［ Verification and Diagnostic Technologies ］

Detection and Localization of Kiyoshi Wakimoto,

Keiichiro Matsushita

Partial Discharges (PD) by

Transient Earth Voltage (TEV )
Method
Keywords Transformer, Partial discharge, Transient earth voltage, On-line monitoring, Insulation diagnosis, Electrostatic discharge

Partial Discharge (PD) is a test item for diagnosis of insulation deterioration

Abstract caused in electric power facilities. We developed a PD detector using the
Transient Earth Voltage (TEV) method, which has been attracting increased
attention, as it can be retrofitted to the tank wall of a power transformer. Using
this device, we conducted a PD test on a basic model of a transformer and
detected a PD signal in the oil of several hundred pC. In addition, a single pulse
was generated using an Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) gun, and the propagation
path of the TEV signal flowing on the wall of the tank was confirmed by experi-
ments. As a result, we established the basic technology for determining the
localization of a PD source.

to measure UV rays, ultrasonic waves, electro-

1 Preface
magnetic waves, high-frequency current of the
In recent years, as many electric power facili- ground wire, and Transient Earth Voltage (TEV) of
ties including power transformers are facing the the tank wall surface associated with PD. Each
challenges of aging, there is a rise in momentum method has its own strengths and weaknesses, and
among the end-users to properly determine renewal the optimum method is selected or used in combi-
times by considering the balance between mainte- nation according to the equipment observed and its
nance cost and the risk of not being able to provide installation status. In the actual field, however, it is
a stable supply of power. difficult to pick up a feeble PD signal under a noisy
Condition Based Maintenance (CBM), there- environment. There are many cases where it is nec-
fore, becomes important. essary to stop equipment to install a sensor, or a
The markets demand assistive technology to measuring device is too expensive or too large. PD
enable the customers to assess the necessity of life measurement is currently performed only at limited
extension or renewal by judging the soundness and periodic inspection times.
the presence or absence of deterioration (trend) In recent years, the TEV method, which can be
from the CBM diagnosis result. From a technical retrofitted to the tank wall of an aging transformer (it
point of view, it has become necessary to explore is not necessary to stop the equipment to install the
renewal options together with customers. sensor and is more resistant to mechanical vibra-
Partial Discharge (PD) diagnosis is used for tion noise than the AE (Acoustic Emission) method),
the evaluation of insulation deterioration. It is one of has attracted attention (1) - (6).
diagnostics used to examine causes in electric This paper introduces the features of the newly
power facilities. developed PD detector equipped with the TEV sen-
To maintain the reliability of aging equipment, it sor together with the result of in-oil PD detection at
is a critical issue to continuously monitor and detect a level of hundreds of pC obtained from an element
the precursor phenomenon (sign) of dielectric model of a power transformer. In addition, we will
breakdown with high sensitivity. One of the precur- introduce the results of experimental confirmation of
sors of this dielectric breakdown is PD. the propagation path of the TEV signal by gener-
Various detection methods are, therefore, used ating a single pulse using an Electrostatic Discharge

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 (a) Model of foreign substance on wire surface

(b) Turn-to-turn model

Fig. 1 Experimental Models

Two models of (a) model of foreign substance on wire surface
and (b) turn-to-turn model are shown.
Fig. 2 Experimental Equipment
Experimental equipment for in-oil partial discharge detection on
(ESD) gun, and introduce the basic technology a transformer element model is shown.
established for the determination of the localization
of the PD source.
－40

2 Experiments for In-Oil PD Detection

Level (dBm)

