2021 International Electrical Engineering Congress (iEECON2021) (Full Manuscript)

March 10-12, 2021, Pattaya, THAILAND

Partial Discharge Investigation and Failure Analysis

on Distribution Network Using Acoustic Camera
Cattareeya Suwanasri, Worapoj Khetcharoen Shan Rungsivattagapong†, Nattawut Atiwet
Thanapong Suwanasri* and Nattapon Panmala and Papatsporn Poonpoch
King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok Victory Instrument Co. Ltd.
2021 9th International Electrical Engineering Congress (iEECON) | 978-1-7281-9584-1/20/$31.00 ©2021 IEEE | DOI: 10.1109/iEECON51072.2021.9440301

1518 Pracharat 1 Rd., Wongsawang, Bangsue, @Area Building, 5th floor, 5/15 Nonsi 5 Rd., Chongnonsi,
Bangkok, Thailand Yanava, Bangkok, Thailand
*[email protected] †[email protected]

Abstract— This paper presents practical partial camera’s screen. The maintenance strategies
discharge (PD) investigation by using mobile acoustic according to determined PD type are mentioned.
camera with HV and MV equipment in distribution
network. Four types of PD are observed including II. ACOUSTIC CAMERA FOR PD DETECTION
corona discharge at energized electrode with low and PD acoustic sensor is designed to cover various
high discharge intensity, arcing between live parts or
measurement conditions, where on-site/on-line PD
live part with other components as well as surface or
detection can be applied. In this paper, a commercial
internal discharge with their corresponding PD
patterns. The PD severity as low, medium and high PD acoustic detector named NL camera shown in Fig.
together with its percentage probability can be analyzed 1 is applied to detect PD. The mobile acoustic PD
by applying NL cloud system based AI application. detector equips with 124 low noise microphones,
Laboratory test was performed to confirm the video camera and AI application used to identify and
effectiveness of the PD camera. Practical experiences locate PD site [4].
with different MV equipment are presented i.e. HV and
MV conductor, distribution transformer, pin and post
insulator, lightning arrester, fuse, spacer, and etc. The
results illustrate that the PD acoustic camera could
effectively detect PD problems in power equipment. The
maintenance strategies according to each determined
PD type and measured equipment could be suggested
for efficient maintenance.
Fig. 1. PD detection using acoustic camera
Keywords— acoustic camera, partial discharge, PD
severity, NL cloud system, artificial intelligence The working principle of this PD acoustic detector
is based on receiving sound wave emitted from a
I. INTRODUCTION discharge source. The analyzing tool is called NL
PD diagnosis is one of the most successful cloud system based on AI application. The sensor can
techniques for condition monitoring and HV and MV be used in the frequency range of 2 kHz to 35 kHz as
asset assessment. Unconventional PD detection has shown in Fig. 2 to locate a PD source by using 124
been currently developed for onsite PD investigation low-noise microphones with real-time sound
using different sensing techniques i.e. UHF, HFCT, visualization to detect the emitted sound wave. It is
acoustic sensors [1]. PD detection using acoustic completely inaudible and detectable by human sense.
sensor is one of the most convenient tool to perform
on-site PD diagnostic test with MV/HV equipment,
such as overhead power line, cable termination, cable
joint, transformer, and others [2-3]. This paper aims to
practically investigate the capability of PD acoustic
detector named NL acoustic camera with different
MV equipment along distribution network such as
distribution transformer, MV conductor, pin and post
insulator, lightning arrester, fuse, spacer, and etc. The
Fig. 2. Optimal frequency for PD detection (20-30 kHz).
performance of PD acoustic diagnostic tool is
investigated. The acoustic camera applies a principle III. LABORATORY TESTS
of detecting high frequency sound wave and analyzing
by artificial intelligence or AI cloud system to help A. PD Testing Circuit
analyze the type of PD and the severity that occurs. In Fig. 3, the test circuit is indirect measurement
The PD results are expressed in with Phase-Resolved circuit. It obtains PD signal occurring in opposite
PD (PRPD) patterns. Then, PD type is identified while direction of synchronized voltage source (Um) while
PD location can be detected and shown on the Im is discharge current. The coupling device is an

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 2021 International Electrical Engineering Congress (iEECON2021) (Full Manuscript)
March 10-12, 2021, Pattaya, THAILAND

integral part of the test circuit and measuring system.

Its components are specifically designed to achieve
the optimal sensitivity with a specific test circuit. The
laboratory off-line PD detection using conventional
diagnostic tool is shown in Fig. 3. It consists of test
transformer 100 kV and conventional PD detection
using the IEC 60270 standard and ICMsystem for PD
analysis. The result from ICMsystem are compared
with the result from PD acoustic detector.

