Sensitive Partial Discharge Measurements in Noisy Testing Environments

May 2, 2022

Partial discharge testing in the ultra-high frequency (UHF) range ensures sensitive measurements despite external noise.

Our portable, easy-to-use UHF 800 system is our new solution for performing sensitive offline and online partial discharge (PD) measurement and analysis in the ultra-high frequency (UHF) range from 100 to 2000 MHz.

Multiple PD testing applications

This ultra-high frequency PD testing system is used for insulation condition assessment and insulation defect detection on electrical equipment in noisy testing environments – especially in the case of on gas-insulated switchgear (GIS), gas-insulated lines (GIL), oil-filled power transformers, and high-voltage (HV) power cable terminations.

It features a portable and flexible modular design for fast and easy setup during type and routine testing in HV laboratories or test bays, on-site commissioning (site acceptance testing) and troubleshooting in the field. The UHF 800 can be used as a stand-alone system or in combination with our MPD 800 PD measurement and analysis system.

Reliable insulation condition assessments and defect detection

On-site PD measurements specified by the IEC 60270 standard are often affected by noise in the surrounding environment. PD measurements performed in the ultra-high frequency (UHF) range of 100 to 2000 MHz present a reliable PD measurement alternative for assessing insulation condition and detecting insulation defects.

Optimal signal-to-noise ratio

This is because numerous noise sources, such as mobile communications, radar signals and corona discharges, predominantly transmit in lower or narrow frequency ranges. PD measurements performed in the UHF range therefore result in an optimal signal-to-noise ratio to ensure PD measurement sensitivity with little or no interference from external noise.

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Listen to our podcast episode

Learn more about performing PD measurements in the UHF range. In this episode of our Energy Talks podcast series, our PD expert Ulrike Bronowski describes why and how they are performed on electrical equipment to ensure sensitive PD measurements in noisy testing environments.

Energy Talks is our regular podcast series where expert guests talk about a wide variety of power system testing topics. Find out more and listen to all episodes on our podcast landingpage.