－50

with Transformer Element Model －60

－70
Using the developed PD detector and a TEV
sensor, we implemented a series of experiments on －80
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
a transformer element model to detect an in-oil PD. Time (ms)
Fig. 1 shows the experimental models. We used two (a) Result of measurement by PD detector
types of models: (a) a model of foreign substance on
a wire surface where a copper wire is wound around
a paper-insulated flat type rectangular conductor and
(b) a turn-to-turn model where two paper-insulated
flat type rectangular conductors are opposed to each
other. An AC voltage was applied to these models to
generate a PD within a tank filled with an insulation
oil. At that time, a coupling capacitor was connected
to the voltage-applied terminal and the amount of
electric charges caused by a discharge was meas- (b) Amount of electric charge caused by discharge
ured. Fig. 2 shows the experimental equipment.
As a result of the measurement, we confirmed Fig. 3 Result of Experiments
that about 200pC of electric charges due to the PD Partial discharges were detected at the charge amount of
was measured in both cases of a model of foreign approximately 200 pC. Two cases of measuring results are
shown for (a) a result of measurement by PD detector and (b) an
substance on wire surface and a turn-to-turn model. amount of electric charge caused by discharge measured with a
Fig. 3 shows a result of experiments. coupling capacitor.
Using the developed PD detector and TEV
sensor, we were able to detect in-oil PD several
3 Experiments to Determine
hundred pC in the transformer element model and
Localization of PD with ESD Gun
confirm its usefulness. In this way, this method can
be applied to PD detection (sign monitoring) of An ESD gun was employed to examine a TEV
oil-immersed transformers. signal propagation path in an empty tank where no

08 MEIDEN REVIEW Series No.186 2022 No.3

insulation oil is contained. Fig. 4 shows the experi- Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 show examples of TEV signal
mental equipment. When a single pulse was gener- waveforms under Condition 1 and Condition 3.
ated with an ESD gun, an in-air PD was generated Diagram (a) shows entire waveforms and Diagram
at the ignition checker (needle-to-needle electrode) (b) shows enlarged diagrams where a part of the
in the tank. When electric waves were radiated from second wave in-air discharge for (a) is enlarged. In
this device, they propagated in the air within the (a), it is considered that the first wave was attribut-
tank and arrive at the tank wall, thus inducing a tran- able to a signal from the ESD gun or the main body
sient voltage, which was then propagated on the of the electrostatic tester and that the second wave
tank surface. This signal was detected by multiple was caused by in-air discharges. In (b) of Fig. 5 and
TEV sensors distributed over the tank wall. The Fig. 6, the intensity of signals propagating to tank s
detected signal was recorded by an oscilloscope external wall surface was reduced to approximately
(MSO70404C). 1/10 compared with inner signals. Table 2 shows
Table 1 shows the test conditions. We con- signal propagation paths from the discharge source
firmed the propagation paths against six conditions. and the TEV sensor under the respective condi-
For Condition 2, the ESD gun was directly aimed at tions, plus expected values and measured values of
the tank s inner wall surface to pick up a TEV signal. time. The propagation path for each expected value
For Condition 5, a cover was mounted on the tank to was determined as the shortest distance for the sig-
confirm the effect of presence of a tank hole. The nal required to get to the sensor along the tank wall
sensor positions under the respective conditions after the arrival at the tank wall. The expected value
are indicated in Fig. 7 to be related later. of time was calculated on the assumption that the

Oscilloscope
MSO70404C Table 1 Test Conditions
Tank 4 GHz, 25 GS/s
Shield
(Aluminum) 10 m
The six conditions for propagation path localization are shown.
ESD gun Coaxial Condition Detailed facts
cable
Ignition checker
Condition 1 Confirmation of the TEV signal propagation path on
the inside of the tank
940kΩ TEV
VHF Condition 2 Confirmation of the propagation velocity of the wall
antenna surface current
Condition 3 Confirmation of the TEV signal propagation path on
Electrostatic the tank outside
Earthing tester main body
Condition 4 Confirmation of the TEV signal propagation path on
the tank inside and outside
Fig. 4 Experimental Equipment Condition 5 Confirmation of the TEV signal propagation path in
consideration of presence of a tank hole
Experimental equipment for partial discharge localization by
Condition 6 Confirmation of the determination of the localization
using an ESD gun is shown.

