Research into the acoustic detection and location of partial discharges in gas insulated substations

Summary form only given. Test cells constructed to reproduce certain of the major types of partial discharges in GIS, i.e. free moving conducting particles, protrusions, and electrically `floating´ objects, were used as partial discharge sources. These were mounted in a full-scale 400 kV GIS busbar chamber for experimental work which involved the use of different types of partial discharge test cell, gases, gas pressures, and voltages. Results from these tests, indicate some of the information that can be obtained. It is concluded that acoustic techniques can be used effectively to pinpoint the location of partial discharges produced by loose conducting particles. For other sources of partial discharge, sharp protrusions, etc., the technique is less effective. Even so, with further improvement in techniques and equipment, there are good prospects for accurate location of such sources. In particular, emphasis on research into better data processing could yield significant advances