stop of the vessel and, as a consequence, considerable economical losses.