Partial Discharge Monitoring in Transmission Assets

Online PD Monitoring with Powerlink

Powerlink and EA Technology Australia have established a partnership to explore the benefits and use of online partial discharge (PD) monitoring in transmission switchyards.

Powerlink is responsible for connecting Queenslanders to a world-class energy future through the provision of high voltage electricity transmission services. Its network connects five million people and 238,000 businesses, spanning 1,700km from Cairns to the New South Wales border.

With a wide and extensive network across Queensland, Powerlink concluded that real-time PD monitoring would be the most advantageous in terms of preventing failure, ensuring a reliable supply and maximising asset use. To achieve this, Powerlink approached EA Technology and together, installed an online 24/7 PD monitoring system that could effectively operate in outdoor transmission yards.

Upon installation, asset operators were able to confirm their suspicions of PD occurring within 275kV oil-filled cable terminations. Data insights gained from the online monitoring process assisted Powerlink in carrying out a planned, asset replacement strategy with the least amount of downtime. The success of this project has seen Powerlink implement online PD monitoring on multiple other assets, with a goal to provide smarter, more reliable electricity networks.

Read our article to find out how online PD monitoring was able safeguard Powerlink's network and prevent asset failure.

• Importance of PD monitoring
• Specifications and hardware of the online PD monitor - Why we chose to use a TEV sensor
• Findings - Analysis of PD data and graphs
• Forensic analysis - Pinpoint the source of PD

Read the article here.

Interested in the online PD monitoring system used? Click here.

This article was originally published in the Transmission and Distribution magazine. View here.