Junichi Wada

Influence of disconnecting part on propagation properties of PD-induced electromagnetic wave in model gis

Partial discharge (PD) detection using a UHF (ultra high frequency) band signal is a well known advanced insulation diagnosis method in gas insulated switchgear (GIS), and has been actively studied. Detailed investigation of electromagnetic (EM) wave propagation inside the GIS tank is required for significant improvement of detecting PD signal by UHF method. When practically applying the UHF method to GIS insulation diagnostics, it is necessary to examine the effects of GIS components such as circuit breakers, isolators and disconnectors on EM wave propagation properties. In this paper, attention is paid to the effects of a disconnecting part of a high voltage (HV) conductor like a circuit breaker or a disconnector in GIS. To examine the effects of disconnecting part, the gap length of the disconnecting part was set as parameter, and waveforms and frequency spectra of the propagation PD-induced EM wave were measured with UHF sensors. For the purpose of discussing the effects of the disconnecting part theoretically, a finite difference time domain (FD-TD) simulation was also carried out. The experimental results show that the PD-induced wave could propagate through the disconnecting part with higher frequency components over the cutoff frequency components of TE11 mode for disconnecting part, i.e. cylindrical shape formed by GIS tank without HV conductor. The propagation of the lower frequency components below the TE11 mode depended on the gap length of the disconnecting part.

Propagation properties of PD-induced electromagnetic wave in 66 kV GIS model tank with L branch structure

The authors investigated the effects of a corner that affects the transmission characteristics of a partial discharge (PD) induced electromagnetic (EM) wave, using a gas insulated switchgear (GIS) model with an L-shaped branch. The authors also experimentally investigated the change of amplitude of PD-induced EM wave around the passage of the Lshaped part using a disc-type ultra-high frequency (UHF) sensor located in a 66 kV model GIS. In addition, the effects of transverse electric (TE) mode were examined using a low pass filtering process, and a finite difference time domain (FD-TD) simulation with a simple model was performed. Subsequently, the effects of the L-shaped part that affected the EM wave transmission characteristic were discussed based on a comparison of the results with the analysis. It was found that the effects of the L-shaped part that affected the transmission characteristics of the PD-induced the EM wave did not affect the transverse electromagnetic (TEM) wave mode component, and reflection was generated with a higher frequency component above TE11 mode. It was also shown that the amplitude of the propagating EM wave changed significantly around the L-shaped part due to the superimposition of the reflected TE mode on the latter part of the incoming EM wave.

Study of partial discharge radiated electromagnetic wave propagation characteristics in an actual 154 kV model GIS

A method to detect partial discharge (PD) is considered effective for gas insulated switchgear (GIS) insulation diagnostics. In this paper, for a 154 kV model GIS, the influence of the enclosure diameter on PD propagation characteristics was initially investigated using model GIS by varying the enclosure size. Secondly, an experiment was conducted for metallic particles placed in different locations as a source of PD (particle adhering to the center conductor or free metallic particle). Thirdly, an actual PD experiment was conducted in an Lshaped form to study the influence of GIS shape on PD-radiated electromagnetic (EM) waves. In addition, in order to study the experimental results in detail, a simulation using the FD-TD method was conducted for comparison with these experimental results. Following the experiment, the larger the enclosure diameter, the greater the measured amplitude of PD having occurred around the center conductor. In addition, it emerged that, where the particle was close to the center conductor, EM waves propagating due to PD were less likely to be damped compared with the case where particles were placed on the bottom of the enclosure. Furthermore, following the investigation of the propagation characteristics in the L-shaped form, it emerged that, while a high frequency component of frequency exceeding that of the TEM wave component was reflected at the L-shaped part, the TEM wave component passed through almost unaffected by the latter. The propagation of the TEM mode component could be also found via FD-TD analysis.

