Paper

Sensitivity Calibration of UHF Partial Discharge

Monitoring System in GIS

Member Tatsuro Kato (Hitachi, Ltd.)

Member Fumihiro Endo (Hitachi, Ltd.)
Member Shingo Hironaka (Hitachi Engineering & Service Co., Ltd)

Partial discharge (PD) monitoring system by UHF (Ultra high frequency) method has high sensitivity and high S/N ratio.
This UHF PD monitoring system is suitable for PD diagnosis of GIS. Calibration technique of highly sensitive UHF sensor was
clarified by injecting the artificial PD pulses. PD sensitivity of each sensor was verified and calibrated results were fully
satisfactory. PDs were simultaneously measured with both the conventional method described in IEC-60270 and the UHF PD
monitoring system by using many kinds of PD sources and various tank sizes. Owing to this measurement, conversion of dBm
units in UHF PD monitoring system to pC units (apparent charge) became possible and it was clarified that the conversion
curve was independent of PD sources and tank size. These characteristics were confirmed by the theoretical analysis.

Keywords : partial discharge, insulation diagnosis, UHF method, calibration, SF6gas, GIS

Minute PD can be detected with this UHF sensor. Figure 1 shows

1. Introduction
examplesmeasured in coaxial electrodes of 60/250mm diameter.
Higher reliability is demanded with gas insulated apparatuses 3-mm long particle could be detected with sufficient intensityand
such as gas insulated switchgear (GIS) and gas insulated circuit S/N ratio even in the case where a particle was attached on a
breaker (GCB). Since gas insulated apparatuses are closed spacer. Sensitivityof the new UHF sensor was confirmedto be
structure, it is difficult to find internal defects from outside. 0.3 pC (apparentcharge)at S/N = 3 and 0.1 pC at S/N = 1 (Fig.2).
Therefore, development of a preventive maintenance technique is The dBm value was measured by spectrum analyzer. Signal
necessary for GIS to prevent failures and to detect defects early. Intensity dBm define the maximum amplitudeof frequencyregion
Detection of PD is effective for these purposes (t)-la) PD signals in from 500 MHz to 1500MHz. Noise level define the magnitudeof
SF6, especially, have a frequency component of high and wide back ground noise which consist of white noise of measuring
bandwidth (UHF region), which is more than a few hundred MHz apparatusesor externalnoise.
(5)-(8)
. We have developed the UHF method diagnostic system
which uses the neural network to improve the reliability of GIS (9).
UHF partial discharge monitoring system (UHF PDM) has
become popular for PD diagnosis of GIS in recent years, and has (a) Protrusions
been regulated as one of the PD measuring methods in IEC-60270,
Many experiences were reported to clarify its performance (10,11)
For accurate diagnosis, extremely high sensitivity of sensors and
proper algorithms for PD assessment are necessary. Moreover, PD
is measured in dBm units by UHF PDM, which is quite different
from the conventional pC unit (apparent charge). The conversion
between dBm and pC is demanded to help understanding of PD (b) Free particles
severity.
The present paper describes the sensitivity and calibration of
UHF internal and external sensors. UHF PDM is experimentally
compared with a conventional PD measuring system described in
I EC 60270 and the obtained pC - dBm relationship is theoretically
discussed.

2. Highly Sensitive UHF Sensor (c) Particles on spacer

High sensitivity UHF sensor is required to measure PD in detail

by the UHF method. The UHF sensor used for this measurement
is explained below.
2.1 Internal UHF Sensor The new internal UHF
sensor consists of two half-disc plates (9). Their size and (particle: dia.=0.25mm, length=3mm, Inner dia. of
arrangement were optimized based on dipole antenna technology. tank=250mm, Outer dia. of cond.=60mm)
Sensitivity was greatly enhanced and directivity was negligible. Fig. 1. Frequency spectra of PDs in 3 cases

