Bently Nevada LLC Hydroelectric Generator Partial Discharge - Rev. 1 Feb.

/2003

Page 1 of 2

Partial Discharge Analysis

Partial Discharge (PD) is a radio frequency noise measured in the MHz range that is
generated by low level arcing and sparking in generator stator insulation. There are three
basic types of PD of concern in medium voltage generators (5-20kV range), internal
discharges, slot discharges, and end winding discharges.

 Internal discharges occur where the insulation on high voltage coils has internal
voids across which a charge builds up. Generator winding insulation is made up
of many overlapped layers of insulating tape all bonded together with a resin;
polyester or epoxy on modern machines. If manufactured correctly, the insulation
system should be void free. Where the applied voltage is sufficient and internal
insulation voids exist, a charge will build up and arc across the void. The arc
creates measurable radio frequency noise – partial discharge. Void discharges
occur only at the high voltage end of the winding, usually on coils operating at
4,000 Volts to ground or higher. In air-cooled generators (virtually all
hydrogenerators are air-cooled) and motors, internal void PD can be quite
damaging as the arc in air produces ozone which erodes the surrounding
insulation. PD is less of a concern in hydrogen-cooled generators because with no
oxygen present, there is no ozone production.

 Slot discharge occurs where the stator coil is loose and vibrating in the stator slot.
Stator coils have a semi-conducting coating on the outer surface of the slot
portion to ground the outer surface of the coil insulation to the stator core. If the
coil vibrates, making and breaking of the connection between the semi conductor
surface and the grounded core will create arcing. Slot discharge is not a function
of coil voltage, and can occur anywhere in the winding from high voltage to
neutral side. Like the void discharges, slot discharges are damaging in air-cooled
windings because the ozone produced attacks the outer surface of the coil, first
destroying the semi conductor coating, and then eating away at the coil insulation.

 End winding pollution discharge occurs when sufficient conductive dirt builds up
on the stator end windings, usually bridging between coils with significant voltage
differences. In most cases, end winding discharges are not damaging, just an
indication that the winding needs to be cleaned.

Partial discharge measurements are made with specially designed equipment using the
PD Couplers described in the Transducer Selection section of this document. Presence of
each of the three types of PD described above can be determined by analyzing where on
the voltage waveform the PD is detected. Trending of the PD data over time is used to
predict long-term insulation degradation. Unlike temperature or vibration measurements,
there is no established good or bad level of PD. Essentially identical new machines by the
same manufacturer can have significantly different PD levels and still be acceptable for
operation. Increasing levels of PD with time is the primary indicator of degrading

Hydro Generator Partial Discharge

Bently Nevada LLC Hydroelectric Generator Partial Discharge - Rev. 1 Feb./2003

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insulation. PD instruments that take data automatically can be interfaced with System 1
for data for analysis, trending, and storage.

Hydro Generator Partial Discharge