Insulation performance of three types of micro-defects in inner epoxy insulators

Gas insulated switchgear (GIS) has been widely applied in power equipment since the late 1960s due to its reliability and compactness. Because epoxy insulators in GIS are important insulation components that affect the dielectric withstand level and the equipment lifetime, high voltage tests and sensitive partial discharge (PD) tests have been carried out on them in the factory. If a latent defect occurs inside an actual epoxy insulator, its size is predicted to be small, such as a micro-defect, because it will have passed rigorous tests and multiple inspections at the factory. Although many studies have clarified the fundamental phenomena of deterioration caused by PD occurring due to defects in inner epoxy, little is known about the actual size of such defects and their effect on insulation properties. Therefore, to assess the risks associated with aging GIS equipment, it is essential to understand the actual size of latent defects in inner epoxy insulators of GIS and the impact the defects have on the insulation performance. The puncture properties and PD characteristics of artificial micro-defects of cracks, voids, and delaminations produced using an accurate estimation technique and precise production control were investigated and are described. The results suggest that an estimation method using electric field analysis is useful for designing the defect shape and that the breakdown voltage depends on the three-dimensional shape of the defect. Techniques for accurate estimation of small defects in epoxy resin and stable production of micro-defects have thus been achieved.

Surface breakdown characteristics of silicone oil for electric power apparatus

This paper describes the surface breakdown characteristics of silicone oil which has the possibility of application to innovative switchgears and transformers as an insulating medium. At the first step, we have experimentally studied the impulse breakdown characteristics of the configuration with a triple-junction where a solid insulator is in contact with the electrode. The test configuration consists of solid material (Nomexreg or pressboard) and liquid insulation oil (silicone or mineral oil). We have discussed the experimental results based on the maximal electric field at the triple-junction. As the second step, we have studied the configuration which may improve the surface breakdown characteristics by lowering the electric field on the insulator surface

Effect of the presence of epoxy spacer on transmission rate of electromagnetic wave propagating through T-branch of 66 kV GIS model tank

This paper deals with the influence of the presence of the epoxy spacer on the transmission rate of partial discharge (PD) induced electromagnetic (EM) wave propagating through TBranch of 66 kV GIS model tank. The partial discharge sources are a particle on the conductor and a free particle on the tank. PD induced EM wave was measured by ultrahigh frequency (UHF) sensors and observed by the oscilloscope and the spectrum analyzer. A low pass filtering (LPF) process for the cut off frequency of TE11 mode was used to eliminate the higher order mode above TE11 of the detected signal. In addition, a high pass filtering (HPF) process for the cut-off frequency of TE11 mode was used to eliminate the lower frequency component below TE11 of the detected signal. We discussed the effects of the T-branch and the effect of the presence of the epoxy spacer on the peak to peak amplitude Vpp of the propagating EM wave before and after the LPF and HPF processing. We compared the transmission rate (TR) of the propagating EM wave before and after LPF and HPF processing through T-branch in straight direction (TRS) with TR of EM wave before and after the LPF and HPF processing turning at a right angle at the T-branch (TRT) in the presence and in the absence of the epoxy spacer. The results showed that the transmission rate (TR) of EM wave in the presence of the spacer was generally lower than one without spacer. TR of a particle on the conductor was higher than TR of a particle on the tank. TRT was larger than TRS. It was found that TR of low frequency component (TRLF) of EM wave signal was higher than TR of high frequency component (TRHF) with and without epoxy spacer.

Sensitivity comparison of disc- and loop-type sensors using the UHF method to detect partial discharges in GIS

This paper investigates the sensitivity of two UHF sensors of a disc-type measuring electrode and a loop-type measuring electrode embedded in an epoxy insulator for detecting partial discharges (PD) and for diagnosing gas-insulated switchgear (GIS). The experimental results show that the disc-type electrode has a wide frequency range up to 8 (GHz), which is advantageous for detecting a particle on an enclosure. The results also show that the loop-type measuring electrode is more sensitive to a metallic particle on a conductor than the disc-type measuring electrode. These results confirm that both disc-type and loop-type measuring electrode are capable of detecting frequency components in the UHF range or in a higher frequency band up to 8 (GHz) when the different types of defect exist inside a GIS.