1226 T .IEE Japan, Vol.122-B, No.11, 2002

 Sensitivity Calibration of UHF PDM System

Fig. 2. Sensitivity of developed UHF sensor

(a) Measuring circuit and waveform of artificial PD pulse

The pC value was measured at the same time with a conventional

methodaccordingto IEC-60270.
2.2 External UHF Sensor The external UHF sensor
was designedto be fitted around the outer surface of a spacer. As
part of UHF waves emitted from PDs leak throughthe outer edge
of a spacer and its intensity is usually small, the structure of the
sensorwas designed based on the antenna theory to obtain high
sensitivity.The developedsensor has the sensitivityof 2 pC at S/N
=3 (Fig. 2). (b) Spectrum of artificial PD pulse (c) Spectrumof artificialPD pulse
from internal sensor from externalsensor
3. Sensitivity Verification
The artificial PD pulse for sensitivity calibration of the UHF
sensorwas describedin the document CIGRE TF 15/33.03.05(11).
Testswere performed with a bus model of 100/400mm diameter
(figure3 (a)). The response characteristics of UHF sensors were
measuredby injecting the artificialPD pulse (the rise time: 0.5 ns,
thetime to half-value: 30 ns) from one UHF sensor and the value
of the UHF signal was measured at the other sensor. The pulse (d) Spectrum of white noise signal (e) Spectrum of PD from 5mm
magnitudewas equivalent to an apparentcharge of 5 pC. Fig. 3 (b) from internal sensor logn free particle
and (c) show the typical spectra measured with the internal and
Fig. 3. Frequency spectra for artificial pulses and PD
externalsensors.PDs were generated at the vicinity of the sensor
by using a 5-nun long particle, and the measured spectrum is
shownin Fig. 3 (e). Equivalent spectra were obtainedfrom 500 to
1500MHz Table 1. Calibration results for UHF sensor
Next, instead of the artificial PD pulse, a white noise
(equivalentto an apparent charge of 5 pC) was injected from the
tracking generator and the signal was measured. The near
spectrumpattern was obtained (Fig. 3 (d)). This means that the
whitenoise methodis applicablefor sensitivityverification.
Input signal: artificial PD equivalent to 5pC
Sensitivity evaluation of each UHF sensor of extra
high-voltagesGIS was performedusing artificial pulses and white
noisesignalsas outlined in Fig. 3 and show the maximumof each
UHFsensorin Table 1. The variationin output value of a sensoris
4. Relationship between pC and dBm
less than several dB, with all sensors being found normal after
checking. PDs are usually measured using a conventional instrument
Moreover,the propagationcharacteristicsof the electromagnetic based on IEC-60270, and estimated by the amplitude of PD charge
waves between sensors were investigated. Since attenuation (pC). Since measurements are made for a low frequency band of
characteristicsof GIS components is known, the total amount of several 100 kHz - several MHz in the case of the conventional
attenuationcan be calculated between sensors. We checked that method, we must prevent the penetration of noise from the power
the measuredand calculated values of the amount of attenuation supply and external side. Although it is possible to do this for
betweensensors were in agreement. As it turned out, the same examinations in a fully shielded laboratory, it is difficult in actual
resultswere obtained and both can use artificial PD pulses and substations. However, the UHF method, which has excellent
whitenoise signals for calibration of UHF sensors built in GIS. sensitivity and S/N ratio, now serves as the global standard.

電 学 論B, 122巻11号,平 成14年 1227

 4.1 Experimental method Figure 4 shows the

measuring circuit for pC - dBm conversion of PD magnitude.

Various PD sources were placed in the coaxial cylinder electrodes

of 60/250 mm diameter. Both the discharge detector by

conventional instrument based on IEC-60270 and the UHF PDM

system were connected to the calibration circuit. PD sources

included protrusion, free metallic particle, particle on spacer, void

in spacer, etc. PD signals were measured simultaneously by both

measuring systems.

Moreover, we also investigated the tank diameter dependability

of pC - dBm conversion with tank diameters in the range of 250-

850mm.

4.2 Experimental Results PDs were generated using

typical PD sources in SF6 insulation. PDs were measured

1: HV. Coupling Capacitor 6: Pre-Amplifier simultaneously by both detectors. Figure 5 shows examples of

2: Input Unit 7: Spectrum Analyzer measured results for free metallic particles. Figure 5 (a) and (b)

3: SF6 Test Chamber for PD 8: UHF PDM System show frequency spectrum and phase spectrum measured by UHF

4: PD Source 9: Discharge Detector PDM system, and (c) and (d) show phase characteristics, and ƒÓ-q

5: UHF Sensor characteristics measured by the conventional system. Comparing

(b) and (d), it can be observed that the phase characteristics are

Fig. 4. Measuring circuit almost identical. In this case, the magnitude, q, of the PD pulse

was 17.7 pC by the conventional method, and -27.6 dBm by the

UHF PDM system.

Figure 6 shows examples of frequency and phase spectra for

various defects. Here, we can observe which applied voltage phase

PD generated the phase spectrum. In fact, results showed that the

(a) Frequency spectrum

(b) Phase spectrum

(Measuring frequency
655MHz)
(a) Protrusion (3mm): applied voltage 67kV, q=0.6 pC

(c) Phase Characteristics by

conventional method

(b) Particle on spacer(3mm):applied voltage 150 kV, q =0.5 pC

(d)ƒÓ-q characteristics

(Charge magnitude

17.7pC)

(c) Void in spacer (0.5mm):applied voltage 150 kV, q = 1.8 pC

Fig. 5. Typical PD characteristics in free particle case Fig. 6. Frequency and phase spectra for various defects

1228 T.IEEJapan,Vol.122-B,
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 Sensitivity Calibration of UHF PDM System

