Scarico parziale – Misurazioni precise e protezione per sistemi ad alta tensione

Partial discharge is a frequently underestimated phenomenon in electrical engineering that can cause significant damage to high-voltage systems. It occurs when discharge-like phenomena occur within insulating materials, potentially leading to progressive degradation of the insulation. To prevent such damage, precise measurements and the use of high-quality partial discharge products are essential. In this article, you will learn everything important about partial discharge and the devices used for it, such as partial discharge couplers, partial discharge measurement antennas, and partial discharge calibrators.

What is Partial Discharge?

Partial discharge refers to a discharge that occurs within an insulating material without fully penetrating the entire material. These discharges are caused by the presence of air bubbles, impurities, or other defects in the insulation. Although partial discharge does not immediately result in failure, it can damage the insulation over time, leading to severe damage to electrical systems. Therefore, early detection and monitoring of partial discharges are crucial to ensuring the lifespan and safety of high-voltage systems.

Why is Measuring Partial Discharge Important?

Measuring partial discharge is a critical part of preventive maintenance and condition monitoring for high-voltage systems. Unchecked partial discharges can lead to insulation failures, system outages, and costly repairs. Continuous and precise measurements allow for early damage detection and appropriate corrective actions. Specialized equipment capable of reliably measuring and analyzing partial discharges is required for accurate diagnostics.

Products for Measuring Partial Discharges

Partial Discharge Couplers

Partial discharge couplers are specialized measuring devices used to monitor partial discharges in high-voltage systems. They are capable of detecting discharges within an insulating material without affecting the system’s functionality. 

• Function: Partial discharge couplers extract the electrical signals from partial discharges and transmit them to a measuring device, where the data is analyzed. 
  
• Application: These devices are used in high-voltage testing to check the integrity of cables, transformers, and other electrical equipment. 
  
• Advantage: They enable early detection of insulation faults, preventing expensive failures and repairs.
  

Partial Discharge Measurement Antennas

• Partial discharge measurement antennas are specially designed antennas that capture and measure high-frequency signals from partial discharges. They are indispensable tools for detecting and analyzing partial discharges. 
• Function: These antennas capture the high-frequency signals from partial discharges and transmit them to an analysis device. 
  
• Application: They are particularly used in high-voltage test benches to measure partial discharges in cables, switchgear, and other high-voltage components. 
  
• Advantage: The measurement antennas offer high sensitivity and allow precise measurements even of the smallest partial discharges.
  

Partial Discharge Calibrator

A partial discharge calibrator is used to calibrate the measuring devices for partial discharges and to verify that they are operating precisely. The calibrator ensures that the measurement results are always reliable and reproducible. 

• Function: The calibrator generates simulated partial discharges, which are used to test and calibrate measuring devices. 
  
• Application: These devices are especially important to ensure that the measuring devices provide correct measurements during practical application. 
  
• Advantage: Calibration ensures the accuracy of measurements, leading to better diagnostics and damage prevention.
  

Advantages of Measuring Partial Discharges

The precise measurement and monitoring of partial discharges offer numerous benefits, both for the safety and economic efficiency of high-voltage systems: 

• Early fault detection: Early detection of partial discharges allows insulation faults to be addressed before they lead to severe damage. 
  
• Longer equipment lifespan: Regular partial discharge measurements help extend the lifespan of high-voltage systems and minimize failures. 
  
• Avoidance of repair costs: Early diagnoses prevent expensive repairs and system downtime. 
  
• Increased operational safety: Continuous monitoring ensures that your high-voltage systems can be operated safely.
  

Applications of Partial Discharge Monitoring

Monitoring partial discharges is crucial in various fields of electrical engineering and high-voltage technology: 

• Transformers and generators: By monitoring partial discharge in transformers and generators, potential insulation faults can be detected and addressed. 
  
• High-voltage cables: Measuring partial discharges in cables helps identify hidden damage that would otherwise not be immediately visible. 
  
• Switchgear and power supply systems: Partial discharges in switchgear and power supply systems can lead to failures, making regular inspections essential. 
  
• Wind turbines: In the wind power industry, regular partial discharge measurements of electrical components are critical to avoid failures.
  

Detecting and Resolving Partial Discharges

Measuring partial discharges is an indispensable tool for condition monitoring of high-voltage systems. By using specialized devices such as partial discharge couplers, partial discharge measurement antennas, and partial discharge calibrators, companies can efficiently monitor their systems, detect potential insulation faults early, and thus prevent failures and expensive repairs. With precise partial discharge diagnostics, not only can the lifespan of systems be extended, but operational safety can also be significantly increased.