Understanding Partial Discharge and Its Impact on Electrical Systems

Introduction

In the realm of electrical systems, ensuring reliability and safety is paramount. Partial discharge (PD) is a critical phenomenon that can significantly impact the performance and longevity of electrical insulation systems. For maintenance managers and electrical engineers, particularly those in the manufacturing, energy, and utilities sectors, understanding partial discharge is essential for minimizing unplanned downtime, ensuring compliance with safety regulations, and reducing maintenance costs. This comprehensive guide will explore the nature of partial discharge, its causes, impacts, detection methods, and mitigation strategies.

Introduction to Partial Discharge (PD)

Definition of Partial Discharge: Partial discharge is a localized dielectric breakdown of a small portion of a solid or liquid electrical insulation system under high voltage stress, which does not completely bridge the space between the electrodes. PD occurs when the electric field strength exceeds the dielectric strength of the insulation material, causing ionization of the air or gas within voids, cracks, or along the surface.

Types of Partial Discharge: Understanding the types of partial discharge helps in identifying and addressing specific issues within electrical systems. The primary types include:

• Internal Discharge:

  • Occurrence: Internal discharge happens within voids or cavities inside solid insulation materials. These voids can be the result of manufacturing defects or operational wear and tear.

  • Mechanism: When a high voltage is applied, the electric field across the void exceeds the breakdown strength of the gas or air within the void. This causes ionization, leading to a discharge. Over time, this discharge erodes the insulation material around the void, potentially leading to complete insulation failure.

  • Detection: Transient Earth Voltage (TEV) testing is effective for detecting internal partial discharge. TEV sensors pick up the electrical pulses emitted by internal discharges, providing valuable data on PD activity.

• Surface Discharge:

  • Occurrence: Surface discharge occurs along the surface of insulating materials, especially in the presence of contaminants like dust or moisture.

  • Mechanism: When high voltage is applied, contaminants can create a conductive path along the insulation surface. This results in localized breakdown and discharge. The discharge activity causes surface erosion and degradation of the insulation material.

  • Detection: Ultrasonic testing is particularly useful for detecting surface discharge. Surface discharges emit high-frequency sound waves that can be detected by ultrasonic sensors, enabling early identification of insulation issues.

• Corona Discharge:

  • Occurrence: Corona discharge occurs in gaseous environments around conductors, typically seen as a luminous glow, and is more prone to happen on conductors with sharp edges or corners.

  • Mechanism: When the electric field strength around a conductor exceeds the ionization potential of the surrounding gas (usually air), it causes ionization of the gas molecules. This ionization leads to a visible corona discharge, which can erode the conductor material over time and generate ozone and nitrogen oxides.

  • Detection: Corona discharge can be detected using both ultraviolet cameras, which visualize the light emitted, and ultrasonic testing, which detects the high-frequency sound waves emitted by the discharge.

Causes of Partial Discharge

Manufacturing Defects: Manufacturing defects in insulation materials are a common cause of partial discharge. These defects include voids or gaps that form during the production process. Such imperfections create weak points in the insulation where PD can initiate, potentially leading to insulation failure over time.

Operational Wear and Tear: Over time, insulation materials can deteriorate due to thermal, electrical, and mechanical stresses. Repeated heating and cooling cycles, high voltage stress, and physical vibration can cause cracks, delamination, and other forms of degradation that promote PD.

Environmental Factors: Environmental conditions significantly influence the integrity of insulation systems. Factors such as humidity, contamination, and chemical exposure can lower the dielectric strength of insulation materials, facilitating the initiation and propagation of partial discharge.

Human Error: Human error is another significant cause of partial discharge. Improper installation, handling, or maintenance of electrical equipment can introduce defects or stress points that lead to PD. Examples include incorrect insulation installation, inadequate connections, or physical damage during handling.

Impact of Partial Discharge on Electrical Systems

Insulation Degradation: Partial discharge leads to the progressive degradation of insulation materials. The continuous ionization and energy release during PD activity erode the insulation, eventually resulting in complete insulation failure. Additionally, in the presence of moisture, especially in high-humidity environments, PD activity can form ozone (O3) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). On the surface of organic insulators, nitric oxide (NO) can form nitric acid (HNO3), which is highly corrosive. Nitric acid causes electrolytic erosion and aging of the polymer surface by breaking molecular bonds or chain scission. This process makes the insulator rough, leading to the loss of hydrophobicity and making the surface hydrophilic. Increased moisture and conductivity on the insulator surface result in leakage current, partial arcs, and dry bands, which can cause surface tracking and eventually lead to flashover and high-voltage faults.

