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Abstract On-line Partial Discharge (OLPD) condition terms of criticality as they drive the critical processes [4]
monitoring (CM) refers to the diagnostics of the high [6]. OLPD spot testing and continuous monitoring is
voltage (HV) insulation of in-service HV cables and plant possible under normal working conditions for in-service
in the voltage range of 3.3kV and above. The technique cables, switchgear, rotating machines and transformers.
can be used for CM of the HV insulation systems within This paper describes some options for the deployment of
rotating machines, switchgear, cables and transformers. OLPD technology to support condition based
OLPD CM has recently become accepted in the oil and maintenance (CBM) and other asset management
gas industry as a valuable tool to support condition based schemes. The level of technology chosen (from Levels 1
maintenance (CBM) through preventative maintenance to 4 in Fig. 1 below) depends on the importance/criticality
interventions and repairs to help to reduce the number of of a specific asset within a network. This can range from
unplanned outages and increase plant reliability. Level 1 - periodic OLPD surveying with a handheld unit up
This paper describes a number of options for the to Level 4 continuous OLPD monitoring. The various
deployment of OLPD CM technology in HV networks. The technology and sensor options available are discussed.
various OLPD sensor options available for each type of The paper concludes with two case studies that highlight
HV asset are discussed along with a range of CM asset the benefits that the OLPD condition monitoring
management options. Options range from the use of technology can bring.
portable, handheld OLPD test technology (to make
periodic OLPD spot test measurements) up to the use of
continuous OLPD monitoring technology. The importance
of using OLPD trend data to identify incipient HV
insulation faults is discussed along with the benefits of
condition benchmarking where OLPD trending data is
compared with data held on similar types of plant within a
statistically significant measurements database. The
OLPD technology described can provide the operator with
an indication of the HV insulation condition across an
entire HV network through the benchmarking of OLPD
CM data with developing HV insulation faults detected
most effectively using continuous OLPD monitoring
technology. The paper concludes with two case studies
showing different approaches to HV network OLPD CM
using periodic OLPD spot testing, data trending,
benchmarking and continuous, 24/7 OLPD monitoring.
A. Level 1 - OLPD screening with a Portable, Handheld D. Level 4 Permanent Continuous OLPD Monitoring
OLPD screening refers to quick look-see OLPD Permanent, continuous OLPD monitoring technology is
scanning of the HV plant/cable to detect any OLPD using becoming more widely accepted within the petrochemical
a simple to use, handheld test unit. Handheld testing is industry as an effective CM tool to provide an early
possible for switchgear and cables at present but is not warning against HV insulation failure through developing
suitable for rotating machines and transformers as these insulation faults. By carrying out preventative
require diagnostic OLPD testing (Level 2). Testing is maintenance interventions and repairs of the cable/plant
typically performed in the switchroom where personnel where OLPD is detected, it is possible to avoid costly,
can test an entire switchboard for PD quickly and easily unplanned network outages that can be caused by an HV
using transient earth voltage (TEV) sensors and insulation fault [7]. Continuous, complete HV network
ultrasonic/airborne acoustic probes. Handheld test units OLPD monitoring systems are now becoming increasingly
can provide data for the trending of OLPD levels over time specified in Request for Quotations (RFQs) from Oil and
and the more advanced units in the market can store data Gas operators for new build facilities. These RFQs
and download this into OLPD trending software. include the requirement for the data from the OLPD
monitor to networked through a Local Area Network (LAN)
B. Level 2 - OLPD Diagnostic Testing connections into the operators asset management
system in conjunction with other CM systems to provide a
Level 2 test technology is referred to as OLPD holistic CM scheme [8].
Diagnostic Test technology. This is typically a 4-6 Examples of other CM technologies that can be
channel test unit with synchronous data acquisition on 4 combined with the OLPD technology to provide more
or more channels. This type of technology allows more holistic monitoring solutions include: 1. Rotating HV
detailed testing to be undertaken where OLPD data is machines - vibration, current signature analysis (CSA),
collected from all three phases at once (to within 10 ns on power quality (PQ), 2. Cables distributed temperature
all channels on advanced test units). This enables sensing (DTS), 3. Switchgear thermography and 4.
discharge type i.e. phase-to-phase or phase-to-earth to Transformers - Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA). Such
be ascertained. Typical diagnostic spot test times range systems are now becoming more commonplace as
from around ten minutes to one hour per asset with operators begin to see the interdependence of the various
detailed data analysis and reports often required upon CM data streams they receive. The combination of
completion of the tests. If OLPD activity is detected then mechanical and electrical CM data is considered to be
the diagnostic testing is extended to locate the source of particularly important in the case of rotating HV machines.
