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Location of Partial Discharge Sources in Power Transformers Based on Advanced

Auscultatory Technique

Article in IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation · December 2012

DOI: 10.1109/TDEI.2012.6396952

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1948 W. Sikorski et al.: Location of Partial Discharge Sources in Power Transformers Based on Advanced Auscultatory Technique

Location of Partial Discharge Sources in Power

Transformers Based on Advanced Auscultatory Technique
Wojciech Sikorski, Krzysztof Siodla, Hubert Moranda
Poznan University of Technology
Institute of Electric Power Engineering
ul. Piotrowo 3A, 60-695 Poznan, Poland

and Waldemar Ziomek

CG Power Systems Canada Inc.
101 Rockman St, Winnipeg, MB R3T 0L7, Canada

ABSTRACT
In the paper a new partial discharge (PD) location technique based on acoustic emission
and conventional partial discharge detection method is presented. Synergetic
combination of two methods allows obtaining a high accuracy of the insulation fault
location and reducing the time of measurement procedure. Several cases of practical
application of the new technique for PD location in the power transformers tested in an
HV laboratory and in a substation are discussed.
Index Terms - Power transformers, partial discharges, acoustic emission, fault
location.

1 INTRODUCTION measurement procedure, (iii) the possibility of detection of the

multi-source discharges, the occurrence of which in old
PARTIAL discharge (PD) diagnostics is a proven method to transformers with aged insulation system is very probable [10-13].
assess the condition of a power transformer. Too high a level of
PD in a transformer may quickly degrade its insulation system Unfortunately, while employing the SAT method, very
and lead to damage. If PDs are detected and located quickly, then often one may expect errors in location of PD sources. This is
the transformer may be repaired or replaced, thus preventing because the amplitude of AE signal depends not only on the
power outages [1, 2]. distance of a piezoelectric sensor from the discharge source
Partial discharges in power transformers in service are most (which is the basis of this measuring technique), but also
often detected with DGA (Dissolved Gas Analysis) and depends on the energy fluctuations of the partial discharges.
afterwards located using acoustic emission method (AE) [3-5]. Therefore satisfactory accuracy in the PD location with the
Widely applied techniques for the fault location based on AE SAT technique can be obtained only when discharges are
method are: (i) measurement of the time difference of arrival stable (not self-extinguishing) and their energy does not
(TDOA) of the acoustic signals, (ii) measurement of the change in time for the duration of the measurement. But taking
amplitude of the acoustic signal in different areas of a transformer into consideration that PD is a non-linear, dynamic
tank (standard auscultatory technique, SAT), (iii) estimation of phenomenon and has strongly stochastic character, this ideal
the direction of arrival (DOA) of the acoustic signal based on the situation is not very probable during the lengthy
phased-array signal processing [6-9] measurements performed on a real high voltage power
Standard auscultatory technique is one of the simplest transformer. The influence of small fluctuations of the PD
methods of PD location. It involves the AE amplitude energy on accuracy of discharges location with the use of
measurement in different areas of a transformer tank and standard auscultatory technique can easily be mitigated when
thereby in different distance from the PD source. The SAT one may determine the value of simple moving average
allows finding an area on a tank, in which the pulses of the (SMA) of the registered AE pulses’ energy, e, and monitor
highest amplitude/energy are recorded. One may assume that the value of their standard deviation, σ. In case of fluctuations
in this location under the surface of the tank, some depth in the of the PD pulses’ energy (e.g. their apparent charge q changes
object, the source of partial discharges’ source is located. in a wide range, from hundreds pC to some nC), the procedure
of AE-pulses energy averaging, does not give satisfactory
The main advantages of the method are: (i) the possibility to
results. The largest errors of the PD source location while
carry out the measurements with one sensor, (ii) straightforward
employing the SAT method occur when the partial discharge
activity is not-stable and after the period of high intensity we
Manuscript received on 19 January 2012, in final form 8 July 2012. observe their extinction for a certain time.

