About the Feasibility and Performances of Automatic DC PD Sources Discrimination

Tests and monitoring of Partial Discharge (PD) phenomena are established and reliable methods for evaluating the health of key High Voltage AC grid components, including generators, transformers, cables, and Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS). However, in the context of DC transmission, the measurements and interpretation of these phenomena are still lacking and hardly applicable for reliable insulation systems assessments, especially in field conditions. This paper aims to confirm the capability of performing DC PD tests in a controlled laboratory environment and to assess the feasibility and the performances of DC PD source recognition through automatic elaboration algorithms. PD signals have been generated through artificial defects created to simulate and mimic the most common PD sources found in real HV assets - i.e. surface, internal, and corona. Time-Resolved PD (TRPD) patterns and signal waveforms of various PD defects will be reported to highlight peculiarities and characteristics that may be used to automatically identify the different PD sources.