Understanding Partial Discharge: Key Insights and Solutions
Dec
Power magnetic components isolate two portions of an electronic circuit. Isolation may be necessary to meet safety specifications or protect sensitive circuits from excessive voltages or transients. The isolation required in a circuit is determined by the voltage and level of safety insulation. The magnetic design is intended to meet isolation requirements; however, it cannot entirely prevent potential defects that may arise from material or manufacturing variations. Over time, these defects could lead to failures, especially under transient or repetitive voltage stresses across the insulation barrier. Therefore, it is essential to conduct testing on the components to assess and ensure the long-term integrity of the insulation.
What is Partial Discharge?
Partial Discharge (PD) refers to small electrical discharges within high-voltage equipment insulation or conductor systems, which do not completely bridge the space between electrodes. PD often occurs due to insulation defects, contaminants, or aging within equipment. Left unchecked, these discharges can progressively weaken insulation, leading to complete equipment failure over time.
Think of PD as tiny, invisible cracks in a foundation. While initially small, these cracks can expand if not addressed, eventually leading to major structural damage. Similarly, PD slowly deteriorates electrical insulation until equipment failure becomes inevitable.
The Cost of Ignoring PD in High-Voltage Equipment
Operational Risks:
Neglecting PD can lead to catastrophic outcomes, such as equipment breakdowns, unexpected production halts, and fire hazards. These events are costly to address and can disrupt entire operations.
Real-World Impact:
In one instance, a manufacturing facility experienced sudden downtime due to a transformer failure linked to undetected PD. The loss in productivity and emergency repairs cost the company hundreds of thousands of dollars. With regular PD monitoring, these incidents are avoidable.
Vast majority of insulation failure events start due to partial discharges. According to a study performed in India, 41% of transformer failures are due to insulation failure.
Why Monitoring Matters
Monitoring Partial Discharge (PD) is crucial because PD signals the early stages of insulation breakdown, which can lead to severe equipment failure and costly repairs. Early PD detection enables operators to proactively manage insulation health, preventing failures, extending equipment life, and reducing both downtime and repair costs.
The Solution: Power Technologies™’ PD Monitoring System
Power Technologies™ has developed advanced PD sensors (PTSPD 1000, 4000, 31) and monitoring systems to enable real-time detection and tracking of PD in high-voltage environments.
Here’s how our technology addresses the challenges:
- Continuous Real-Time Monitoring
- Wireless Data Transmission
- Compatibility with Diverse Environments
- Minimal Maintenance Requirements
Direct Benefits to Users
- Enhanced Operational Reliability
- Lowered Maintenance Costs
- Longer Equipment Lifespan