Fig. 6. Acoustic camera snapshot (left) and PD detected by

ICMsystem (right).
Fig. 3. Basic PD test circuit according to IEC 60270 standard.

Fig. 7. Acoustic camera snapshot of atificial defected cable

termination for discharge location.

Fig. 4. PD experimenal setup by ICMsystem. Therefore, the PD acoustic diagnostic technique is

accurate for diagnostic test for insulation degradation.
B. PD Testing Objects Due to limitations on on-site and on-line testing, the
To investigate the PD sensitivity detection of PD conventional PD is not effective detection tool by
acoustic detector, the standard test objects are used to several requirements. This PD acoustic detection
demonstrate as PD source, which consists of surface technology is developed to detect the defect on
discharge, positive corona discharge, negative corona insulation system. The comparative results in
discharge and artificial defected cable termination. laboratory show that capability of PD acoustic
The PD test objects as surface discharge, HV needle detector is successfully applied to detect the PD
corona discharge, earth needle corona discharge and source in term of PRPD pattern. This detection tool
atificial defected cable termination without stress allows the non-experience engineer to understand the
control are shown in Fig. 5. result quickly. The PD camera will further be applied to
detect PD in different types of MV equipment i.e.
conductor, distribution transformer, pin and post
insulator, lightning arrester, fuse, spacer, and etc.
IV. PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE FOR PD DETECTION
WITH DISTRIBUTION NETWORK
MV equipment in distribution system were
practically investigated. PD severity and possibility
were also analyzed by AI system. By patrol
investigation, a total of 1533 tower spans were
investigated within 3 days monitoring period. Failures
Fig. 5. PD test objects. were found in 81 spans as presented in Figs.8-20.
C. Experimental Results In Fig. 8, a surface discharge was found with
100% probability at the point where a partial insulated
Supply voltage from 100 kV test transformer was conductor in a MV feeder was touched by a branch of
raised until the PD was detectable. The acquisition a tree causing high impedance discharge to ground.
period of NL camera was 100 ms while the Cutting that branch of a tree is urgently executed to
ICMsystem was 10 seconds for any test object. The solve this problem.
PD acoustic detector illustrated the snapshot for 100
ms resulting in data interposed for 20 ms period due to
power frequency synchronization. The ICMsystem
was synchronized to the voltage source by low-part
filter. Then, the apparent charge was plotted in dot
patterns. The gray to red color represents repetition
times of PD. The results from ICMsystem and NL
cloud system are compared and show the same PD Fig. 8. Surface PD between conductor and touching branch of a tree.
patterns as shown in Figs. 6-7.

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 2021 International Electrical Engineering Congress (iEECON2021) (Full Manuscript)
March 10-12, 2021, Pattaya, THAILAND

In Fig. 9, a low intensity corona discharge was loosen contact at clamp. Since the discharge intensity
found with 100% probability at a recloser in a MV was high, a planned schedule maintenance to tighten
feeder due to loosen contact at it terminal. Since the the loosen clamp should be conducted as soon as
discharge intensity was still low, a planned schedule possible.
maintenance to tighten the loosen bolt and nut at
recloser’s terminal is recommended.

Fig. 13. High intensity corona discharge at conductor preformed

armour rods of 115 kV overhead line.
Fig. 9. Low intensity corona discharge at recloser’s terminal.
In Fig.14, a high intensity corona discharge as
In Fig. 10, a low intensity corona negative corona positive was found with 60% probability at a
discharge was found with 100% probability at a 115 conductor preformed armour rods of a 115 kV
kV suspension insulator stringing in a substation due overhead line insulator due to loosen contact at clamp.
to loosen contact at its cap and pin connection. Since Since the discharge intensity was moderate, a planned
the discharge intensity was still low, a planned schedule maintenance to tighten the loosen clamp was
schedule maintenance to tighten the connection recommended.
between suspension insulator in each insulator string
was recommended.

Fig. 14. Moderate intensity corona discharge at 115 kV conductor

preformed armour rods.
Fig. 10. Low intensity corona discharge at the connection of 115 kV In Fig.14, a surface discharge was found with
suspension insulator. 100% probability at a 24 kV surge arrester closing to
In Fig.11, a surface discharge was found with drop-out fuse due to contamination on the arrester’s
100% probability at a pin post insulator supporting the surface. Since the surface discharge was found with
conductor to bushing terminal of a 24 kV/400 V moderate severity, urgent planned schedule
distribution transformer due to contamination on the maintenance to clean the arrester’s surface was
insulator’s surface. Since the surface discharge was recommended.
found with moderate severity, urgent planned
schedule maintenance to clean the insulator’s surface
was recommended.