1070-9878/12/$25.00 © 2012 IEEE

IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation Vol. 19, No. 6; December 2012 1949

In order to improve the efficiency and reliability of Step 12. On the base of the Pnorm and the bilinear
auscultatory technique, the authors propose to simultaneously interpolation function generate a high resolution intensity
monitor in each measuring point on the surface of a graph (called Acoustic Emission Map).
transformer tank the simple moving average of: (i) AE Step 13. Superimpose the Acoustic Emission Map image
waveforms energy, SMA(e), and (ii) the PD apparent charge, on the photograph or construction drawing of the
SMA(q). Additionally, the parameter p is introduced that is investigated transformer’s phase, to find on the tank the
equal to the quotient of the measured values SMA(e) end areas which are the closest to the PD source.
SMA(q). Due to this operation, the corrected value of the AE
pulses energy depends mostly on the acoustic waves’
attenuation effect, and so depends on the distance between a
piezoelectric sensor and the PD source. The influence of the
changes of PD energy on the result of the PD source location
is then negligible.
In further part of the paper a detailed algorithm of the
modernized, advanced auscultatory technique (AAT) is
presented.

2 ADVANCED AUSCULTATORY
TECHNIQUE FOR PD LOCATION
The algorithm of the AAT method consists of the following Figure 1. Schematic diagram of AAT measurement procedure.
steps:
Step 1. Using the conventional electric method, identify the Because the Acoustic Emission Map shows the result of
transformer phase, in which the partial discharges occur. PD source location on the 2D plane, it is recommended, if
Step 2. On the transformer tank mark a grid of the measurement possible, to perform the additional measurements with the
points, consisting of m-rows and n-columns (see Figure 1). TDOA triangulation technique, by placing the AE sensors
Step 3. For the given measurement point a(i,j), where on the tank wall close to the area of highest p values
i=1,…,m and j=1,…,n, simultaneously register r-values of localized with AAT.
partial discharge apparent charge q=(q1,q2,…,qr) and s AE- The most important modification, comparing to the
waveforms X=[x1,x2,…,xs]. SAT method, is application of the parameter p which, to a
Step 4. For the registered AE waveforms [x1,x2,…,xs] very significant degree, minimizes the negative influence
calculate their signal energy e=(e1,e2,..,es). of the temporal changes of PD energy on the defect
location results. This positive feature is illustrated by a
Step 5. For the registered values of the apparent charge
simulation shown in Figure 2. For convenience it was
(q1,q2,..,qr) and the calculated AE waveforms energy (e1,e2,..,es)
assumed that the defect is present in the ‘B’ phase of the
determine their simple moving average (SMA): SMA(q) and
transformer, and the AE pulses were registered only in 7
SMA(e).
measuring points. In the first case it was assumed that the
Step 6. Calculate standard deviation σ of SMA(e). partial discharges are stable and their energy does not
Step 7. If σ ≤ 0.1 stop the acquisition, else repeat steps 3 change in time for the duration of the measurements. Of
through 6. course, with such an idealistic and almost unrealistic
Step 8. Calculate the value of parameter p, which takes into assumption, both techniques achieve identical and correct
account the influence of PD energy fluctuations on the energy result of the defect location (Figure 2a). As for the second
of registered AE pulses in time for the duration of the analyzed case, when energy of PD varies (fluctuate)
measurements. during the acoustic emission signals’ measurements, only
the AAT technique allows to obtain the proper location of
SMA( e ) the defect (Figure 2b).
p (1)
SMA( q ) The on-site PD measurement using a standard IEC-
Step 9. Repeat steps 3 through 8 for all measurement points. 60270 PD detector is complicated, therefore the new AAT
Step 10. Create matrix P=[pi,j]. method is intended mainly for the transformer
manufacturing plants and the repair companies. However,
Step 11. Create matrix Pnorm=[pnormi,j], which constitutes modern PD-detectors with the integrated noise-gating
normalized values of matrix P in the range [0;1]: channel for noise-suppression via an external antenna and
the software for noise reduction and filtering, may also
( pi , j  pmin )
pnorm  (2) expand the AAT usage to transformers installed at
i, j
( pmax  pmin ) substation [14].
1950 W. Sikorski et al.: Location of Partial Discharge Sources in Power Transformers Based on Advanced Auscultatory Technique

(a) (b)

Figure 3. The investigated mobile transformer: a) the LV series-parallel

switch visible in front (three-phase switch), b) the HV series-parallel switch
(with two poles per phase) in front of the winding assemblies.

Table 1. Rated data of the mobile transformer under investigation.