TEV1 TEV2 TEV3 TEV4 TEV1 TEV2 TEV3 TEV4

1.5 0.8
TEV1 0.89
Second wave: 0.84
1 in-air discharges 0.6
TEV sensor (V)

TEV sensor (V)

0.31
0.5 0.4

0 0.2

－0.5 0
First wave:
ESD gun
－1 －0.2
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Time (μs) Time (ns)

(a) Entire waveform (b) Enlarged diagram

Fig. 5 Example of TEV Signal Waveform (Condition 1)

The diagrams show (a) the entire waveform and (b) the enlarged diagram. It is considered that the first wave is caused by the ESD gun
or the electrostatic tester main body, and that the second wave is attributable to in-air discharges.

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 TEV1 TEV2 TEV3 TEV4 TEV1 TEV2 TEV3 TEV4
1.5 0.08
－0.31 TEV1
1 Second wave: 0.04 －0.5
in-air discharges
－0.38
TEV sensor (V)

TEV sensor (V)

0.5 0

0 －0.04

－0.5 －0.08
First wave:
ESD gun
－1 －0.12
1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Time (μs) Time (ns)

(a) Entire waveform (b) Enlarged diagram

Fig. 6 Example of TEV Signal Waveform (Condition 3)

The diagrams show (a) the entire waveform and (b) the enlarged diagram. Compared with inner signals, the intensity of a signal propa-
gating on tank s outside is approximately 1/10.

Table 2 Result of Experiments

The table shows both expected and measured values of propagation path and time from the discharge source to the TEV sensor under
each condition.

Expected values Measured values

Propagation
Propaga- velocity Arrival of electro- Difference from Difference from
Condition Sensor type tion path magnetic waves criterion criterion

(m/ns) Distance Time Distance Time Time Error

(mm) (ns) (mm) (ns) (ns) (mm)
Condition 1 TEV1 (Criterion) ① 0.3 474 1.42 − − − −
TEV2 ② 0.3 726 2.18 252 0.76 0.84 28
TEV3 ③ 0.3 570 1.71 96 0.29 0.31 8
TEV4 ④ 0.3 726 2.18 252 0.76 0.89 45
Condition 2 TEV1 ① 0.3 731 2.19 701 2.1 2.19 30
TEV2 ② 0.3 720 2.16 690 2.07 1.92 −50
TEV3 ③ 0.3 731 2.19 701 2.1 2.19 30
TEV4 (Criterion) ④ 0.3 30 0.09 − − − −
Condition 3 TEV1 (Criterion) ① 0.3 1311 3.93 − − − −
TEV2 ② 0.3 1202 3.6 −109 −0.33 −0.38 −18
TEV3 ③ 0.3 1111 3.33 −200 −0.6 −0.5 33
TEV4 ④ 0.3 1202 3.6 −109 −0.33 −0.31 5
Condition 4 TEV1 (Criterion) ① 0.3 474 1.42 − − − −
TEV2 ② 0.3 654 1.96 179 0.54 0.52 −6
TEV3 ③ 0.3 736 2.21 915 2.74 2.88 46
Condition 5 TEV1 (Criterion) ① 0.3 1337 4.01 − − − −
TEV2 ② 0.3 1851 5.55 514 1.54 1.51 −10
TEV3 ③ 0.3 1475 4.42 138 0.41 0.19 −75
TEV4 ④ 0.3 1365 4.09 28 0.08 −0.2 −95
Condition 6 TEV1 ① 0.3 503 1.51 −374 −1.12 −1.61 −163
TEV2 ② 0.3 727 2.18 −151 −0.45 −0.2 84
TEV3 ③ 0.3 619 1.86 −259 −0.78 −1.05 −92
TEV4 (Criterion) ④ 0.3 878 2.63 − − − −

propagation velocity, both in air and on the tank signal, we noted the peak value of the second wave
wall, was identical with the light velocity under the so that calculation is based on the time difference
vacuum. Regarding the time difference in the TEV between the TEV sensor defined as the criterion

