2004 lntematlonal Conferenca on

Power System Technology POWERCON 2004

Singapore, 21-24 November 2004

EXPERIENCE OF TESTING POLYMERIC

HV CABLE SYSTEMS BY AN
INNOVATIVE PARTIAL DISCHARGE
MEASUREMENT APPROACH
A. Cavallini, Member, IEEE, G. C. Montanari, Fellow, IEEE, F. Puletti, S. Franchi Bononi, F.
Ombrello, 1.Butt
PD which assists in the management of condition based
Abstract-- An innovative system has recently been proposed for
partial discharge (PD) measurements which can acquire a
significant amount of PD pulses and then process the information
not only with respect to puke amplitude and phase of m r r e n c e
but also with respect to pulse frequency and time spectra. The
two striking features of this system are i) the possibility ta
separate pulses coming from different PD source typologies
(efficiently rejecting noise), building up patterns relevant to each
pulse source; and ii) the use of artificial intelligence techniques,
based on robust statistical quantities and fuzzy logic algorithms,
which can provide an enhanced tool for PD phenomena
identification and risk assessment. The results obtained when
applying thii innovative system to site tests on HV polymeric
cable system m: presented and discussed in this paper,
emphasizing the enhanced capability of the proposed
measurement approach to detect and identify PD sources.
Index Terms- P d a l discharges, insulation syslem, electrical
apparatus, quality controi.

I. INTRODUCTION

isk assessment in electrical system often relies on the

results of partial discharge measurements. Defects of
insulation systems, due to the manufacturing process or
localised degradation under service stresses, can cause
inception of PD that can be measured through appropriate
sensors and detectors. PD, in turn, can be a further cause of
accelerated degradation of organic insulation.
Digital
detectors that record the peak amplitude and the phase of
occurrence of PD pulses are now widely diffused whilst the
identification of defect(s) causing PD is generally still carried
out by experts, even though significant work has been recently
published on the use of artificial intelligence techniques for
automatic PD inference.
Identification of defects causing PD is a useful indicator for
risk assessment, since only the correct attribution of PD pulses
to their source(s) can allow evaluation of the harmfulness of
A. Cavallini and G. C. Montanari are with the Univmity of Bologna,
Bologna, Italy (e-nuil: GiancarIo.Mon~anari@
mail.ing.unibo.it).
F. Puletti is with Techlmp Srl, Bologna, Italy (email:
molivieri@techimp.com).
S. Franchi Bonord, F. Oinbrello and I. Burt are with F'irelli Cables &
Systems Energy

0-7803-8610-8/D4J$20.00 0 2004 IEEE

maintenance (CBM) procedures. Therefore measurement

systems that provide enhanced tools for PD identification can
constitute a significant step forward to optimize CBM
procedures by increasing efficiency and reducing cost. [1]-[3].
This paper shows the application of an innovative PD
detection approach for measurements undertaken on HV
polymeric cables. The results of PD measurements performed
on two cable systems, rated at 230 kV and 400 kV, are
presented, focussing on defect identification in joints during
testing on site and the subsequent forensic validation.

U. THE MEASUREMENT APPROACH

The advanced inference tool for the diagnosis of HV
polymeric cable systems (i.e. cables, joints and terminations)
based on PD measurements, consists of acquisition and
processing units, both based on innovative criteria [4]-[6]. The
acquisition unit, thanks to its large bandwidth and memory, is
capable of acquiring the entire pulse shape of a large number
of PD signals, allowing a significant amount of information on
PD pulses (including the usual peak amplitude and occurrence
phase) to be achieved: see the scheme in Fig. 1.
The processing unit used for data analysis is able, in the
Fist stage, to provide separation of PD phenomena from noise,
as well as PD generated by different source typologies. The
second stage is identification of the PD source typology [ 5 ] ,
171, which is fundamental for risk assessment and CBM
procedure design.
Separation of PD pulses coming from different sources and
of PD pulses from noise is based on a clustering technique that
relies upon a Fuzzy Classification (FC) method. Features
consisting of equivalent time length, T, and equivalent
bandwidth, W,[9], are extracted from each recorded pulse and
plotted in the so-called T-W plane, where pulses coming from
PD or noise, as well as pulses belonging to different PD source
typologies form clusters - collecting points that represent
pulses having a common origin. The FC is applied to this
mapping tool achieving classes of signals homogeneous in
Eventually, typical
tenns of PD pulse features [SI.
representations, such as PD height-phase patterns, can be built
up for homogeneous classes: see Fig. 2.

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erk

Insulation

fiber optic

Fig. 3. Connection scheme of "link box test configuration". In rhis example

the red phase is under test in the central link box (the three phases ace
indicated by R, Y and B). Two ' 3 s are indicated, one used for PD
measurement tool synchronisation (Syncro), the other for PD detection (PD).

H g 1. Schemanc of the detectlon device.

4

defects generating PD with reference to specific apparatus; for

example an internal discharge in motor bar insulation can be
due to distributed microvoids, internal delamination, or
conductor delamination) [8].

