OPERATIONAL MANUAL

PARTIAL DISCHARGE DETECTOR

MODEL: AVK 64

Akil Electronics Systems

E – 14, Akshar Township,
[Kishan Samosa Lane],
Off. College Road
NADIAD 387001
(Gujarat)

Tel: (0268) 6547111

Tel. & Fax: (0268) 2529272
Email: aes1@sify.com
 CONTENTS

1. Definitions -- 3
2. Introduction -- 4
3. Front panel controls & indicators -- 5
4. Rear panel connections -- 6
5. Connections & Test procedure -- 7
6. Basic interconnections – balanced method -- 8
7. Connections for straight forward method -- 9
8. Maintenance -- 11

Page 1 of 11
 WARNING !!
• It is very important that the ground / earth connection of the ‘ input unit’
and the partial discharge detector shall always remain connected to a
good earth connection.

• In the balanced mode testing, the test object and the reference /
standard objects are not directly earthed, but connected through the
input unit. Hence very high voltages may be present during the testing.

• Poor earth connections may lead to equipment damage and cause fatal
injury to the operating personnel.

• Always discharge all the HV components, before touching / handling

them.

• Sufficient distance / clearance shall be maintained between high voltage

connections and other equipment in the vicinity.

• For balanced mode testing: The test object shall be subjected to high
voltage withstand test, before it is connected to the test arrangement for
partial discharge test. It is important, because high voltage failure /
flashovers may (some times) cause equipment / protective component
failures. (Balanced mode is not applicable for Cable testing)
• The Oscilloscope display will be normally hot during operation. A
suitable ventilation / cooling arrangement is necessary to prevent the
oscilloscope from frequent failures.

Page 2 of 11
 DEFINITIONS

PARTIAL DISCHARGE

Partial discharges are localized electrical discharges within the insulation, restricted to only
part of the insulation which is under test and only partially bridges the insulation between
conductors Partial discharges may occur in cavities / voids in solid insulation, in gas
bubbles in liquid insulation or between layers of insulation with different dielectric
characteristics. They may also occur at sharp edges or points of metallic surfaces. These
discharges occur in the form of individual pulses, which can be measured with sensitive
instruments.

APPARENT CHARGE

The apparent charge ( q ) of a partial discharge is the charge, which, if injected

instantaneously between the terminals of the test object, would momentarily change the
voltage between its ( test object ) terminals by the same amount as the discharge itself.

The apparent charge is expressed in ‘Pico coulombs’ ( Pc ).

PARTIAL DISCHARGE INCEPTION VOLTAGE

The partial discharge inception voltage ( Vi ) is the lowest voltage at which partial
discharges are observed in the test arrangement, when the voltage applied to the object is
gradually increased from a lower value.

PARTIAL DISCHARGE EXTINCTION VOLTAGE

The partial discharge extinction voltage ( Ve ) is the lowest voltage at which partial
discharges are not observed ( disappeared ) in the test arrangement when the voltage
applied to the test object is gradually decreased from a higher value.

PARTIAL DISCHARGE TEST VOLTAGE

Partial discharge test voltage is a specified voltage , applied as per specified test
procedure, during which the test object should not exhibit partial discharges exceeding a
specified magnitude.

MEASURING ACCURACY & SENSITIVITY

Partial discharges are usually phenomena, which are greatly affected by several factors
and therefore are of relatively low reproducibility.

The measurements are also affected by the background noise, which should be low enough
to permit a sufficiently accurate measurement of the partial discharge ( normally less than
50% of the specified permissible partial discharge magnitude ). Pulses known to be caused
by external disturbances can be disregarded during testing. When low ( ≤10 Pc ) partial
discharge magnitudes are specified for equipment acceptance tests, a background noise up
to 100% of the specified value may be accepted.

(Reference: IEC 60270)

Page 3 of 11
INTRODUCTION

The partial discharge detector, Model:AVK64 is a highly sensitive instrument, which forms
an important element of partial discharge test arrangement. The other elements are, the
high voltage transformer, coupling capacitor and the input matching unit.

This PD detector is designed to function either in ‘straight forward’ method or in the

‘balanced’ (bridge) mode.