With the ever increasing demands on HV assets to rotating HV machines cable terminal box. The second is
operate at the highest level of availability, the continuous to use inductive, high frequency current transformer
trending of OLPD data from continuous monitoring (HFCT) sensors. Due to their frequency response into the
systems is considered to be the most effective way to sub 1 MHz range, the HFCT sensor can detect PD pulses
provide the necessary data to identify trends and any rise originating from a significant distance away (2 km+) down
in PD levels over time. Continuous OLPD monitoring a cable and can therefore be installed either at a
systems detect operational and environmental variations motor/generator cable terminal box or in the switchgear
in PD activity and provide the best early warning against panel that connects to the machine, using the technique
HV insulation failure. This early warning needs to provide of remote OLPD monitoring.
sufficient time to schedule a planned, preventative HVCC sensors have the highest sensitivity (at 10
maintenance intervention, at minimum cost and maximum MHz) of the OLPD sensor options available [9] and are
convenience for the operator, whilst avoiding what can be normally supplied in 80 pF, 500 pF and 1 nF ratings. It
very costly, unplanned outages. The condition is known that higher capacitance HVCCs (500 pF and 1
benchmarking of OLPD data also plays a critical factor in nF) provide a better lower frequency response below 10
effective CBM, whereby the CM data obtained from the MHz than the 80 pF HVCC sensors and are thus
HV asset under test is compared with a large, statistically capable of the detection of PD pulses deep into the HV
significant data-set (from similar types of plant based on windings. The negative here is that the higher
voltage and power rating). capacitance HVCC sensors (500 pF and 1 nF) also
pick-up more electromagnetic (EM) interference than
the 80 pF HVCCs that are inherently more immune.
III. HV ASSETS: DEDICATED SENSORS
Whatever HVCC sensor rating is used, it is crucial that
& RECOMMENDED MONITORING APPROACHES
any OLPD monitoring system employed is capable of
effective de-noising of the data received in order that
It is important to select the correct sensor or
real PD pulses can be reserved and EM noise rejected.
combination of sensors for the HV asset to be monitored.
HFCT sensors have been used successfully for the
TABLE II below gives a summary of which OLPD sensor
remote OLPD monitoring of Ex/ATEX HV motors located
options are applicable for various cable/plant types.
in hazardous gas zones and are also useful when there
are space limitations inside smaller HV motor cable
TABLE II boxes which preclude the installation of HVCC sensors.
OLPD Sensor Options and Plant Specific Applications
In the case of direct-fed HV motors, located in the
APPLICATION Ex/ATEX zone, it is possible to install the HFCT sensors
Direct fed VSD
Rotating HV Cables Swgr* Tx** in the cable box of switchgear (in a non-Ex/ATEX
OLPD Machines Motors switchroom) to detect PD pulses originating from the HV
SENSOR
stator winding of the motor. These pulses travel down
HFCT - High
Frequency
the HV power cable that acts like a waveguide for the
Current
X travelling wave PD pulses. With this application, there is
Transformer no requirement to install sensors in the Ex/ATEX with
HVCC High the advantages here being; a safer installation, cost
Voltage savings and that the entire HV circuit will be monitored,
Coupling
X X
including the switchgear, cables and motor stator.
Capacitor Another sensor option that has been used historically
AA - Airborne
Acoustic
within the industry is the air-cored, Rogowski Coil (RC)
(Ultrasonic)
X X X sensor. These are installed within the machines cable
Sensor terminal box but, as result of their air core, these
UHF Ultra sensors have a relatively low sensitivity and have been
High Frequency X X X now largely superseded now by HFCT sensors that
coupler have a sensitivity of 20-30x of the RC sensor.
