Urairat Fuangsoongnern et al Int. Journal of Engineering Research and Applications www.ijera.

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RESEARCH ARTICLE OPEN ACCESS

A measurement technique to identify and locate partial discharge

in transformer with AE and HFCT
Urairat Fuangsoongnern1, 2, Asst. Prof. Dr.Winai Plueksawan2
1
Provincial Electricity Authority, Bangkok, Thailand
2
Faculty of Engineering Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand

ABSTRACT
This paper proposes a measurement technique to identify and locate the occurrence of partial discharge (PD) in
the insulation of oil immersed and dry type distribution transformers. With reference to IEEE Std. C57.127-
2007, four acoustic transducers type PD-TP500A were used to locate PD and one HFCT (High frequency current
transducer) was used to identify PD. This process could accurately identify and locate the source of PD
occurring at any position in a distribution transformer. The result of the findings enabled us to prevent damage
and deploy defensive maintenance measure on the distribution transformer in time.
Keywords - Partial Discharge, Oil Type Transformer, Dry Type Transformer, Acoustic Emission, High
Frequency Current Transducer

I. Introduction insulation oil, tank, HV bushing, LV bushing and oil

Transformer is the main equipment which level gauge. Mineral oil is used as insulation and
used to modify the voltage in the high voltage from cooling.
one level to another level in order to supply electricity
through transmission lines or distribution lines. Dry Type Transformer consists of winding, core,
Transformers are used for 24 hours and transformers connector and cooling fan. Resin is used as insulation
could be damaged by the PD occurring. The research
is intended to detect PD in distribution transformers III. Causes And Effects Of Transformer
by measuring the PD and identify PD. The measured Damage
signal is the waveform shown through computer The major cause of transformer insulation
screen. Bring up the waveform and locate the source deterioration and damage is caused by Partial
of PD occurring at any position in a distribution Discharge (PD). The insulation of the electrode, one
transformer to analyses for planning in order to side or both sides may be a solid, liquid or gas. Partial
prevent damage and preparing to maintenance discharge occurs in the insulation. With a high electric
distribution transformers to prevent damage in field is not uniform or insulation is not uniform or
distribution transformers. homogeneous or other contaminating. Electric field
stress at some point in the insulation is higher than the
II. Components Of The Transformer critical electric field stress. But may not have caused a
Most of the structure of the transformer complete breakdown. But it only partially [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
consists of 3 major components: Core: iron core of a
transformer is made from metal sheets, coated with IV. Theory Of The Measurements,
dielectric laminate. Material of dielectric laminate, Identification And Location Of The
made from Ferromagnetic, has good magnetic Occurrence Of Partial Discharge
properties. The high magnetic permeability help Measurement techniques and analysis signal
reducing the magnetic leakage phenomena. can be divided into the two modes:
Off-line Monitoring: Off Line Monitoring Partial
Winding: Conducting coil of a transformer is Discharge measurement is being measured when all
generally made of copper or aluminum wire, wrapped the devices stop working (Shut down system).
with insulation.
Insulation: the insulation of transformer is intended to
On-line Monitoring: On Line Monitoring Partial
prevent winding’s exposure to the core steel and
Discharge measurement is conducted while all the
prevent each turn of coils from touching one another.
devices are operating normally and being nonstop
working. In the measurement of the partial discharge
In general, transformer consists of two types.
in this mode, the Partial Discharge occurs while
Oil Immersed Transformer consists of winding, core,
supply being on only [6].

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In this article, the researchers measured the PD in the can be viewed in trend, table view, 2D graph, 3D
transformers using the On-line Monitoring described in graphic and amplitude-pulse.
AE method (Acoustic Emission: IEEE Std. C57.127-
2007) [9] and HFCT (High Frequency Current 5.2 Description of equipment used in the test
Transducer). 5.2.1PD-TP500A
PD-TP500A is a tool which is used for analysing
4.1 Acoustic Emission technique signal and the findings signal of partial discharge of
Acoustic Emission technique is testing by sending equipment. PD-TP500A has five channels consist of
sound waves through an advanced non-destructive four of AE (Acoustic Emission) and a HFCT (High
testing [7, 8]. The principle is to measure the frequency Frequency Current Transducer) sensors detecting the
and the energy released when the crack expansion or signal simultaneously, compare the signals to
when the phase change in the material and the energy determine whether the signal originated from inside of
that is released from the physical change in a solid the equipment or outside. When comparing all four
material. Caused by external force or by a change in signals from AE sensors, the location of the source
temperature such as the fluid and within the crack. can be determined.
Which the object is detected by the release of energy
and precise to predict the position of the Partial
Discharge [9, 10, 11].