Figure 2. The diagram illustrating the result of PD location employing the Rated voltage 132 x 66 – 25Y x 12.5Y [kV]
parameter SMA(e) (standard auscultatory technique) and parameter p BIL 550 x 350-150 x 125 [kV LI]
(advanced auscultatory technique) in case when the apparent charge of
Power rating 18 MVA
partial discharges is: a) stable, and b) varying in time during the
Cooling method ODAF
measurement.
Temperature rises oil: 65oC; windings: average 75oC/
hotspot 80oC
Due to a low sensitivity of the PD detection procedure Power frequency 60 Hz
using acoustic emission method, the AAT method is the best DETC +/- 10% HV
for location of the defects that are the source of discharges
with high energy (e.g. surface and creeping discharges, The unit was subjected to the standard dielectric testing
sparks), or defects that are close to a transformer tank (e.g. according to CSA Standard C88-M90: Power Transformers
discharges in bushing and near the winding at the bushing and Reactors. The dielectric tests included: (i) the lightning
connection, on the surface of outer pressboard barriers and impulse test at both series and parallel connections, (ii) the
spacers, etc.). Unfortunately, location of the internal PD applied voltage test, (iii) two induced voltage tests with
sources (e.g. within the winding), is very difficult or even simultaneous measurement of the partial discharge level at a
impossible. This is true not only with the use of AAT parallel connection of HV (voltage to ground: 71.3 kV for
method, but with any other technique that is based on 7200 cycles and 62.9 kV for 1 hour) and at a series connection
(HV voltage to ground: 142.5 kV for 7200 cycles and 125.7
acoustic emission.
kV for 1 hour). The transformer experienced partial discharge
Additionally it should be stressed, that complex and non- problems during the induced voltage test in the series
homogeneous internal construction of the transformer connection. The PD level (the apparent charge value) during
(pressboard barriers, supporting beams made of wood or the test in a series connection (i.e. with a nominal voltage
phenolic resin etc.) and transformer tank (corrugated walls, Un=66 kV) at terminal H1 was high at 60% of Un already
magnetic or non-magnetic shields, stiffeners, gussets or ribs reaching 800-1000 pC, while phases 2 and 3 were showing
reinforcing the mechanical strength, welds etc.) impedes a low levels, below 500 pC at 150% of Un. It created
proper interpretation of the AAT results because it causes a opportunity to employ the AE measurements for location and
strong suppression of the acoustic signal recognition of PD source. The investigative tests were
performed with four combinations of HV and LV connections:
3 EXAMPLES OF PARTIAL DISCHARGE (i) HV in series, LV in parallel, (ii) HV in series, LV in series,
(iii) HV in parallel, LV in series, (iv) HV in parallel, LV in
LOCALIZATION USING ADVANCED parallel. Every time the HV side was in a series connection,
AUSCULTATORY TECHNIQUE the PD level was elevated at the terminal HV 1.
In this part of the paper three examples of effective
detection and location of partial discharge sources in a power
transformer are presented. For this purpose the advanced
auscultatory technique is used.

3.1 CASE STUDY 1 – LOCATION OF PD IN A NEW

MOBILE TRANSFORMER IN THE TEST BAY
A mobile transformer designed to operate with two
reconnectable voltages on the delta-connected HV side and
two voltages on the star-connected LV side (see Table 1 for
the rated data) was built with series-parallel (S/P) switches
(Figure 3). Figure 4. Typical PD pattern registered at terminal HV 1.
IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation Vol. 19, No. 6; December 2012 1951

The electric PD patterns (Figure 4) with maximum value of found on its pressboard support. The pressboard support was
PD pulses appearing close to the maximum of the voltage sine subjected to X-rays and a metallic contaminant was found,
wave were implying the location of a PD source close to the buried at the edge of the board where PD tracking was
HV 1 line, HV 1 terminal, or metal parts of HV 1 circuit, originating from (Figure 8).
physically in proximity of a two-pole series-parallel switch on
phase HV 1 (Figure 5). (a)

(b)

Figure 5. Approximate location of PD source at the S/P switch on

phase HV 1.

Measurements with the acoustic emission method were

conducted next, which proved the existence of one source of
discharges (Figure 6). Disassembly of the transformer resulted
in finding two possible PD sources: (i) a shaft of the HV
DETC switch (laminated phenolic resin tube) had
delamination with internal PD traces (Figure 7a), (ii) there
were tracking traces along the edge of a supporting beam
(phenolic resin board) of HV S/P switch (Figure 7b and 7c).
(c)

Figure 7. (a) Shaft of DETC switch and (b) supporting beam of S/P switch
with visible PD traces, (c) drawing of HV S/P switch with marked PD site.

