By sion932 
In the operation of the power system, the stability and safety of equipment are of paramount importance. Have you ever thought that a tiny “spark” – partial discharge – may be quietly occurring inside those seemingly calm electrical equipment? It is like an invisible ‘killer’ that, over time, may cause serious equipment damage and even lead to a complete power outage. How can we ‘see through’ these invisible dangers? Today, let’s talk about the key “detective” of the “partial discharge tester“.
What is partial discharge?
Simply put, partial discharge refers to the discharge phenomenon that occurs in a certain local area of the insulation medium of power equipment, while the rest of the insulation medium has not been completely penetrated. Imagine that at the joint of a high-voltage cable or the insulation material inside a transformer, if there are small air gaps, impurities, or defects, these areas may not be able to withstand the voltage rise and experience brief, localized discharges. Although these discharges are weak, they can generate electrical pulses, sound waves, light radiation, and even chemical substances. Over time, they accumulate and gradually damage the insulation performance, ultimately leading to equipment failure.
Factors affecting partial discharge
Defects in insulation materials, such as bubbles, cracks, impurities, etc., can reduce insulation strength.
Uneven distribution of electric field: Unreasonable equipment design or improper installation may lead to excessive local electric field.
Environmental factors such as humidity, temperature, dust, etc. may also affect insulation performance.
Equipment aging: As the service life increases, the performance of insulation materials will naturally deteriorate.
Farewell to “Electric Spark” Tool: Partial Discharge Tester
With the ‘partial discharge tester’, we can accurately ‘scan’ whether there is partial discharge inside the device, just like doctors do CT scans for patients. These instruments receive various signals generated by partial discharge, such as electrical pulses and sound waves, and analyze them professionally to determine the type, intensity, location, and insulation status of the discharge.
HVHIPOT, as a leader in the industry, has profound technical accumulation and rich practical experience in the field of partial discharge detection. The partial discharge detection equipment they developed can provide accurate and reliable “health check ups” for power equipment.
How does the partial discharge tester work?
Electric pulse method: detects the instantaneous current pulse generated during partial discharge.
Acoustic wave method: receiving ultrasonic signals generated by partial discharge.
Optical signal method: detects weak optical radiation generated by partial discharge.
Radio frequency interference method: measures the radio frequency electromagnetic waves generated by partial discharge.
By integrating multiple detection technologies, partial discharge testers can comprehensively and accurately evaluate the insulation condition of equipment.
How can we do better?
Regular testing: Include partial discharge measurements in the equipment’s regular maintenance plan.
Combining multiple methods: using partial discharge detection instruments with different principles to mutually verify and improve the accuracy of diagnosis.
Professional interpretation: Experienced technicians conduct in-depth analysis of the detection data.
Choose reliable suppliers, such as HVHIPOT They not only provide high-quality partial discharge testing equipment, but also professional technical support and services to ensure the effectiveness of testing.
By effectively monitoring partial discharge, we can detect and solve potential equipment hazards in advance, greatly improving the operational efficiency and safety of the power system, and avoiding unnecessary economic losses. HVHIPOT has always been committed to providing advanced high-voltage partial discharge detection solutions to help the safe and stable development of the power industry.
FAQ
Q: Why does my new power equipment also need to undergo partial discharge testing? A: During the manufacturing and transportation process, new equipment may still have minor manufacturing defects or damages, and partial discharge testing can ensure its reliability before leaving the factory.
Q: Does partial discharge testing have an impact on equipment? A: The high-quality partial discharge tester adopts non-invasive detection, which will not have any impact on the equipment itself.
Q: What do you think of the results of the partial discharge test? A: The test results are usually presented in the form of discharge capacity (pC), discharge frequency, discharge waveform, etc., and professionals will analyze these data based on them.
Q: Which devices are suitable for partial discharge testing? A: High voltage switchgear, transformers, cables, transformers and other electrical equipment with complex insulation structures are very suitable for partial discharge testing.
Q: What is the difference between “partial discharge” and “insulation breakdown”? A: Partial discharge is a precursor to insulation breakdown and occurs in a localized area of the insulating medium; And insulation breakdown refers to the breakdown of the entire part of the insulating medium, resulting in equipment short circuit or damage.