Figure 2. Power PD System Model (PD-TP500A)

5.2.2 AE Sensor
AE Sensor (Type R15I: Preamplifier 100x) has a
sensitivity of 20 pC. Frequency range is from 50 kHz
to 300 kHz. The sampling rate is 18 MHz. (max). The
Figure 1. Illustration of typical propagation paths for detected signals will be amplified 100 times for
the acoustic PD signal further processing.

4.2 High Frequency Current Transducer technique

High Frequency Current Transducer technique has
been specifically designed to measure the signal of
Partial Discharge in contrast, it has a ferrite core to be
suitable for the device to be measured. The main
applications in the measurement the signal of Partial Figure 3. AE Sensor
Discharge devices use HFCT consistent with ground
wire of the transformer. Partial discharge test with 5.2.3 HFCT Sensor
HFCT on line transfer impedance measurement HFCT Sensor (Type 50/100: 1mA/2.4mV) has a
method is a technique in which units of measure are in sensitivity of 5 pC. Frequency range is from 100 kHz. to
the form 2.4 mV/1mA. 30 MHz. The sampling rate is 20 MHz (max). The signal
rate is one to 2.4.
V. The Equipments Used In The
Experiment
5.1 Partial Discharge Signal Analysis is online
The device which used to display on the computer
screen called Power PD (PD-TP500A). It used for
measuring the Partial Discharge online for
transformers with Sensors 2 types of AE Sensor and Figure 4. HFCT Sensor
HFCT Sensor is connected to the PD-TP500A via
coaxial cable at a distance of 20 meters and connected 5.3 Preparation for the test
to HFCT at a distance of 10 meters. The signals from Equipment used in testing are:
four AE sensors and a HFCT are measured 5.3.1 AC power source
simultaneously and the data is saved in computer [12]. 5.3.2 Sets of equipment PD-TP500A consists of AE
The software will analyze the frequency of measured Sensor and HFCT Sensor and computer to display the
signal, burst time, spectrum and the location of the measurement and analysis of the signal Partial
source [13]. The data from the continuous monitoring

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Discharge by connection Power PD (PD-TP500A) to If none of the sensors were able to detect any signals
computer via Port USB. of PD Burst, it could be concluded that no PD
5.3.3 Equipment used to measure the partial discharge occurred within the transformer, as shown in Figure 8.
signal must be loading and running at all times.
5.3.4 When the equipment provided and installed to
measure signal of partial discharge completed and
then performed to detect and measure the signal. The
result of signal to analysis and locate the source of the
signal detected.

Figure 8. Display of No Partial Discharge

If signals were detected by AE sensors only, it could

be concluded that the signals could either be a
Figure 5. Configuration of PD-TP500A mechanical signal, floor vibration or some sort of
loose parts inside the transformer, as shown in Figure
VI. Reading Data And Signals Attained 9, Figure 10, and Figure 11 respectively.
From The Experiment

Figure 6. Display of Software

Figure 9. Display of a Mechanical Signal inside
If PD Burst were detected from both AE sensors and the transformer
HFCT sensor. It could be concluded that the PD
occurred within the transformer, as shown in Figure 7.

Figure 10. Display of Arcing signal inside the

Figure 7. Display of Partial Discharge Detect transformer

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Figure 13. The position of AE sensor installation for

Oil Immersed Transformer (Core Form: Single Phase)

Figure 11. Display of Signal from inside of core

vibration

If signals were detected from the HFCT sensor only, it

could be concluded that the signals could be
mechanical signals or from arcing inside the
transformer or it could be signals of PD caused by
external transformer as shown in Figure 12. Figure 14. The position of AE sensor installation for
Oil Immersed Transformer (Core Form: Three Phase)

Figure 15. The position of AE sensor installation for

Oil Immersed Transformer (Shell Form: Single Phase)

Figure 12. Display of Partial Discharge outside

the transformer

VII. The Installation of AE Sensors And

HFCT Sensor
The installation of AE sensors referred to the
IEEE Std C57.127-2007, Guide for the Detection and
Location of Acoustic Emissions from Partial
Discharge in Oil-Immersed Transformers and
Reactors [9, 14, 15, 16]. AE 1: Installed at Top of
Side 1 (HV Side), AE 2: Installed at Bottom of Side 2 Figure 16. The position of AE sensor installation for
(Left Side), AE 3: Installed at Top of Side 3 (LV Dry Type Transformer
Side) and AE 4: Installed at Bottom of Side 4 (Right
Side) VIII. Case Study

8.1 Oil Immersed Transformer

The experiment was conducted on May 31, 2011. The
transformer being tested was an Oil Immersed Type

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with specifications of 2000 kVA, 22 kV/400-230 V,

50 Hz,3 Phases. The position of AE sensor installation
referred to IEEE Std C57.127-2007 [9].

Figure 20. The result of measured signal of PD

(Move AE and HFCT)

As shown in Figure 20, after reposition the sensor 2,

sensor 3, sensor 4 and HFCT, the PD location at
Figure 17. The position of AE sensor and HFCT sensor 1 could be confirmed. In order to reconfirm the
on transformer PD location, all the AE sensors were repositioned
along Y axis (vertical) and HFCT remained on case
ground of side 2.