Figure 6. The result of partial discharge source location with advanced

auscultatory technique (one source close to point #5) and example of AE
waveforms recorded in 8 locations on the transformer tank.

For both cases of identified PD sources, the electric field

analysis was performed at the DETC and S/P switches. The
electric stress at the switches was low, the insulation parts
passed both creep and strike criteria: the field intensity was
not high enough for PD inception. Also, the point stresses
were found to be low, within acceptable limits: Emax=7.26
kV/mm for a DETC switch and Emax=5.05 kV/mm for a S/P
switch. Both values were calculated at 150% Un, while the PD
problem was already active at the voltage as low as 60% of
Un. It indicated that the design is correct and the problem may
be related to a material defect, or imperfection. Therefore, the Figure 8. The location of embedded metal particle under the surface of
S/P switch was disassembled and the tracking traces were pressboard beam (the PD tracking originated from this area).
1952 W. Sikorski et al.: Location of Partial Discharge Sources in Power Transformers Based on Advanced Auscultatory Technique

Based on the test results and physical evidence, the of this technique, Acoustic Emission Map was prepared taking
following scenario for the PD problem was determined: (i) in into consideration the measured apparent charge values
a series connection a high electric stress was developed at the contained in the range of 1200-4450 pC (see Figure 9).
S/P switch – between the pressboard support and the tank; (ii)
this electric stress led to initiation of PD at the edge of
metallic contaminant embedded in the board; (iii) next, the
surface discharge developed along the edge of pressboard
beam; (iv) the progressing surface discharges resulted in
degradation of dielectric properties of mineral oil, giving rise
to PD in adjacent insulating elements of the S/P switch as well
as the DETC switch.

3.2 CASE STUDY 2 – LOCATION OF PD IN

REPAIRED TRANSFORMER IN HV LABORATORY
Detection and location of the PD sources was carried out in
power transformer TR 16000/110 produced in 1972, having
the parameters shown in Table 2.
Figure 9. The result of PD detection with the use of conventional electrical
Table 2. Main parameters of investigated transformer. method during long-duration induced AC voltage test for HV 1 phase of the
investigated power transformer.
Type TR 16000/110
Rated voltage 115/22 kV
Power rating 16 000 kVA

Because of many years in service of this transformer, its

owner decided to carry out the general overhaul. The scope of
modernization works included, among others: manufacture of
a new set of windings, changing of the vector group of the
transformer from YNyn0 to YNd11, oil replacement,
installation of a new set of radiators (ONAN), replacement of
the on-load tap changer as well as the bushings on high
voltage side (110 kV). Figure 10. The phase resolved PD pattern obtained for investigated
transformer.
When the renovation works were completed, the
transformer was subjected to the long-duration voltage test
with induced AC voltage (ACLD), according to IEC 60076-3:
Power Transformers Part 3: Insulation Levels, Dielectric
Tests and External Clearances in Air. Each phase of the
transformer was investigated separately. During the induced
voltage test the windings were grounded through the neutral
terminal of a supply voltage source.
Partial discharge detection procedure was performed using
the conventional electrical method with a Doble-Lemke PD-
Smart measuring system, in accordance with IEC 60270. PD
detection in the investigated transformer was performed in the Figure 11. The phase resolved PD pattern of surface discharges.
factory high voltage laboratory, which was partially shielded.
It assured a low level of background discharge level – varying On the basis of Acoustic Emission Map image compared
from a few to about 10 pC. Figure 9 shows the results of PD with the picture and the drawing of the active part of the
detection with the use of conventional electrical method. investigated transformer, the hypothesis was proposed that the
During the long-duration induced AC voltage test, with the defect generating the partial discharges may be located in the
voltage equal to U  1,5U m 3 , discharge level in HV 1 phase lead insulation (near the winding at the bushing connection),
or in a supporting beam made of wood.
exceeded 500 pC (in the range 1200-4450 pC), therefore the
Examination of the transformer active part confirmed that
result of test was regarded as negative.
the defect was present in the insulating system. On the surface
Recognition of the PD type, based on a comparative of a supporting beam the erosion tracks were clearly visible, in
analysis of a measured phase resolved partial discharge form of charred paths caused by high-energy PDs (Figure 13).
(PRPD) pattern (Figure 10) with a database of typical Analysis of the electric field intensity distribution in this
oil/paper insulation defects patterns (Figure 11), revealed fragment of the insulating system revealed that the reason of
appearance of surface discharges in investigated transformer. PD generation was too low a distance between the lead
Figure 12 shows the results of PD source location in phase support and the winding. In comparison to the other
HV 1 with the use of AAT. According to the main assumptions transformer phases (HV 2 and HV 3) this distance was almost
IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation Vol. 19, No. 6; December 2012 1953