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and other TEV sensors. According to Table 2, errors was identical with the light velocity under the vacuum.
seemed to be small, so we considered that the ( 3 ) Condition 3: Confirmation of the TEV signal
premise for the aforementioned calculation is ade- propagation path on the outside of the tank
quate. The six test conditions are as described Regarding the propagation path, the radiated
below. electromagnetic waves generated by discharges
( 1) Condition 1: Confirmation of the TEV signal were assumed to arrive at the tank s corner part and
propagation path on the inside of the tank then flow along the wall surface to get to the TEV
The TEV sensor installed inside the tank was sensor located on the outside of the tank.
assumed to define the shortest distance of a path to ( 4 ) Condition 4: Confirmation of the TEV signal
directly receive electromagnetic waves. propagation path on the inside and outside of the
( 2 ) Condition 2: Confirmation of the propagation tank
velocity of the wall surface current It was assumed that the TEV sensor on the
Propagation took place along the shortest path inside directly received electromagnetic waves
from the surface of the inside of the tank to the TEV along the shortest distance. The current arrived at
sensor located on the outside. It was assumed that the tank s corner part on the outside and then flows
the propagation velocity of the wall surface current on the wall surface to get to the sensor.

①～② ②～④
TEV2 ～ 4
TEV1 ～ 3 Discharge
②～④ gun TEV2 ～ 4
①
Discharge Discharge
TEV4 TEV1
①
TEV1

TEV4 TEV3 TEV2

TEV3
TEV2

TEV1
TEV1 TEV3 TEV2 TEV4

TEV4 TEV1
Discharge
gun
(a) Condition 1 (b) Condition 2 (c) Condition 3

Discharge
④
TEV2 ②～④ TEV1
③ ①
TEV3 TEV2 ～ 4 ②
④
② ① ③
Discharge Discharge TEV2
① TEV1 TEV3
TEV1 TEV4
Peep hole

Discharge (H ＝ 1125) TEV1 (H ＝ 900)

TEV3

TEV2
TEV2 TEV2 TEV4
TEV4 (H ＝ 800) TEV3 (H ＝ 550)
TEV3 (H ＝ 700)
TEV1 TEV1

(d) Condition 4 (e) Condition 5 ( f ) Condition 6

Fig. 7 TEV Signal Propagation Paths

Diagrams (a) to ( f ) show the respective TEV signal propagation paths under Conditions 1 to 6. It is presumed that the signal runs along
the shortest distance to the TEV sensor located on the inside of the tank while the signal on the outside of the tank runs along the wall
surface to the sensor after arriving at the tank s corner part or the tank hole.

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 ( 5 ) Condition 5: Confirmation of the TEV signal Z
Y X
propagation path in consideration of presence of a
tank hole 3000

The radiated electromagnetic waves generated 2500

by discharges were assumed to arrive at the tank
2000
hole and the current then flowed on the wall surface
until it got to the TEV sensor located on the outside 1500

of the tank. Such a propagation path suggests that 1000

it is important to install an externally attachable TEV
500
sensor in the vicinity of the tank hole where electro-
magnetic waves may easily leak out. 0 4000
1500 3000
( 6 ) Condition 6: Confirmation of the determination 1000 2000
500 1000
of the localization 0 0
Like Condition 1, the TEV sensor installed inside
the tank wall was assumed to provide for a path Results on Determination of Localization of
Fig. 8
through which electromagnetic waves could be PD on Transformer