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In. SlTE MEASUREMENTS

"T

This section presents and discusses the results of site tests

performed on two cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) cable
systems, rated at 230 kV and 400 kV, with moulded ethylenepropylene rubber (EPR) joints, using the innovative PD
measurement approach and instrumentation described above.
Fig. 2. PD data processing: example of two superimposed phenomena
consisting of PD source and noise. Feature extraction and stpantion (T-W
map), pulse classification, identification.

3.I Testing procedures

The cable systems, i.e. cable together with accessories

(sectionalized cable joints and terminations), were tested one
Identification is based on fuzzy logic algorithms, [lo],
phase at a time using an HVAC resonant test set at 1.1 Uo
applied to statistical markers extracted from the distribution of
(phase to ground voltage) by means of a sequential procedure,
pulse quantities (e.g., height, phase and repetition rate) of each
i.e. energizing each phase cable n times (where n is the total
separated class. In such a way, identification becomes highly
number of accessories) and then carrying out PD
effective, being applied to homogeneous datasets. Noise can
measurements over one period of time at each accessory.
be recognised through statistical algorithms (for example
Different measurement configurations were used at cable
based on correlation techniques) and is then removed. Real
joints and at cable terminations. A schematic of the
PD pulses can be identified using a multi-level procedure [ 101.
measurement configuration for cable joints is shown in Fig. 3.
The first level provides a classification based on three basic
This configuration allows part of the cable to he sectionalized
categories, Internal, Surface and Corona. According to the
with respect to the rest of the cable. In this way a typical
fuzzy nature of the inference system, a given pattern may
direct detection circuit is devised, where the object under test
belong to all three categories, although with different degrees
is the sectionalised part of the cable and the rest of the cable
of likelihood, ranging from 0 to 100%. Two further
acts as a coupling capacitor. The equipment being tested in
categories, Noise and Invalid Data, have been devised as well,
the measurement configuration at a cable joint includes the
to provide a basis for filtering out noise and also to take into
phase joint directly connected to the link box, the two phase
account that some acquired datasets may be inconsistent or not
cables forming this joint and the sectionalised halves of the
related to partial discharges, [8]. At the second level, location
two immediate remote joints. Suitable filters were used in
and geometrical information on internal defects i s provided,
order to improve the signakoise ratio. PD were measured
such as void shape and distance from HV and LV conductors.
through a high-Frequency current transformer, installed around
In addition, a dedicated procedure singles out, by the use of a
the ground connection at the link-box. A synchronization
fuzzy tool, the likelihood that internal PD are caused by the
current transformer was installed close to the high-frequency
presence of an electrical tree (tree alert) [SI. Finally, the third
current transformer.
level provides more detailed information on the nature of

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Fig. 4. Entire PD pattern acqulsiuon relevant to measurements camed aut on

joint No.6,230 kV cable system

Fig. 6. Sub-pattem relevant to PD phenomenon D (Fig. 5) occurring in the

defective joint (a) and example of the relevant pulse waveform (b).
PD fdcntMcatbn tool TECkM?

Fig. 5. Classification map ( T W ) relevant to phenomena detected during onfield measurements on the defective joint Fig. 4). A HF background noise
(uncorrelated), B and C: noise due to the resonant test set electronics
(correlated) and IO discharges occurring in the HV connections. D: PD
originatedinside the defective joint.

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3.2 PD measurement resultsjor the 230 kVcable

PD measurements at each joint provided complex patterns,

typically showing two different kinds of noise (correlated and
uncorrelated) and PD deriving from both the HV generator and
the test bushings. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, noise and PD
induced by the WV generator can be separated in the T-W map,
having different equivalent time and frequency. On the whole,
the cable system proved to be PD free, within the instruments
sensitivity, with the exception of PD activity that was detected
below the noise level at a specific joint bay location (joint #6).
Figure 4 provides the whole PD pattern detected at joint #6,
while Fig. 5 shows the classification (T-W) map relevant to
phenomena detected during site measurements made at the
defective joint. Cluster D collects PD pulses having a large
equivalent bandwidth (thus likely located close to the
measurement point), which were attributed to a defect inside of
the joint. Cluster A is relevant to HF background noise due to
distribution and transmission cables installed in close
proximity to the cable system under test, while clusters C and
B are due to noise caused by the resonant test set electronic
component switches (correlated) and by corona discharges
occurring along the connections between HV bushing and
resonant test set, respectively. It is worthwhile to mention that
phenomena seen in clusters A, B and C were detected at all
measurement points,
The sub-pattern relevant to the PD phenomenon D from the
defective joint, based on the T-W map shown in Fig. 5, is
reported i n Fig. 6a together with an example of the relevant
pulse waveform (Fig 6b). Figure 7 reports the output of the

Fig. 7. PD source idenhficatlonrelevant to the pattern of Fig 6 (phenomenon

D of Fig. 5). As can bee seen, the fuzzy algonthm provides a mixed
classification internal plus surface (wth likehhwd 77 and 23%) The me

alert is not activated.