Fig. 15. Surface discharg at 24 kV surge arrester.

In Fig. 14, a high intensity corona positive

Fig. 11. Surface discharge at pin post insulator supporting conductor discharge was found with 60% probability at the
to transformer. conductor clamp of a 24 kV leading conductor to fuse
due to loosen contact at clamp. Since the discharge
In Fig. 12, a low intensity corona negative intensity was moderate, a planned schedule maintenance
discharge was found with 100% probability at a 24 kV to tighten the loosen clamp was recommended.
surge arrester protecting a 24 kV/400 V transformer
due to loosen contact at arrester’s terminal. Since the
discharge intensity was still low, a planned schedule
maintenance to tighten the loosen bolt and nut at
arrester’s terminal was recommended.

Fig. 16. Moderate intensity corona discharge at conductor clamp of

24 kV overhead line.

In Fig.17, a high intensity corona discharge as

corona positive was found with 100% probability at a
Fig. 12. Low intenity corona discharge at 24 kV surge arrester. preformed armour rods and conductor clamp on top of
a 24 kV insulator in a feeder due to loosen contact at
In Fig. 13, a high intensity corona positive clamp. Since the discharge intensity was high, a
discharge was found with 100% probability at a 115 planned schedule maintenance to tighten the loosen
kV overhead conductor preformed armour rods due to clamp should be conducted as soon as possible.

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 2021 International Electrical Engineering Congress (iEECON2021) (Full Manuscript)
March 10-12, 2021, Pattaya, THAILAND

detect problems of power equipment and make it

possible to classify PD type and its severity with
minimum experience of engineers or technician in
using acoustic camera. Practical experiences by
measurement with different power equipment were
presented. The severity and probability of PD were
Fig. 17. High intensity corona discharge at conductor clamp of also analyzed based AI analysis as build-in function of
24 kV overhead line.
acoustic camera. The maintenance plan according to
In Fig.18, a surface discharge was found with each PD type and equipment were suggested for
100% probability at a one point of a partial insulated problem correction and effective maintenance.
conductor due to partial insulated conductor touching
tension wire. Since the surface discharge was found TABLE I. DISTRIBUTION NETWORK DATA AND PD TYPES
with moderate severity, urgent planned schedule Types of PD
maintenance to clean the insulator’s surface was No. of Distance corona corona discharge surface/
Area

Total
recommended. spans (km) negative positive between internal
discharge discharge components discharge
1 233 3.5 0 2 0 3 7
2 300 4.5 0 2 3 3 8
3 100 1.5 0 1 0 4 5
4 83 2.5 2 2 0 2 6
5 200 6.0 0 3 0 0 3
6 100 3.0 0 3 0 8 11
Fig. 18. Surface discharge at partial insulated conductor touching 7 67 2.0 0 1 1 7 9
tension wire. 8 83 2.5 0 1 0 0 1
9 117 3.5 0 2 0 3 5
In Fig. 19, a high intensity corona positive 10 117 3.5 2 2 0 18 22
discharge was found with 90% probability at a spacer 11 83 2.5 2 1 1 0 4
of a 24 kV feeder due to loosen contact at spacer 12 50 1.5 0 0 0 2 2
terminal. Since the discharge intensity was high, a Total 1533 36.5 6 20 5 50 81
planned schedule maintenance to tighten the loosen Percentage of failure = 5.28%
contact should be conducted as soon as possible.
TABLE II. PD TYPES VERSUS MV EQUIPEMNT.
PD Types Failure Components Failure Causes
corona negative lightning arrester, lossen fitting, lossen
discharge conductor, drop out contact at equipment’s
12 cases fuse, conductor to terminal, pollution
insulator, spacer
corona positive conductor, pin aged/degraded equipment,
Fig. 19. High intensity corona positive at 24 kV spacer. discharge insulator, suspension pollution
20 cases insulator, spacer
In Fig. 20, a high intensity arcing was found at discharge between conductor to pin arcing between conductor
touching point of 24 kV conductor, insulator, components insulator, and components, damaged
preformed armour rods and clamp with 100% 5 cases conductor to /degraded insulation, aged
probability. Because discharge intensity was high and suspension insulator equipment, , pollution
hot spot may occur, a planned schedule maintenance surface/internal conductor, spacer, PD between conductor and
discharge lightning arrester other components & tree,
to check at the contact is requested. 50 cases damaged insulation, aged
equipment, pollution

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