Figure 14. The results of PD apparent charge measurement in HV 1 phase of

investigated transformer (after defect removal).

3.3 CASE STUDY 3 – LOCATION OF PD IN

TRANSFORMER IN POWER SUBSTATION
Investigations were carried out in a power transformer
125000/220 produced in 1978 with the parameters shown in
Table 3.
Table 3. Main parameters of investigated transformer.
Figure 12. The results of PD source location with the use of advanced
auscultatory technique (Acoustic Emission Map applied on active part of Parameter Value
investigated HV 1 phase).
Type RTdxP 125000/220
Voltage 230/120/10.5 kV
(a) Power 160/160/50 MVA

The main reason for performing the partial discharge

investigation was a disturbing level of flammable gases in the
insulating oil, especially hydrogen. It was noticed just after a
flashover which occurred in 2002 in a distribution line that
caused a flow of the short-circuit current in the local power
(b) (c) system. In successive years the periodic diagnostic
measurements revealed a continuous increase of the amount of
gases dissolved in the oil. In 2008 a sudden increase of gases
in the oil was noticed. The amount of hydrogen exceeded a
level of 2000 ppm, and the breakdown voltage of oil decreased
to 18 kV, while the permissible value is not less than 50 kV
for this type of transformer.
Unfortunately, even after oil treatment process, continuous
increase of flammable gases in oil content was still observed.
In 2009 SFRA investigations were made, and the results
suggested that the axial displacement, as well as the radial
buckling of low voltage and compensating winding was
probable. In April 2011 the concentration of hydrogen
exceeded 2200 ppm (with permissible value 350 ppm), and
content of CO2 exceeded 3100 ppm, approaching the
Figure 13. Results of the transformer inner construction examination: permissible value equal to 4000 ppm.
supporting beam with erosion tracks caused by partial discharges activity (a),
construction scheme of HV phase 1 (b), picture of transformer active part (HV
In order to estimate the danger of a transformer failure, the
phase 1) with the fault location marked (c). owner decided to make additional measurements of PD using
the electrical method. For that reason, the 220/110 kV
two times shorter. In modernization work that was transmission overhead lines connected to this transformer had
subsequently done, the position of lead support was changed, to be temporarily switched off. It should be noted that due to
assuring proper distance. The transformer underwent the very intensive interference originating mainly from the corona
repeated induced voltage test. As it is shown in Figure 14, the on the transmission lines, it was not possible to detect the PD
continuous level of partial discharges did not exceed 500 pC with the use of a conventional electrical method according to
and showed no continuously rising tendency during the IEC 60270. However in this case, the substation was equipped
ACLD, therefore the transformer passed this test with a with one transformer only, so when the transformer and the
positive result. transmission lines were de-energized for the PD measurement
1954 W. Sikorski et al.: Location of Partial Discharge Sources in Power Transformers Based on Advanced Auscultatory Technique

system calibration, the interference did not exceed the level of The time of investigation was not limited, as well as it was
300 pC. Next, during the PD measurement procedure, when possible to carry out the continuous monitoring of the apparent
the transformer and the lines were switched on, the charge level so it was also possible to perform the PD location
interference level changed from 400 pC (110 kV side) to using both the AAT and the TDOA triangulation.
maximum 8 nC (220 kV side), depending on investigated In case of the AAT, in the first step the measurement points
phase and transformer load. Measurements with the electrical on the surface of transformer tank were chosen and marked.
method were done for all phases of the transformer (on 110 These points formed a measurement grid. In order to increase
kV and 220 kV side) using the measuring taps of the bushings. the reliability of measurements, and simplify the interpretation
The measurement procedure was repeated for each of obtained results, the fragments of tank walls with higher
transformer phase and consisted of: thickness were omitted (e.g. corrugated walls and welds). The
measurement grid consisted of 36 points, as it is shown in
1. Disconnection of transmission line and switching the
Figure 16.
transformer off,
2. Connection of the measuring impedance to the
measuring tap of a bushing,
3. Calibration of the measuring system with the use of a
standard PD calibrator,
4. Energization of the transformer and detection of the
partial discharges.