received directly along the shortest distance. A result of the determination of the localization of PD at the upper
part of windings was obtained. (Multiple optional points were
Fig. 7 shows the TEV signal propagation paths plotted and a path from a typical point to the target sensor was
under the respective conditions all together. The displayed.) This result closely matches that of localization stated
in literatures by Judd, et al. (2011 & 2017) (3)(4).
TEV sensors installed inside the tank were pre-
sumed to provide for the respective paths through
which waves propagated along the shortest dis-
tance and arrive at the tank s corner part or the tank directly through space and low-frequency compo-
hole. The current then flowed along the wall surface nents that are detected via the ground wire (2). The
and arrived at the sensor. target of the PD detector is mainly the latter, but it is
Based on the TEV signal arrival time difference necessary to target the former to determine the
in 4 cases of Condition 6 in Table 1, we carried out localization of the discharge source from the differ-
the determination of the localization of the discharge ence in arrival time of multiple TEV signals. Also, we
source. Regarding this localization, the result of need to consider the propagation path outside the
localization was (x: 700 mm, y: 541 mm, z: 1036 mm) tank.
against the expected values (x: 650 mm, y: 450 mm,
z: 1125 mm). The results indicate that the localiza-
4 Postscript
tion accuracy was favorable.
In addition, we performed the determination of We developed a PD detector by using the TEV
the localization on a model that is similar to an actu- sensors. Based on experiments of in-oil PD detec-
al transformer, in consideration of allocation of the tion on a transformer element model and those of
core and coils and in reference to literatures by PD localization with a help of an ESD gun, the fol-
Judd, et al., (2011 & 2017) (3)(4). Fig. 8 shows the lowing results were derived:
results on determination of localization of PD on a ( 1) Using a newly developed PD detector, hun-
transformer. The result indicates that the localiza- dreds of pC of in-oil PD were detected in a trans-
tion determination was made at the upper section of former element model.
the windings. Specifically, multiple optional points ( 2 ) A single pulse was generated by using an ESD
were plotted and a path from a typical point to the gun and the propagation path for TEV signals was
target sensor was displayed. This result closely confirmed by experiments. As a result, the basic
matches that of the localization stated in literatures technology for the determination of the localization
by Judd, et al., (2011 & 2017) (3)(4). of PD generation source was established.
We were, therefore, able to confirm the propa- ( 3 ) Based on the difference in TEV signal arrival
gation paths of the TEV signal by experiment and time, the determination of the localization of signal
establish the basic technology for the determination sources was carried out. The localization accuracy
of the localization the PD source. TEV signals in- was found favorable.
clude high-frequency components that are detected In the future, we intend to utilize the TEV method

12 MEIDEN REVIEW Series No.186 2022 No.3

for equipment maintenance, especially as one of Partial Discharge Signal Measured with Transient Earth Voltage
Method , Journal A of The Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan
the sophistications of live-line PD diagnostic tech- (IEEJ), Vol.139/No.3, 2019.3, pp.154-160 (in Japanese)
nology and the enhancement of the service menu ( 3 ) M.D.Judd: Experience with UHF partial discharge detection and
line-ups among the various diagnostic menus in the location in power transformers , IEEE EIC 2011, 2011.6, pp.201-205
(2011-6)
CBM.
( 4 ) Partial Discharges in Transformers , CIGRE WG D1.29, TB676,
2017.2, pp.148-149
・All product and company names mentioned in this paper are ( 5 ) Investigating R&D Transformer Committee: Recent Trend of
the trademarks and/or service marks of their respective owners. Electrical and Acoustic Abnormality Diagnostic Technology for Oil-
immersed Transformers , IEEJ Technical Report, No.1336, 2015.3
(in Japanese)
《References》
( 6 ) Wakimoto, Matsushita, Shigemori, Heima, Fujita, Kobayashi,

( 1 ) Hikita: Recent Research Trends for Insulation Deterioration Noda: Partial Discharge Detection and Localization in Transformers
using Transient Earth Voltage Method , The Papers of Technical
Diagnosis , Electrical Review, September 2020, pp.27-35 (in Japanese)
( 2 ) Yoshizumi, Kozako, Hikita, Fujii, Nakamura, Cho: Investigation Meeting on Static Apparatus, IEE Japan, SA-20-099, 2020.12 (in
Japanese)
on Propagation Mechanism of Low Frequency Component of

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