A versatile solution for continuous on-line PD monitoring

Smart Grid concept substantially increases the power measurement need in the future for efficient and guaranteed power delivery. The medium voltage (MV) cable is an important asset of a distribution network and it must guarantee a stable operation of the supply. With the increasing age of the underground MV cables in power grids, the accident and failure arising from insulation degradation is becoming one of the main challenges against power system reliability. It is also essential economically to extend the life span of the medium voltage cable. Continuous on-line partial discharge (PD) monitoring is an excellent way to determine the overall health of the MV components and to detect incipient faults in underground cables. However, continuous on-line PD monitoring is not widely used primarily because no adequate cost-effective solution is available for permanent installation. This paper presents the development of a versatile solution for continuous on-line PD monitoring of MV cables at secondary substation. The laboratory tests and data analysis exhibit the capability of the proposed system to detect PD signals successfully.