Table 4. Maximum value of PD apparent charge registered during test.

Transformer phase Apparent charge [nC]

HV 1 10
HV 2 17
HV 3 11
LV 1 N/A*
LV 2 1
LV 3 N/A*
* No PD activities or PD buried in background noise

The result of the PD measurements carried out with

conventional electrical method revealed the presence of strong Figure 16. The measurement grid (36 points) used for PD source location
discharges in HV phase 2 (Table 4). The maximum value of with advanced auscultatory technique.
apparent charge reached 17 nC (Figure 15), however the range
of a phase angle, in which the discharges appeared, was On the basis of results obtained with the use of AAT, the
o o Acoustic Emission Map was prepared and superimposed on a
mainly from 30 to 90 . In other phases of 220 kV side (HV 1
and HV 3) the PD pulses also were recorded, but their photograph of the transformer tank. Analysis of the Acoustic
apparent charge value did not exceed 10-11 nC. The range of Emission Map image showed that in the HV phase 2 two
phase angle was identical as in HV 2 phase. On the basis of sources of partial discharges were present (Figure 17).
the obtained results it was concluded that the signals observed
in phases HV 1 and HV 3 were the same as those coming from
the HV 2, but attenuated, indicating their origin as HV 2. In
the case of 110 kV side, only the low-energy signals were
registered with the apparent charge up to 1 nC, and in LV 2
phase only.

Figure 15. The results of PD apparent charge measurement in HV 2 phase of

investigated transformer.

On the basis of results obtained with the use of conventional Figure 17. The result of PD source location presented as an Acoustic
electrical method, it was decided that the procedure of PD Emission Map applied on the picture of the HV 2 phase of the investigated
source location should be restricted to HV phase 2 only. power transformer.
IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation Vol. 19, No. 6; December 2012 1955

When the acoustic emission measurements with the AAT 4 CONCLUSIONS

were finished, a procedure of the PD sources location was
The paper presents a detailed description and features of
initiated with the use of a triangulation technique. The AE
the advanced auscultatory technique (AAT), a new method
sensors were placed on the tank wall in the locations identified
for location of the partial discharge sources, as well as some
by the Acoustic Emission Map image analysis. Placing the
examples of its practical application. This technique
sensors in region of the strongest AE signals was done to
constitutes a synergistic combination of two diagnostic
increase the precision of XYZ coordinates’ estimation of the
methods: (i) the acoustic emission (AE) and (ii) the
PD source location using the triangulation method.
conventional electrical PD detection method according to
Analysis of the results of PD source location, obtained with IEC 60270. The presented research results proved numerous
the triangulation method showed that both sources of advantages of the AAT, among which the most important
discharges were placed near the symmetry axis of the HV are:
phase 2 bushing, near the transformer tank (Figure 18 and 19).
On the basis of the investigation results, a hypothesis was  reduction of influence of partial discharge energy
assumed that the partial discharges were generated inside the fluctuations on energy of registered AE pulses, which are
insulation of the winding leads or in the support beam that is the main reason of the PD source location errors with the
close to the transformer tank. Verification of this hypothesis standard auscultatory technique,
will be possible in the end of 2012, when internal inspection  clear and readable presentation of the fault location
and scrapping of the transformer is planned. results in form of a high-resolution intensity graph
(Acoustic Emission Map),
 the possibility of correlation between AE parameters and
apparent charge,
 uncomplicated and quick PD location technique,
particularly useful for transformer manufacturing plants
and the repair companies equipped with electrically
shielded HV laboratory.
It should be mentioned that one of the major
disadvantages of the auscultatory technique is that no
information about the distance from the tank wall to PD
source is available. However, the localization can be done by
the triangulation method as shown in Figure 18.