A single ‘input unit’ can be used for both types of measurement methods, which is
explained in detail in this manual.

SPECIFICATIONS

Measuring Amplifier

Measuring bandwidth : 40 – 400 kHz, wide band

Attenuation : 4 steps
Gain : Variable
Linearity : Measurement is linear till the measured signal
level is within 100% of the calibrated gain setting
Resolution time : 100 kHz

Display : Digital, 3.5 digit, LED (199.9)

Calibrator

Output : 5, 20, 50 & 100 pC

Injection capacitor
Pulse rise time
Pulse repetition rate
Pulse width
Magnitude accuracy
: 100 pF, Accuracy within ± 5% (Low voltage, 100Volts)
: < 100nS
: 2 x line frequency
: 250 – 1000 micro seconds
: ±1%

Electronic window

No. of openings : 2 (one on each half cycle)

Width & position : Adjustable

Outputs

‘ X ’ output on rear panel : AC signal for creating ellipse on Oscilloscope

‘Y’ : P.D pulses, super imposed on the ellipse
‘ CAL.OUT ‘ : Calibrator pulse output & Cal. Common
‘ SL ‘ : Partial Discharge Site Location facility (optional, in-built)
for power cable testing

Power supply : 230 volts, 50 Hz, 250VA

Operating temperature : 10 to 35ºC ambient, 95% RH, non condensing

******

Page 4 of 11
 FRONT PANEL CONTROLS AND INDICATORS

MAINS POWER

This two pole ON / OFF switch supplies power to the instrument. An indicator illuminates
when the power is switched ‘on’.

AMPLIFIER

The amplifier section has two separate controls for the signal attenuation and amplifier gain.

GAIN: Gain (magnitude) of the measured partial discharge signal can be increased or
decreased by adjusting this potentiometer.

This potentiometer shall not be disturbed / adjusted after the completion of calibration.

ATTENUATOR: A four-step attenuator marked as 1,2,3 & 4 (having 1, 10, 100 & 1000
multiplication factor) is used to attenuate the incoming partial discharge signal.

A suitable level is selected during the initial calibration of the instrument with the test object
connected. Object capacitance & impedance influences level of attenuation required.

The attenuation / multiplier level may be changed during the testing, if the magnitude of the
measured value exceeds the pre selected level.

WINDOW

ON / OFF: The window (signal blanking) module blanks the signals in ‘ON’ condition.

WIDTH: The size of two viewing windows may be changed using this potentiometer. The
digital pC meter & the oscilloscope will show only discharges occurring in this area.

Viewing area width

ROTATE: Both the viewing windows can be rotated along the ellipse and they move
simultaneously.

Rotation of position

Page 5 of 11
CALIBRATOR

ON / OFF : The calibrator module is turned on by this switch and the LED indicator
illuminates.
PC OUTPUT: A four step selector switch enables the selection of output from 5pC to 100
pC, injected through a 100 pF capacitor.
ELLIPSE
HEIGHT: Vertical amplitude of the ellipse (displayed on the oscilloscope) is controlled by
varying this potentiometer.
WIDTH: Horizontal width of the ellipse can be adjusted by this potentiometer.
PHASE: The phase angle of the ellipse changes while adjusting this control.
PICO COULOMB DISPLAY MODULE
CALIBRATE: This is used to adjust the digital display during the initial calibration of the test
set up together with the ‘GAIN’ control of the amplifier module. This also shall not be
disturbed / adjusted after the completion of calibration.
DIGITAL PC METER: This digital LED display indicates the measured partial discharge
magnitude in pico coulombs.
REAR PANEL CONNECTIONS

SIGNAL INPUT: Connected to the ‘INPUT UNIT’ , which feeds the partial discharge signals
to the detector, from the object under test.
CAL.OUT: The output signal of the in-built calibrator is available at this connector. This
output shall be connected to the test set up through a 100 pF calibration injection capacitor.