Insulation characteristics of epoxy insulator with internal delamination-shaped micro-defects

The degradation characteristic of solid insulators is considered to be one of the key factors to perform a risk assessment of highly aged gas insulated switchgear (GIS). The present study experimentally obtained the insulation characteristics of epoxy insulator mainly with an internal microscopic delamination-shaped defect. In the experiment, a short-time breakdown electric field (EF) was initially obtained and comparison was made with the breakdown EF for the void and crack defects to evaluate the breakdown risk with respect to the defect shape. These defect models (delamination, void, and crack) were designed and produced so that an apparent partial (PD) might be 1 pC in an actual 550 kV-GIS spacer. Consequently, it emerged that the area where the EF was concentrated influenced the breakdown. Of the three types of defect, the degree of EF concentration was the lowest for delamination defects, meaning the lowest breakdown risk for the same. Subsequently, the V-t characteristics were obtained through an EF acceleration test. The V-t characteristics obtained were extrapolated to estimate the breakdown risk in 30 to 50 years operation, which is considered the design life of GIS. As a result, it was determined that the potential for eventual breakdown was extremely low under the normal operating EF, even if a delamination defect equivalent to an apparent PD of 1 pC was present in an actual 550 kV-GIS spacer. Hence, controlling a defect using 1 pC for actual GIS is considered to ensure reliability under long-term operation.

Streaming Electrification Characteristics of Silicone Oil

We present a study of the performance of silicone oil as an environmentally friendly and flame retardant insulating medium for electric power equipment. We have investigated the streaming electrification characteristics for flowing silicone oil for cooling of electric power equipment. As the initial step, the electric charge density accumulated in silicone oil and on the surface of the insulator is investigated simultaneously. We have used 5 types of insulating material for the experiment, including aramid paper. Silicone oil becomes negatively charged by streaming electrification, in contrast to conventional mineral oil, and the magnitude of the electric charge density on the insulating material is influenced by the kind of insulating material. As the second step, the streaming electrification characteristics of silicone oil were further examined using an insulator for which the work function is known. Based on these results, streaming electrification for various kinds of insulator and silicone oil is evaluated with respect to the work function. We consider the optimum combination of silicone oil and insulating material.

Insulation characteristics of epoxy insulator with internal void-shaped micro-defects

Presently, an increasing number of gas insulated switchgear (GIS) has been operated for longer than 30 years, which is generally considered their service life. The degradation in solid insulators is considered to be one of the key factors determining the service life of such highly aged GIS in terms of insulation. Under normal circumstances, GIS insulators have outstanding electrical performance and insulation failure is considered unlikely within the design life of 30 years or so, provided the units conform and have passed the partial discharge (PD) test. However, assuming operation beyond 30 years, the insulation characteristics must be clarified in case ultra-microscopic defects undetectable via the PD test are present inside insulators. Accordingly, in the preceding study, micro-defect models in three types of shape (void, crack, and delamination) with an apparent PD of 1 pC in an actual 550 kV-GIS spacer, were designed and produced. Of those three, the present study covered void-shaped defects and obtained breakdown voltage-time (V-t) characteristics through an electric field (EF) acceleration test. These V-t characteristics were extrapolated to evaluate the breakdown risk in 30 to 50 years operation, which is considered the design life of GIS. As a result, void-shaped defects of about 1 pC were evaluated as highly unlikely to cause any problem according to the 50% value of the V-t characteristics. Given the relatively large dispersion among the breakdown times in the EF acceleration test results, a study was subsequently conducted with this dispersion taken into account. The probability of breakdown within 50 years was evaluated at less than 0.1%, assuming an operating EF of 4 kVrms/mm. Furthermore, when considering the location parameter that does not result in breakdown within a certain period, the probability of breakdown was considered to be much smaller. In fact, since the declining gradient of the V-t characteristics is considered smaller in the long time region, evaluation by extrapolating the V-t characteristics in the present study is considered sufficiently safe. The Vt characteristics obtained have made it possible to evaluate the period to breakdown and the breakdown risk where ultra-microscopic voids are present.