TEV - Transient
Earth Voltage X X
Sensor B. VSD-fed HV Motors
RC Rogowski
Coil (Air Cored)
X X X Nowadays an increasing number of HV motor
TB3- Tri-band applications in the oil and gas process requires varying
Sensor with speed and power demand. This is achieved through the
Power Quality use of Variable Speed Drives (VSDs) to control the
SSC - Slot- operating speed of the motor. It is known that if they are
Section Coupler
X X X X
not designed and installed correctly, VSD-operated HV
*Swgr = Switchgears motors can have a negative impact on the local HV
**Tx = Transformers network and/or grid that they are connected to, as well as
serious, damaging effects on the HV stator winding of the
A. Directly fed HV Motors and Generators motor they are driving [7]. With regards to the application
of OLPD CM to monitor the HV stator insulation of the
For rotating HV machines, including motors and VSD-operated HV motors, there are a number of
generators, there are two main sensor options in use in challenges to achieving reliable OLPD data detection
industry. The first (and most common) solution is to install and analysis, as summarized overleaf:
High Voltage Coupling Capacitor (HVCC) sensors in the
The VSDs switching transistors can produce radio frequency energy is emitted from the PD site and
high levels of EM interference (noise) that can a high frequency voltage is induced onto the inner metal
obscure the (much smaller) PD signals. surfaces of the switchgear. This sets up a high
The supply frequency cannot be easily isolated frequency travelling voltage, the so-called transient
due to the continuously varying output frequency earth voltage - TEV. This TEV pulse will them emerge
from the VSD and so a clean (without onto the outer skin of the metal-clad housing where
harmonics) voltage reference source is there are gaps, such as at joints, seams, gaskets and
sometimes difficult to obtain. vents. The fact that the TEV signals pass to the outside
The HV motors are often located in Ex/ATEX of the switchgear is the reason why this OLPD
hazardous gas zones with often only limited measurement technique has become popular, as it is
space for safe sensor installations. totally non-intrusive and TEV sensors are now
However, a number of new OLPD monitoring solutions incorporated into a number of commercially available
have been reported [10], [11] for continuous monitoring of handheld test units. The detection of these high
partial discharge activity in the HV stator winding of VSD- frequency TEV pulses can also be used for localisation
operated HV motors. These new monitoring solutions of a PD source along a HV switchboard using TOF
need to have the ability to detect and assess PD pulses measurements (with a very fast A to D digitizer) when
whilst discounting any high-frequency EM noise signals multiple TEV sensors are used along a switchboard.
caused from the VSDs switching electronics. The solution The other sensor used for HV switchgear OLPD
to this problem requires a combination of hardware and detection is the airborne acoustic (AA) sensor, an
software noise reduction techniques, including the use of ultrasonic sensor with a narrow frequency response of
multiple, distributed sensors and synchronous data 40 kHz +/- 2 kHz. This AA sensor is particularly useful
capture on 4-6 channels to enable precedence pulse for detecting corona and surface discharges into air
arrival measurements to be made (which pulse came from cable terminations and within AIS. The AA sensor
first?) to separate VSD noise from PD originating in the can either magnetically attached or permanently affixed
HV stator windings. to either the inside or outside of AIS housing. If the
sensor is used on the outside of the switchgear panel
C. Switchgear then it must be installed over air vents or gaps with the
acoustic sensor looking into the panel through the
Air insulated switchgear (AIS) in the voltage range vent/gap. Fully enclosed switchgear with no grills, vents,
3.3-36 kV can be tested using a combination of or air gaps require the installation of permanent AA
Transient Earth Voltage (TEV) electromagnetic sensors sensors inside the switchgear. The AA probes pick-up
and Airborne Acoustic (AA) ultrasonic sensors. is directionally sensitive and so it is possible to locate
the source of any airborne/surface discharge through a
'point-and-measure' approach, as is used in a number
of handheld OLPD test units available in the market.
D. HV Power Cables
Fig. 3 Monitoring four (4) complete HV motor feeder Within the second-tier substation level, the operator
circuits from the switchboard using HFCT sensors can access more detailed asset condition with alert levels
and trends, as shown in Fig. 5. With this second level
V. THE IMPORTANCE OF TRENDING DATA view it is possible to observe the condition of individual
plant items with the condition criticality of each plant item
As has been stated already in this paper, no matter displayed in form of colour-coded plant condition
which test or monitoring approach is used (OLPD indicators, the colour-codes indicating the insulation
screening, periodic diagnostic testing or continuous condition criticality and risk of failure on a scale of 0-100%
monitoring) the trending of the OLPD measurements and through direct comparison with the OLPD CM data from
monitoring data is of fundamental importance. Data both the local plant population and also a statistically valid
trending between tests and peer-to-peer comparison of measurements database.
data (with a statistically valid database) are both highly
recommended in order to understand what is the norm
Fig. 7 TEV measurements along a 13.8 kV switchboard
IX. CONCLUSIONS
HFCT High Frequency Current Transformer Marc James Foxall received a First Class BEng (Hons)
HV High Voltage (> 3.3 kV) Degree from De Montfort University, Leicester in 2010 in
Electronic Engineering, fully accredited by the IET. He
LAN Local Area Network was awarded the IET Outstanding Achievement Award
O&M Operation and Maintenance and Department of Engineering Best Final Year Project
for the development of a new type of high current HFCT
OLPD On-line Partial Discharge sensor. Marc is a member of both the IEEE and IET,
PD Partial Discharge currently working towards Chartered Engineer (C.Eng)
status. Since joining HVPD in 2009, Marc has carried
PILC Paper Insulated Lead Covered
out a wide variety of on-line and off-line PD test projects
PRPD Phase Resolved PD Plot for the utility, industrial and marine sectors with over 60
projects now completed. Marc presently manages
RC Rogowski Coil
HVPDs test services team.
RFQ Request for Quotation marc.foxall@hvpd.co.uk