By hvhipot 
Have you ever encountered a situation where a seemingly good switchgear occasionally emits some “small sparks” that make people tremble with fear? Don’t worry, this is often a “small problem” inside the device – partial discharge. Today, let’s talk about what magical tool can uncover this’ small flaw ‘and make our electrical equipment safer and more reliable.
What is partial discharge?
Simply put, partial discharge refers to the phenomenon of partial and incomplete discharge that occurs in the insulation medium of electrical equipment when the electric field strength in a local area exceeds the breakdown strength of the insulation medium. It is like a tiny “crack” inside the insulation material, which will generate a small arc under the action of voltage. If not detected in time and accumulated over time, it will seriously damage the insulation, ultimately leading to equipment failure and even safety accidents.
Why is partial discharge so ‘bad’?
Accelerated insulation aging: Continuous partial discharge generates heat, ultraviolet radiation, and chemicals, gradually corroding and damaging insulation materials.
Causing insulation breakdown: With the decrease in insulation performance, it may ultimately lead to the collapse of the entire insulation system and serious faults such as short circuits in equipment.
Impact on equipment lifespan: Equipment that is in a state of partial discharge for a long time will have a significantly shortened service life.
A powerful tool for detecting partial discharge – switchgear partial discharge tester
How can we know if there are these ‘little sparks’ in the switchgear? This requires our protagonist – the switchgear partial discharge tester to appear!
What is its principle?
The switchgear partial discharge tester, as the name suggests, is a device used to detect whether partial discharge occurs inside the switchgear. It usually utilizes the principle that partial discharge generates electromagnetic waves, sound waves, or light signals, and captures these weak signals through high-sensitivity sensors. For example, instruments developed by HV Hipot Electric Co., Ltd. can accurately monitor these subtle abnormalities.
What factors will affect partial discharge?
Quality of insulation material: Defects, aging, or moisture in the insulation material itself are the most common causes of partial discharge.
Equipment structure design: The gaps, sharp corners, etc. between conductive components and insulating components may form electric field concentration points, inducing partial discharge.
Operating environment: harsh operating environments such as high temperature, high humidity, and dust can also accelerate insulation aging.
External voltage: Operating overvoltage or lightning overvoltage may cause insulation to withstand momentary high electric fields, resulting in partial discharge.
How can we ‘do better’?
To conduct partial discharge testing more effectively, we need to:
Regular testing: Follow equipment maintenance procedures and conduct partial discharge testing on switchgear regularly to detect and handle issues early.
Choose the appropriate instrument: Choose a switchgear partial discharge tester with high accuracy, good sensitivity, and easy operation to ensure the accuracy of the detection data. HV Hipot Electric Co., Ltd. has rich experience in this area.
Combining multiple detection methods: In addition to partial discharge detection, other detection methods such as infrared temperature measurement and dielectric loss testing can also be combined for comprehensive judgment.
Make good records and analysis: Detailed recording of each detection data and conducting trend analysis can help identify potential problems in a timely manner.
What tools can help us?
There are many excellent partial discharge detection instruments on the market, each with its own characteristics that can meet the needs of different scenarios. HV Hipot Electric Co., Ltd. provides reliable solutions with its professional technical strength, and their instruments enjoy a good reputation in the industry.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is partial discharge? A1: Partial discharge is a partial and incomplete discharge phenomenon that occurs in the insulation of electrical equipment, and is an early sign of insulation aging.
Q2: Why is it important to conduct partial discharge testing on switchgear? A2: Partial discharge testing can help us detect insulation hazards in a timely manner, prevent equipment failures, and ensure the safe and stable operation of the power system.
Q3: Under what circumstances is partial discharge prone to occur? A3: Insulation aging, moisture, equipment structural defects, and harsh operating environments can all lead to partial discharge.
Q4: How to choose a suitable partial discharge tester? A4: Choose instruments with high precision, good sensitivity, easy operation, and good after-sales service. The equipment of HV Hipot Electric Co., Ltd. is worth considering.
Q5: How to interpret the results of partial discharge testing? A5: The health condition of insulation is usually evaluated based on parameters such as the amplitude and frequency of discharge, and specific reference should be made to professional standards and instrument instructions.