[If the calibration injection capacitor is of low voltage type, it is installed inside the ‘Input
unit’. If this capacitor is of high voltage type, then it is installed externally]

CAL.COMMON: The calibrator output has a floating ground, which shall be connected to
the “CAL.COMMON” terminal on the INPUT UNIT. This shall not be connected to test set
up ground connection during ‘balanced mode’ tests. However, this shall be connected to
test set up ground during ‘straight forward’ measurement. Failure to do so will result in
incorrect calibration.
WARNING!!
The capacitor and the connecting cable shall be disconnected from the test set up on
completion of the calibration. Otherwise damage will occur to the instrument.

OSCILLOSCOPE – X, Y : These two outputs are to be connected to the X & Y (or channel
1 & 2) inputs of the oscilloscope. The oscilloscope shall be earthed properly.

230 V, AC INPUT SOCKET: This 3 pin input socket consists a line filter with built-in fuse.

GROUND: This shall be directly connected to the HV ground / earth point.

Page 6 of 11
 CONNECTIONS AND TEST PROCEDURE

(A) STRAIGHT FORWARD METHOD (Refer fig-1 on page 9)

1. Connect the GROUND / EARTH terminal of the ‘input unit’ to the high voltage earth
point. Failure to make a good connection will result in equipment damage or fatal
injury to operating personnel.
2. Connect the low voltage side of the HV blocking capacitor to the terminal “CS” on the
input unit.
3. Connect the high voltage side of the HV blocking capacitor to the high voltage out
put of the HV source.
4. Connect the HV side of the object also to the output side of the HV source (parallel
connections) and connect the low voltage side of the object to earth.
5. Use proper HV connecting rods / conduits of adequate size to avoid surface corona.
6. Connect the output of the ‘input unit’ using the shielded signal cable, to the signal
input (RF co-axial connector on the rear side) of the partial discharge detector.
7. Connect the ‘CAL OUT’ terminal of the PD Detector (which provides calibrator
output) to one of the test object, through a 100 Pf low voltage calibration injection
capacitor, which is located inside the input unit.
Connect the ‘CAL.COMMON’ signal output to system earth / ground point.
WARNING !! The low voltage calibration injection capacitor and the connecting cable shall
be disconnected from the test object, after completion of the initial calibration.
8. Turn the PD detector ‘on’ using the main switch provided on the front panel and
allow the instrument to warm up for about 30 seconds.
9. Keep the ‘ATTENUATOR’ switch of the amplifier module at position 1 (or any other
suitable position, this position during calibration is considered as 1).
10. Keep the ‘GAIN’ control of the amplifier at mid-position.
11. Keep the ‘CALIBRATE’ potentiometer of the Pico coulomb meter also at mid-
position.
12. Keep the window module in ’off’ position.
13. Switch ‘on’ the calibrator and set the ‘pC OUTPUT’ to 50 pC.
14. Adjust the digital display to read 50 pC using the ‘CALIBRATE’ potentiometer and
the ‘GAIN’ control.
15. Level of the ‘ATTENUATOR’ may be changed to a suitable position, if required
during the calibration.
16. Switch ‘off’ the calibrator and disconnect the100 pF injection capacitor and the
connecting cable.
17. Energize the high voltage transformer and increase the test voltage to the specified
level and observe the partial discharge, if any.
18. If the measured discharge magnitude exceeds the range, the ‘MULTIPLIER’ position
may be changed to a suitable level and the measured value is multiplied by the
attenuation factor (However the ‘GAIN’ and ‘CALIBRATE’ controls shall not be
disturbed / adjusted during testing).
Attenuator Multiplying Meter Actual Value
Position Factor Display - pC pC
1 1 50 50
2 10 50 500
3 100 50 5000
4 1000 50 50000

