Sensitivity of UHF PD measurements in power transformers

Abstract

The reliability of electrical energy networks depends on the quality and availability of electrical equipment like power transformers. Local failures inside their insulation may lead to catastrophic breakdowns and might cause high outage and penalty costs. To prevent these destructive events power transformers are e.g. tested for partial discharge (PD) activity before commissioning and currently also during service. The current work deals with the electromagnetic PD detection method, also known as UHF method. The disadvantage of the UHF method is still the missing possibility for a calibration or at least a verification of the sensitivity. The so-called Sensitivity Check might show in future a relation between unconventionally measured UHF quantities to the apparent charge level in pico Coulomb. An important aspect is the attenuation of UHF signals within power transformers which is investigated in this paper.