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Project: - Hetauda – Dhalkebar – Inaruwa 400kV substation expansion

PD DETECTION BY UHF METHOD

General principle

The principle of the UHF method was developed more than 25 years ago and is
now well-known worldwide after being adopted by many GIS manufacturers and utilities. It
may be recalled that the current pulse which forms the partial discharge has a very short rise
time, which can be less than 50 picoseconds. The rising edges of these pulses excite the GIS
modules into multiple resonances at frequencies of up to at least some GHz. Although the
duration of the current pulse is less than a few nanoseconds, the microwave resonances persist
for a relatively long time, typically a few microseconds.
The electromagnetic waves propagate within the GIS at the speed of light as
TEM-, TE- and TM-waves and are only moderately influenced by open disconnectors or closed
earthing switches. However, an average loss of signal strength of about 2 dB/m take place due
to a combination of reflections, dispersion, division at T-junctions and attenuation. The UHF
signals may readily be picked up by couplers fitted either inside the GIS modules, or over
dielectric windows in the enclosure. Whether internal or external couplers are used, the UHF
signals can be amplified and displayed in different ways where their characteristic patterns
reveal the nature of any defect that might be present in the GIS. Extensive investigations in
laboratories have confirmed that PD detection using UHF technology results in higher or at least
the same sensitivity as detection by PD measurement as set out in IEC 60270. Nowadays the
UHF method is used world-wide for quality assurance during routine testing, on-site testing and
for PD monitoring in service.

Sensitivity Verification

The UHF method does not provide any direct correlation with “pC-values” according to IEC
60270. CIGRE has therefore developed a procedure verifying that it is possible to detect
“bouncing particles with an apparent charge of 5 pC” in complete GIS substations [9]. First, a
laboratory test is carried out for each GIS type and for the PD measuring system used, in

DOCUMENT: Partial Discharge Monitoring

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Project: - Hetauda – Dhalkebar – Inaruwa 400kV substation expansion

order to establish the direct correlation between the 5 pC value and the amplitude of a voltage
step generator. On-site the voltage signal is fed in at a coupler and must be detected at the
adjacent couplers. This second step of the sensitivity verification procedure is used to check the
correct location of the couplers in a complete GIS.
The described procedure is currently under review by the newly launched CIGRE WG D1.25
“Application Guide for PD Detection in GIS using UHF and Acoustic Method”.

Coupler location
In a 400 kV GIS bay as shown in below Figures, modules need to be fitted with sets of couplers
(red marked) to achieve the requirements according to the current CIGRE recommendation
CIGRE TF 5/33.03.05, “Partial Discharge Detection System for GIS: Sensitivity Verification for
the UHF method and the Acoustic Method”.

Fig. 1 (Main bay – Line/Trafo feeder)

DOCUMENT: Partial Discharge Monitoring

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Project: - Hetauda – Dhalkebar – Inaruwa 400kV substation expansion

Fig. 2 (Main bay – Line/Trafo feeder)

Fig. 3 (Main bay)

DOCUMENT: Partial Discharge Monitoring

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Project: - Hetauda – Dhalkebar – Inaruwa 400kV substation expansion

Fig. 4 (BBM bay )

Fig. 5 ( SF6 to Air bushing termination)

DOCUMENT: Partial Discharge Monitoring

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Project: - Hetauda – Dhalkebar – Inaruwa 400kV substation expansion

Fig. 6 (TIE bay)

The UHF output of the two couplers at shown different locations within the GIS configuration
based on a simplified model of UHF signal attenuation. Defects causing PD equivalent to at least
5 pC are always detected by two adjacent couplers which, in total, results in increased
detection sensitivity. The location of defects can be done easily using a two-channel wideband
oscilloscope for time-of-flight measurements because all detected defects are located between
two couplers. The fitting of couplers at the interface to directly connected HV equipment like
cables, power transformer or shunt reactors may give advantages for defect detection in such
equipment. Considering the approach, if sets of couplers shown in above images with red
marking have to be installed on the GIS to fulfill the basic requirement for detection of defects
causing PD equivalent to 5 pC.

Following the current CIGRE procedure the maximum distance between two couplers is
between 10 m and more than 25 m depending on the GIS type, bay design and the substation
layout. In case of long GIB or GIL the distance can be much greater than 100 m.

DOCUMENT: Partial Discharge Monitoring