Page 7 of 11
(B) BALANCED MODE TESTING (Not suitable for cable testing) (Refer fig-2 on page 10)
1. Connect the GROUND / EARTH terminal of the ‘input unit’ to the high voltage earth
point. Failure to make a good connection will result in equipment damage or fatal
injury to operating personnel.
2. Connect the low voltage sides of the two objects under test, to the terminals marked
as CS & CX on the ‘input unit’.
3. Connect the high voltage points of the two objects to the high voltage transformer.
4. Connect the output of the ‘input unit’ using the shielded signal cable, to the signal
input (RF co-axial connector on the rear side) of the partial discharge detector.
5. Connect the ‘CAL OUT’ terminal of the PD Detector (which provides calibrator
output) to the LV side of the test object, through a 100 pF low voltage calibration
injection capacitor, which is mounted inside the ‘input unit’.
6. Connect the ‘CAL.COMMON’ terminal to the HV side of the test object
WARNING !! The low voltage calibration injection capacitor and the connecting cable shall
be disconnected from the test object, after completion of the initial calibration.
7. Turn the PD detector ‘on’ using the main switch provided on the front panel and
allow the instrument to warm up for about 30 seconds.
8. Keep the ‘ATTENUATOR’ switch of the amplifier module at position 1 (or any other
suitable position).
9. Keep the ‘GAIN’ control of the amplifier at mid-position.
10. Keep the ‘CALIBRATE’ potentiometer of the Pico coulomb meter also at mid-
position.
11. Keep the window module in ’off’ position.
12. Switch ‘on’ the calibrator and set the ‘pC OUTPUT’ to 50 pC.
13. Adjust the digital display to read 50 pC using the ‘CALIBRATE’ potentiometer and
the ‘GAIN’ control.
14. Level of the ‘ATTEUNATOR’ may be changed to a suitable position, if required
during the calibration.
15. Switch ‘off’ the calibrator and disconnect the100 pF injection capacitor and the
connecting cable.
16. Energize the high voltage transformer and increase the test voltage to the specified
level and observe the partial discharge, if any.
17. If the measured discharge magnitude exceeds the range, the ‘ATTENUATOR’
position may be changed to a suitable level and the measured value is multiplied by
the attenuation factor (However the ‘GAIN’ and ‘CALIBRATE’ controls shall not be
disturbed / adjusted during testing).

Page 8 of 11
 H.V

Object

HV
Coupling
Capacitor

** The switch located between

CX and CS should be kept
CS CX Earth At position ‘S’,towards CS
Some models will not have the switch.
Eg. For cable testing

PD SIGNAL 100pF CAL.COMMON

CALIBRATOR

*The input unit has a 100pF & or 1000pF calibration

injection capacitors, built – in.

COM.

SIGNAL INPUT CAL Y X REAR PANEL OSCILLOSCOPE

Fig.1

THE STRAIGHT FORWARD METHOD

( WITH PD FREE HV COUPLING CAPACITOR )

Page 9 of 11
 H.V

Object 1
or Capacitor Object 2

** The switch located between

CX and CS should be kept
At position ‘B’, towards CX
CS CX EARTH

PD SIGNAL CALIBRATOR 100pF CAL.COMMON * The input unit contains a 100pF & or 1000pF
Calibration injection capacitors, built-in.

SIGNAL INPUT COM CAL Y X REAR PANEL OSCILLOSCOPE

Fig.2

BASIC INTERCONNECTIONS – BALANCED METHOD

Page 10 of 11
 MAINTENANCE

Problem: Mains Power On/Off switch does not illuminate while switched ‘on’.
Action required: Check the incoming 230v AC supply source, Check the mains fuse located
in the 3 pin line socket on the rear panel. The input socket has a built in filter, replace if
defective. Check the switch itself for proper contacts, burn outs. Check the main
transformer for the power supply.

Problem: LED of the calibrator module does not light up while calibrator is switched ‘on’.
Action required: Remove top cover of the instrument. Check the 7805 voltage regulator on
the calibrator module, check the ac input to this module from the mains transformer.

Problem: No calibration signal output.

Action required: Connect an oscilloscope directly to the CAL.Out terminal (on the rear
panel) and check the output pulse, Check the external 100pF injection capacitor, return the
instrument if pulse is not available. Note: The CAL OUT has a floating ground (common)
which shall be connected properly to instrument ground/earth terminal during testing
performance check / repair / adjustments.

Problem: Digital pC meter does not indicate any value.

Action required: Check the amplifier on/off switch, vary gain and multiplier settings, vary
calibrate potentiometer, check the input cable connections, check the internal +12v, +15v
and –15v, replace the voltage regulators if found defective, check the mains transformer
output to the power supply board, return the instrument if still problem exist.

