Development of procedures for partial discharge measurements at low pressures in air, argon and helium

• Published in: IEEE transactions on dielectrics and electrical insulation Vol. 15; no. 6; pp. 1535 - 1543
• Main Authors: Grosjean, D.F., Schweickart, D.L., Kasten, D.G., Sebo, S.A., Xin Liu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York IEEE 01-12-2008; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Argon; Calibration; Conductors; Dielectric measurements; Dielectrics; Dielectrics and electrical insulation; Electrical insulation; Electrodes; experimental setup; Guidelines; Helium; IEC standards; low pressure; Measurement standards; Partial discharge; partial discharge current-pulse waveform; Partial discharge measurement; partial discharge measurement requirements; Partial discharges; rise time
• ISSN: 1070-9878; 1558-4135
• DOI: 10.1109/TDEI.2008.4712655

Partial discharge (PD) characteristics in air, argon and helium at pressures between 101 kPa (760 Torr) to about 0.27 kPa (2 Torr) under 60 Hz AC energization were studied with various electrode arrangements. Measurements are presented for two representative electrode configurations, (1) needle-plane, with 20 mm spacing and a dielectric barrier, and (2) a twisted pair of insulated conductors. Typical PD current pulse waveforms are presented. Difficulties in adhering to measurement guidelines defined by the IEC 60270 standard are described, and suggested modifications of the standard procedures are presented for measurement and calibration for low-pressure PD.