UHF and current pulse measurements of partial discharge activity in mineral oil

Investigations are reported into a range of defects causing partial discharge (PD) activity in high-voltage oil-insulated equipment. The aim is to explore the relationship between radiated ultra-high frequency (UHF) signals and electric charge in a PD current pulse for PD sources in oil insulation. Experiments are performed under high-voltage AC conditions using electrode configurations that included a sharp protrusion, a bad contact, and a free metallic particle. A broadband current transformer is used to measure the PD current pulses with the UHF signals being detected using a pair of sensors mounted inside a metal tank surrounding the PD sources. Current pulses and UHF signals were recorded simultaneously using an oscilloscope with a bandwidth of 3 GHz. The level of correlation between the energy of the radiated UHF signals and the charge content of PD pulses is shown to vary depending on the defect type. Polarity-dependent UHF spectral content and ratio of UHF signal energies measured at the two sensors are shown to exhibit characteristics dependent on the discharge behaviour. These results and the analysis procedures introduced will contribute to the development of effective UHF monitoring systems for oil-insulated high-voltage plant.