Equipment Malfunction: PD can cause significant disruptions in normal operations and damage electrical components. The localized heating and electrical stresses associated with PD can lead to arcing, short circuits, and ultimately, equipment malfunction, affecting overall system performance. Metal components will corrode in the presence of nitric acid, and conductors and other metallic components often show signs of excessive rust and oxidation near PD sites. The damage caused by nitric acid to insulator surfaces often looks like white powder. When the surface is severely damaged, it cannot be wiped clean. If the damage is at an early stage, the insulator may be superficially cleaned, but the underlying damage remains, and degradation will continue.

Safety Hazards: One of the most severe impacts of partial discharge is the increased risk of electrical fires and explosions. The heat generated by PD can ignite surrounding materials, posing significant safety hazards to personnel and infrastructure.

Financial Implications: The financial costs associated with partial discharge are substantial. These include the costs of equipment repairs and replacements, unplanned downtime, and potential safety incidents. Addressing PD early can prevent these expenses and extend the lifespan of electrical assets.

Detection Methods for Partial Discharge

Detecting partial discharge early is crucial for preventing damage and ensuring the safety of electrical systems. Various detection methods can be employed:

Ultrasonic Testing: Ultrasonic testing involves detecting high-frequency sound waves emitted by PD activity. PD generates acoustic emissions that can be picked up by ultrasonic sensors, allowing for early detection of insulation breakdowns, particularly effective for surface discharge and corona discharge.

Electrical Testing: Electrical testing methods such as transient earth voltage (TEV) signals and pulse currents are used to monitor PD activity. These tests measure the electrical pulses and transient signals produced by PD, providing valuable data on its presence and severity, especially useful for internal discharge.

Optical Testing: Ultraviolet cameras are used to detect the light emitted by corona discharge. This method helps visualize the ionization of the air around conductors, making it easier to identify corona discharge activities.

Chemical Analysis: Chemical analysis involves identifying gases produced by PD activity in insulating oil. Dissolved gas analysis (DGA) can detect and quantify gases like hydrogen, methane, and ethylene, which are indicative of PD in oil-filled equipment.

Visual and Olfactory Cues: In addition to technical detection methods, there are several visual and olfactory cues that can indicate PD activity:

• Smell of Ozone: Partial discharge, especially corona discharge, can produce ozone, which has a distinct sharp smell.

• White Powder: The presence of white powdery deposits around electrical components can indicate PD activity.

• Verdigris: Greenish deposits, typically seen on copper conductors, are another sign of PD.

• Treeing: Tree-like patterns in insulation material are visual indicators of PD degradation.

Mitigation Strategies for Partial Discharge

Implementing effective mitigation strategies is essential for managing partial discharge and maintaining the reliability of electrical systems:

Regular Maintenance: Scheduled inspections and maintenance are crucial for identifying and addressing early signs of partial discharge. Regular maintenance helps to catch PD activity before it causes significant damage.

Improved Insulation Materials: Using high-quality, PD-resistant insulation materials can prevent the initiation and propagation of partial discharge. Modern insulation materials are designed to withstand higher electrical and thermal stresses.

Environmental Control: Managing environmental factors such as humidity, dust, and chemical exposure is essential for preventing PD. Ensuring that operational environments are clean and dry can significantly reduce the risk of PD.

Real-time Monitoring: Implementing continuous monitoring systems allows for real-time detection and analysis of PD activity. These systems can provide early warnings and detailed insights into PD behavior, enabling proactive maintenance and intervention.

Conclusion

Understanding and managing partial discharge is crucial for maintaining the reliability and safety of electrical systems. By recognizing the causes and impacts of PD, utilizing effective detection methods, and implementing robust mitigation strategies, maintenance managers and electrical engineers can significantly reduce unplanned downtime, enhance safety, and lower maintenance costs. Regular inspections, high-quality insulation materials, and real-time monitoring are key components of an effective PD management strategy.

For more information on partial discharge assessment and mitigation, contact us today. Get a free quote or schedule a consultation with our experts to ensure your electrical systems operate safely and efficiently.