Figure 21. The position of AE sensor and HFCT

Figure 18. Signal of partial discharge detection after repositioning
with AE and HFCT

Figure 18 shows the signals detection from AE sensor

1 and HFCT sensor. To confirm the location of PD,
sensor 2, sensor 3 and sensor 4 were repositioned
around sensor 1 and HFCT was moved to the position
of on case ground of side 2.

Figure 22. The result of measured signals of PD

(AE sensors and HFCT repositioned)

From Figure 22, after the AE sensors were installed

along the Y axis, it could once again be confirmed
that the PD occurred at the location of AE sensor 1.
To make another reconfirmation, all the AE sensors
Figure 19. Position of AE sensors and HFCT were moved to the position of the top of side 1 while
on transformer the HFCT remained at the same position.

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Figure 23. The position of AE sensor and HFCT on

transformer (After knowing the source of the signal)

Figure 26. Signal of partial discharge detection

with AE and HFCT

From Figure 26, show the signal detection from AE

sensors and HFCT. In order to reconfirm the PD
location, all the AE sensors were repositioned along X
axis (horizontal) and HFCT remained on case ground
of side 4 as shown in Figure 27.

Figure 24. The result of measured signal of PD

(after AE sensors and HFCT repositioned)

Figure 24, shows that the AE sensors and HFCT sensor

were able to detect and locate the PD at the position of
the top of side 1. The positions of the AE sensors are
shown in Figure 23.

8.2 Dry Type Transformer

The experiment was conducted on November 12, 2010.
The transformer being tested was a Dry Type Transformer
with specifications of 1600 kVA, 24 kV/400-230V, 50
Hz, 3 Phases. The position of AE sensor installation
referred to IEEE Std C57.127-2007 [9]. Figure 27. The position of AE sensor and HFCT
after repositioning

Figure 28. The result of measured signals of PD

Figure 25. The position of AE and HFCT on (AE sensors and HFCT repositioned)
Dry Type Transformer

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From Figure 28, after the AE sensors were installed

along the X axis, it could once again be confirmed that
the PD occurred at the location of AE sensor 2. To make
another reconfirmation, all the AE sensors were
repositioned along Y axis (vertical) while the HFCT
remained at the same position as shown in Figure 29.

Figure 32. The result of measured signal of PD

(after AE sensors and HFCT repositioned)

From Figure 32, shows that the AE sensors and HFCT

sensor were able to detect and locate the PD at the
position of the top and middle of side 3. The positions
Figure 29. The position of AE sensor and HFCT of the AE sensors are shown in Figure 31.
after repositioning
IX. Conclusion
From the measurement of partial discharge in
oil immersed transformer and dry type transformer
with on-line monitoring methodology using the PD-
TP500A in conjunction with acoustic emission (AE)
sensors (reference to IEEE Std. C57.127-2007) and a
clamp-on type high frequency current transducer
(HFCT) to detect and locate PD, it could be
summarized as follow.
9.2 The equipments used for PD measurement,
which are the PD-TP500A, AE sensors and HFCT,
can be installed at the equipment being measured
while it is running, no need to shut down the
Figure 30. The result of measured signal of PD equipment and the power system.
(after AE sensors and HFCT repositioned) 9.3 This set of equipments is able to detect and
analyze the problems occurring inside the transformer
From Figure 30, after the AE sensors were installed in the early state and inform how severe the problem
along the Y axis, it could once again be confirmed is. More importantly, it is able to indicate whether the
that the PD occurred at the location of AE sensor 2. problem is caused by partial discharge, mechanical
To make another reconfirmation, all the AE sensors problems, arcing or loose part inside the transformer.
were moved to the position of the top and middle of 9.4 This method of partial discharge diagnosis is
side 3 while the HFCT remained at the same position. able to detect and correctly locate the partial discharge
occurring inside the transformer which helps the
transformer maintenance to be carried out effectively
and then prevents the complete breakdown of the
transformer which eventually reduces the cost
occurring from repairing severely damaged
transforme.

X. Acknowledgments
I would like to express my sincere thanks to
my thesis advisor, Asst. Prof. Dr.Winai Plueksawan
for her invaluable help and constant encouragement
throughout the course of this research. Finally, I most
gratefully acknowledge my parents and my friends for
all their support throughout the period of this
Figure 31. The position of AE sensor and HFCT on research.
transformer (After knowing the source of the signal)

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