Problem: No signal is displayed on the oscilloscope

Action required: Check the connecting cables. Check the X & Y outputs using another
oscilloscope, 50Hz sine wave should be available on X and 50 Hz sine wave with PD
signals (super imposed on sine) should be available on Y.

IMPORTANT

Check the signal cables regularly. Loose connections / damages to these co-axial cables
may cause errors, signal loss and also increase the background noise.

Ensure good ground connection of the instrument and the input unit.

Page 11 of 11
 INTERCONNECTIONS

P.D DETECTOR TO INPUT UNIT

PD DETECTOR INPUT UNIT CABLE TYPE

Input P.D. Signal R.F Coaxial, shielded

Cal. Out Calibrator R.F Coaxial, shielded
Cal. Common Cal. Common R.F Coaxial, shielded
OR Normal Wire

Note: “CAL COMMON” of the PD detector shall be connected ground / earth terminal of the PD
detector for straight forward measurement.
 INTERCONNECTIONS – STRAIGHT FORWARD METHOD

CALIBRATION WITH COMPLETE TEST SET UP, PRIOR TO APPLICATION OF HIGH

VOLTAGE & P.D TESTING OF THE OBJECT UNDER TEST.

INPUT UNIT

H.V POINT

OBJECT UNDER TEST

L.V POINT (OR) GROUND

NOTE:
(1) Either 100 pF or 1000 pF may be used depending on PD level
(2) They shall be removed immediately after completion of calibration procedure
(3) WARNING !! Failure to remove this cable during application of high voltage will
result in equipment damage and fatal injuries to operating personnel !!
 INTERCONNECTIONS – BALANCED METHOD

CALIBRATION WITH COMPLETE TEST SET UP, PRIOR TO APPLICATION OF HIGH

VOLTAGE & P.D TESTING OF THE OBJECT UNDER TEST.

INPUT UNIT

H.V POINT

OBJECT UNDER TEST

L.V POINT

NOTE:
(1) The POLARITY of calibration signal is connected in REVERSE across the
object.
(2) Either 100 pF or 1000 pF may be used depending on PD level
(3) CAL.COMMON has a “T” type RF connector. One end of this goes to the PD
detector and the other end is connected to the test object.
(4) They shall be removed immediately after completion of calibration procedure
(5) WARNING !! Failure to remove this cable during application of high voltage will
result in equipment damage and fatal injuries to operating personnel !!
 INTERCONNECTIONS

INPUT UNIT TO H.V COUPLING CAPACITOR IN

STRAIGHT FORWARD METHOD

HIGH VOLTAGE POINT FROM H.V

SOURCE

L.V POINT

H.V CAPACITOR OBJECT UNDER TEST

• The terminal marked as “OBJECT / CX” on the input unit is

not connected (un-used); this may be connected to ground.
• The object under test is connected in parallel with the HV
coupling capacitor.
• The miniature lever switch should be on the left side position
marked as “S” (towards HV CAPACITOR / CS)

WARNING !! The input unit shall be connected to ground using

the “EARTH” terminal (black colour banana socket) failure to
make this connection will result in equipment damage and fatal
injury to operating personnel !!
 INTERCONNECTIONS

INPUT UNIT TO H.V COUPLING CAPACITOR (or the PD free object) AND THE
OBJECT UNDER TEST IN BALANCED METHOD

HIGH VOLTAGE POINTS

LV POINT LV POINT

H.V CAPACITOR OBJECT # 2, UNDER TEST

Or OBJECT # 1

• The objects are not directly connected to earth point. The low
voltage sides are connected to the input unit.
• The bodies of objects are earthed.
• The circuit on LV side is completed inside the input unit via
4Ampere inductors. Hence the load current through the objects
shall not exceed this limit. Also the voltage shall not be more
than 115 volts at the LV points.
• It is important that the object is tested for high voltage
withstanding capacity, prior to PD test.
• The miniature lever switch should be on the right side position
marked as “B” (towards OBJECT / CX).
• WARNING !! The input unit shall be connected to ground using
the “EARTH” terminal (black colour banana socket) failure to
make this connection will result in equipment damage and
injury to operating personnel !!