fuzzy identification tooi, relevant to the pattern of Fig. 6

(phenomenon seen in cluster D of Fig. 5 attributed to joint #6).
AS can be seen, the fuzzy algorithm provides a mixed
classification of Internal plus Surface, with a likelihood of
77% and 23% respectively, The tree alert is not activated.
This identification is compatible with a discharge at an
interface between a joint body and cable insulation and
although limited in a small area, it can occur in the case of
incorrect joint assembly. Of particular note when comparing
Figures 4 and 6, it can be seen that the intensity of the PD
associated with joint No. 6 is mostly lower than that relevant to
PD injected by the W A C resonant test set (rough calibration
carried out at link box indicated PD magnitude values between
10 and 40 pC). Therefore, in the absence of any appropriate
method of separation of PD activity the PD phenomenon
associated wikh joint No. 6 would have not been observed,
The corrective action following the discovery of PD at joint
#6 was to replace the joint. Subsequent to the joint being
replaced PD measurements were again carried out on the cable
system and the newly installed joint did not provide any
indication of phenomena similar to that shown in cluster D of
Fig. 5 and to the pattern shown in Fig. 6, while disturbances
from generator and noise were still present. Forensic
observations on the joint that was removed showed evidence
of incorrect assembly, with the edge of the HV cable electrode
just outside of the shielded zone

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Fig. 9. Auturnaric rdeauficauon output for sub partern E of Fig 8 A\ can be

seen the identification is internal with a likelihood of 100%. The treeing alert
is activated.

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a-Entire pattern acquisition

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joint bay

Fig. 10. Bar chart relevant to (be maximum amplitudes of PD pulses

belonging to the phenomenon characteristic of sub-panem E of Fig. 8,
derected in the bays cbsest to the defetive joint (joint #H). Measurements on
joints #G, #L and #M (non sectionalized straight joints) had lower sensitivity
than for the other (sectionalized) joints, which explains the missed
observation of PD relevant to sub-panernE.

b- T-W

Sub-pattem relevant to Cluster A

1

.
0

L8L

IhaetDnl1

Sub-pattem relevant to Cluster C

Sub-pattemrelevant to Cluster E
Fig. E. Entire pattern acquisition, 8a, obtained in defective joint #H, 400 kV
cable, together with its identification map (T-W), 8b. 'Ihe sub-patterns
relevant to clusters A, B, C, D and E are also reported.

3.3PD measurement results 400 kV line

As in the previous case, PD measurements carried out on
the 400 kV cable system also provided complex patterns, see
Fig. 8 (which is relevant to measurements taken at joint #H,)
Typically, four diFFerent disturbance phenomena were
present at all of the measurement points, and these are grouped
in the following clusters:

PD activity located in the HV connection between the

resonant test set and the cable under test at the substation
where the HVAC resonant test set was installed.
PD activity due to corona phenomena likely located in the
same substation.
Correlated disturbance due to the switching devices of the
HVAC resonant test set.
HF noise due to external sources (uncorrelated noise).

In a few joint bays an additional PD phenomenon was

detected and that was attributed to PD activity located inside
of a defective joint. This corresponds to cluster E in Fig. lib.
The automatic identification output provided by the fuzzy tool
is reported in Fig. 9. As can be seen the identification is
internal with membership 100% and the treeing alert is
activated.
At one joint bay uoint #H) the equivalent frequency and PD
amplitude of cluster E were at maximum (see the bar plot of
Fig. 10) so that location of this PD phenomenon focused on
joint #H. The fact that identification indicated a 100%
likelihood of "Internal" discharge and that the "Tree alert" was
also active, strongly suggested that joint #H should be
replaced.
Subsequent to the joint being replaced PD measurements
were again carried out on the cable system and the newly
installed joint did not provide any indication of phenomena
similar to that shown in cluster E of Fig. 8. Forensic
observations on the joint that was removed revealed the
present of a cavity close to the inner joint semicon laycr
having a clear branched tree starting from the cavity. The

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cavity was attributed to mechanical damage at the semiconinsulation interface due to an installation error.

IV. CONCLUSIONS
The innovative approach for PD detection and processing
described in this paper shows significant advantages when
applied to site measurements performed on H V polymeric
cable systems. The method of separation based on pulse
frequency and time decomposition allows enhanced noise
rejection and PD classification features to be achieved whilst
artificial intelligence methods applied to homogeneous PD
datasets become effective in PD source identification. This
combination of separation and identification leads to
improved reliability of PD phenomena evaluation and
enhances maintenance procedure plans which are fundamental
to reducing operational costs in a utilitys cable network. A
lack of detection of defects in HV polymeric cable systems
which over time under operation stress may lead to unplanned
outages, can be exlremely damaging, not only from the direct
costs of replacement and penalties that may be imposed by
regulators but also the from the network viewpoint of
reductions in system reliability and overall power quality.

V. REFERENCES
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[31

t41

IS]

[6]

[7]

[8]

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[9] F&,
L. E., Signnf Theory, Pcentice-Hall, 1975
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I,

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