Figure 18. The result of the PD source location obtained with the use of
triangulation method presented in the XYZ coordinates system (the XZ plane REFERENCES
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2009. Poland. In 1987 he joined the Institute of Electrical
[10] W. Sikorski, H. Moranda, B. Brodka and R. Neumann, “Detection Power Engineering at Poznan University of
and Location of Partial Discharge Sources in Power Transformer”, Technology, Poznan, Poland as a Lecturer and
Electr. Rev., Vol. 11b, pp. 142-145, 2010. Researcher, and in 1992 was promoted to the position
[11] W. Sikorski, K. Siodła and P. Staniek, “On-line monitoring system of an Assistant Professor. He worked as a visiting
of partial discharges occurring in power transformer insulation researcher at Strathclyde University, Glasgow, UK
using acoustic emission method”, 15 th Int’l. Sympos. High Voltage (1993-94), University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany (1995), and University of
Engineering, Ljubljana, Slovenia, p. 282, 2007. Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba (1995-1997). He joined CG Power Systems
[12] W. Sikorski, K. Walczak, K. Siodla, M. Andrzejewski and W. Gil, Canada Inc (formerly Pauwels Canada) in Winnipeg, Canada as a transformer
“Online Condition Monitoring and Expert System for Power designer in 1997, was promoted in 1999 to Manager of Electrical Engineering.
Transformers”, Int’l. Advanced Research Workshop on Since 2003 he is an Engineering Manager. He is also an Adjunct Professor at
Transformers, Santiago de Compostela, Spain, pp. 433-438, 2010. Faculty of Computer and Electrical Engineering at the University of Manitoba,
[13] W. Ziomek, E. Kuffel, W. Sikorski, P. Staniek, K. Siodla, Winnipeg, Canada. He published over 50 papers, mainly on transformer
“Location and Recognition of Partial Discharge Sources in a insulation, vacuum insulating systems, gaseous dielectrics, and partial discharge
Power Transformer Using Advanced Acoustic Emission Method”, recognition methods. He is a member of IEEE Power Engineering Society,
Electr. Rev., Vol. 10, pp. 20-23, 2008. Transformers Committee, IEEE Standards Association, CSA and CIGRE.
[14] A. Kraetge, K. Rethmeier, M. Kruger and P. Winter,
“Synchronous multi-channel PD measurements and the benefits Krzysztof Siodla was born in Poznan, Poland. He
for PD analyses”, IEEE Power Energy Sc, (PES) Transmission and received the M.Sc. degree in electrical engineering in
Distribution Conferences and Exposition, pp. 1-6, 2010. 1980 and the Ph.D. degree in 1989 from Poznan
University of Technology, Poznan, Poland. In 2005 he
received the Doctor Habilitatus degree from this same
Wojciech Sikorski was born in Poland in 1977. In University. He is currently the head of the Division of
2001 he graduated from the Faculty of Electrical High Voltage and Electrotechnic Materials and vice-
Engineering of the Poznan University of director of the Institute of Electric Power Engineering at
Technology with the M.Sc. degree in high voltage Poznan University of Technology. Member of CIGRE
engineering and in 2005 with the Ph.D. degree in Study Committee D1 “Materials and Emerging Test
electrical engineering. He worked as a visiting Techniques”. Author and co-author of 4 technical books and about 140 papers.
researcher at the University of Stuttgart, Germany His main research interest is in high voltage engineering, HV measurement
(2003), University of Manitoba (postdoctoral technique, acoustic emission, insulating materials, electrical equipment.
fellowship), Winnipeg, Canada (2007) and CG
Power Systems Canada Inc. (2007). He Hubert Moranda was born in Poland in 1970. He
participated in a few international and national research projects received the M.Sc. degree in high voltage engineering
supported by the European Union and Polish Government. He published from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering of the
over 50 papers in journals and international conference proceedings, Poznan University of Technology in 1996, and the
mainly on measurement, diagnostics and on-line monitoring of power Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering in 2001. He
transformers with the use of acoustic emission (AE) method. He also participated in a few international and national research
carried out numerous technical expertise for electric power industry in the projects supported by the European Union and the
field of AE. Currently he specializes in development of AE signal source Polish Ministry of Science. His research is focused on
location techniques. He is an active member of the Polish Society for insulation diagnostics, especially partial discharges and
Theoretical and Applied Electrical Engineering. water problems in transformer oil-paper insulation.

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