P.J. Moore

Radiometric location of partial discharge sources on energized high-Voltage plant

Partial discharges (PD) generate wideband radio frequency interference and, consequently, can be detected using radio receiving equipment. Due to the advances in ultra-high-speed sampling equipment, it is possible to accurately measure the propagation of the PD wavefront as it passes through a 4 element antenna array. From these measurements, the three-dimensional position of the PD source can be calculated using an iterative algorithm. The locating equipment is suitable for use within the vicinity of energized high-voltage plant and can locate sources up to 15 m from the array. Results are presented showing the location ability of the equipment under laboratory and field conditions. A significant advantage is the ability to detect PD sources in energized plant without the need for outages or electrical connections.

RF-Based Partial Discharge Early Warning System for Air-Insulated Substations

Partial discharges (PDs) generate wideband radio-frequency interference which can be used for noninvasive monitoring of discharges. This paper presents a novel method based on this principle for PD monitoring of substations. The significant advantage of this method lies in the ability to detect PD sources in energized equipment anywhere within a substation compound during normal operating conditions. The results obtained from the prototypes installed in the U.K. and U.S. substations are reported. Results include correlation with apparent charge and daily recordings obtained before, during, and after the failure of a 132-kV current transformer and 69-kV voltage transformer.

Model system tests on a new numeric method of power system frequency measurement

A numerical technique for the evaluation of power system frequency has been implemented on a TMS320C31 digital signal processor. The frequency measuring equipment has been tested on programmable relay testing equipment, using known reference signals, and on a micromachine based power system simulator. The results show the frequency measuring equipment gives fast and accurate measurement under both steady-state and dynamic conditions. The response of the equipment to instantaneous changes in phase and amplitude is found to be undesirable if the algorithm is to be applied to frequency measuring protection relays.

Frequency relaying based on instantaneous frequency measurement [power systems]

A frequency relay capable of under/over frequency and rate of change of frequency measurements has been implemented on a digital signal processor using an instantaneous frequency measuring algorithm. Careful attention to the filtering aspects of the relay is needed under dynamic conditions due to frequency modulation of the input signal. An algorithm for avoiding unwanted relay operation due to impulsive changes in the input signal is presented. Results are shown for simulated tests using computer-based relay testing equipment, and for overloads on a micromachine power system simulator.

A nonintrusive partial discharge measurement system based on RF technology

Conventional electrical measurements of PD are performed with detectors connected to the plant. This paper describes research conducted in conjunction with the National Grid Company and the radiocommunications agency for the radiometric detection of partial discharge sources via a novel noncontact digital method. The equipment uses an antenna sensor and reference voltage inputs which are directly sampled at 2.5 GHz. Results for hv laboratory tests involving air, SF6 and oil discharges are presented. The results include the waveform, average frequency spectrum and pulse count distribution. A proposal is made for the characterisation of the recorded impulses from these different breakdown effects based on analysis of the spectra and pulse count distributions.

Partial discharge investigation of a power transformer using wireless wideband radio-frequency measurements

The remote detection of a transformer internal partial discharge (PD) has been demonstrated using mobile wideband radio-frequency receiving equipment. The PD is externally detectable due to coupling within the transformer tank, causing impulsive signals to be radiated from external connections. A wideband direction-finding technique using a four-antenna array has shown the source of the radiation to be the tertiary winding connections; the radiated impulse has characteristics typical of this method of emission. No other external site of radiation from the transformer was detected. Due to the lack of coupling to the primary and secondary windings, it is believed that the PD is present between the tertiary windings and the core.

The influence of personal computer processing modes on line current harmonics

The influence of the personal computer processing mode on the generation of line current harmonics has been investigated using a university library building containing over 370 PCs. The harmonics were monitored from the building switchboard using purpose-designed hardware. The PCs were set to execute four types of processing mode: idle, numerical processing, floppy, and hard disk accesses. The results recorded were indicative of harmonics caused by the PC box only, and secondary effects of harmonic production caused by distorted supply voltages were avoided. The results show that hard disk accesses cause the highest level of harmonic production affecting the 3rd and 5th components. Harmonic attenuation was very apparent when comparing the results between a single PC and 124 PCs connected to the same supply phase. However, attenuation and diversity effects due to changes in loading level on the PC power supply were not as predicted, showing an increase in harmonic generation with line current RMS level.

A direction-finding technique for wide-band impulsive noise source

A direction-finding technique for wide-band impulsive electromagnetic interference is presented. An experimental investigation was performed using a spark generator as the impulsive noise source. The signals were captured using a two-antenna array directly sampled at 1 Gs/s. A digital signal processing based correlation technique allowed assessment of the time delay between the antennas. The results in a nonideal radio propagation environment show the bearing can be estimated to an accuracy of 20.

An investigation into the use of adaptive setting techniques for improved distance back-up protection

Changes in power system operating conditions adversely affect the reach point accuracy of distance relays. This paper discusses adaptation of the settings of distance relays within an integrated digital hierarchical protection system for the optimisation of relay performance. Specific reference is made to adaptation of the zone 3 setting to ensure optimal relay performance over a wide variety of operating conditions. Results illustrating the performance of adaptive methods compared to conventional fixed setting are presented for an application study of the North Wales 400 kV transmission network, UK.

Estimation of Impulsive Noise in an Electricity Substation

Measurements of impulsive noise in a 400/275/132-kV electricity substation are presented. The measurements are made with three antennas having overlapping bands covering the range 100 MHz-6 GHz. This range includes those bands relevant to modern wireless local area network and wireless personal area network technologies (e.g., IEEE 802.11a/b/g and IEEE 802.15.1/4), which, if proved to be sufficiently robust in the presence of impulsive noise, could play a useful role in substation monitoring and control. Impulsive events are extracted from the measured data using the wavelet packet transform, and the statistical distributions of pulse rate, pulse amplitude, pulse duration, and pulse rise time are presented. An unexpected quasi-periodic component of the noise is observed.