PD pattern was different for each defect. Since the output in the 4.3 Theoretical Analysis of dBm-pC Conversion PDs
UHF methodis measured in dB units, in order to judge the risk of are generated in a minute space where electric field exceeds the
defects,we must convert these units pC units currentlyused from discharge initiation field strength, and the real charge of PDs is
the former.Figure 6 shows (a) -49 dBm at q = 0.6 pC, (b) -50 determined by the capacitance of this minute space. However, the
dBm at q = 0.5 pC, (c) -48 dBm at q = 1.8 pC. Thus, dBm values magnitude of real charge cannot be measured. Therefore, apparent
were calibratedas pC values for various defects.Figure 7 plots the charge q, which moves due to the capacitance between high
magnitudeq (pC) of PD charges by the conventionalmethod and voltage electrode and grounding electrode, is measured. Since the
the maximum intensity (dBm) of 400 - 1500 MHz by the UHF minute space is small sufficiently compared with the space
method.In Fig. 7, a remarkable differencefor various defects was between electrodes, q is inversely proportional to the tank
not observed. Even for different kinds of defect, measured data diameter b (12). Apparent charge, q,is expressed by the following
convergeswell to a single curve. This curve can be expressed by equation.
equation(1).
q∞1/b･･･････････････････････････････････(2)

q=10(x+50)/20･･･････････････････････････････(1)
As the tank diameter increase, the apparent charge decreases, even
That is, pC is easily converted from the measured dBm value from if the real charge remains constant.
equation (1).
Figure 8 shows pC - dBm characteristics of various tank sizes. It
is clear that even if the tank size changes, the relationship between
pC and dB converges well to a single curve. No dependency on
tank size is observed. The relationship between pC and dBm can
be expressed in equation (1).

(a) Direction of diameter

Fig. 7, pC - dBm characteristics for various defects

(b) Direction of rotation

Fig. 8. pC - dBm characteristics for different tank size Fig. 9. Electromagnetic distribution in tank

電 学 論B. 122巻11号,平 成14年 1229

 mode, evaluation is performed in the TEII mode. Figure 9 shows

the electromagnetic distribution Er in the GIS tank. In this figure,

(a) Dia.=250mm the horizontal axis shows frequency and the vertical axis shows

electrical field distribution in the radial and the rotational direction.

The electric field is stronger near the conductor than on the tank.

As the sensor is usually fitted at the tank wall position, Er and EB

are obtained at r = b in eq. (3). Er is inversely proportional to b

and EĮ is independent of b.

Figure 10 shows measured frequency spectra for different tank

sizes. Even for the same PD, when tank sizes differ the signal

output changes. Figure 11 shows calculated values from the

electromagnetic wave analysis by equation (3), the calculated

values of apparent charge by equation (2), and measured results.

(b) Dia.=850mm The vertical axis was expressed as dB value for comparison. It is

clear that these three lines coincide well with each other. That is,

even if the size of real charge is the same, when tank size

increases, the apparent charge decreases and the signal output

becomes smaller at the same rate. This means that one universal

curve is applicable even when different tank sizes are used, as

shown in figure 7.

5. Conclusions
Fig. 10. Intensity from same PD for different tank size
UHF PDM system has advantages of high sensitivity and high

S/N ratio. Firstly, we clarified the calibration method of the UHF

sensor. By injecting the artificial PD pulses of rise time of 0.5 ns,

it was confirmed that the same characteristics as actual PDs are

acquired. Next, conversion of dBm to pC was investigated

experimentally and theoretically to help understanding of severity

of PDs. It was clarified that relationship between dBm and pC is

independent of different PD sources and tank size, and can be

expressed in the universal curve.

(Manuscript received August 27, 2001, revised April 24, 2002)

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1230 T.IEEJapan,Vol.122-B,
No.11,2002
 Sensitivity Calibration of UHF PDM System

(9) T.Kato,and F.Endo :"Development of UHF InsulationDiagnosis Systemof Tatsuro Kato (Member) was born on 11 March, 1969. He
GIS", T.IEEJapan, 119-B,No.4, pp.458-463(1999-4) received B.S. and Dr. degrees in electrical
(10) N.Kock, B.Coric, and RPietsch : "UHF PD Detection in Gas-Insulated engineeringfrom NagoyaUniversity,Japan,in
Switchgear-Suitability and Sensitivityof the UHF Method in Comparison 1992 and 1996.He joined Hitachi,Ltd., Japan,
with the IEC 270 Method", IEEE Electrical InsulationMagazine, 12, No.6, in 1996. He has engaged in research of
pp.20-25(1996) diagnostic system of power apparatus. Now,
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Ellipsoidal and Spheroidal Void", IEEE. Trans. EI, 24, No.2, pp.335-342 November, 1945. He received B.S. and Dr.
(1989) degrees from Osaka University in 1968 and
(13) H.Muto, M.Doi, H.Fujii, and M.Kamei : "Resonance Characteristicsand 1989, respectively. He joined Hitachi Research
Identification of Modes Electromagnetic Waves Exited by Partial Laboratory, Hitachi, Ltd., Japan, in 1968, and
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Partial Discharge in GIS", IEEE 7Fans. Dielectrics & Electrical Insulation, December 17, 1949. He received the B.S
3, No.2, pp213-228 (1996) degree from Kyusyu Institute of Technology in
1973. He joined Hitachi, Ltd., Kokubu Works,
Japan, from 1973 to 1998, and joined Hitachi
Engineering & Services., Ltd., Japan from
1998. He has been engaged in the
commissioning of Metal-Enclosed Switchgear
and diagnosis of substation equipments.

電 学 論B, 122巻11号,平 成14年 1231