High PD activity ...
... lead to uncovering a critical problem - the incorrectly installed wedges
Company: Midwest US Utility
Ratings: 173 MW, 18 kV, Hydrogen Cooled Turbine Generator, 3 years in operation
Manufacturer: Confidential
Related Info: 25 years old
PD Sensors: Two bus couplers per phase
Case Study Details:"... With the high H2 pressure (30-35 psig) the [PD] levels were expected to be very low but instead were very high after only a year of operation. We initially expected to find problems with the couplers as we did not believe the results..."
High PD activity (slot discharge)...
...was a foresign of an upcoming failure
Company: Western Canadian Utility
Ratings: 184 MVA, 13.8 kV, Air Cooled Hydro Generator
Manufacturer: Confidential
Related Info: 25 years old
PD Sensors: Four PDA Couplers per phase
Case Study Details: The PD data for this unit has been trended for over ten years. In 1995, semi-conducting paint and CRTV were injected into selected bars ...
Intelligent on-line signature analysis...
...revealed broken rotor bars
Company: A large utility in the US northeast
Ratings: 3000hp, 6.6kV 1785rpm Motor
Manufacturer: Confidential
Case Study Details: The suspicion arose from a constant hum during motor operation and abnormal vibration levels during start-up and running. The plant vibration monitoring system did not have the ability to zoom...
High level system PD noise...
...uncovered a well-developed tracking
Company: Italian utility
Ratings: 390 MW, 20kV, Hydrogen Cooled Turbine Generator
Manufacturer: Confidential
Related Info: Installed in 1970
PD Sensors: Two Bus Couplers per phase
Case Study Details: During a partial discharge measurement using the TGA-B portable instrument, high levels of PD activity (over 3000mV position, well above the highest range, see Figure 1) were detected on the C phase outside...
Reading Instability...
...uncovered internal bad connection on a new transformer
Company: US North-West utility
Ratings: 45 MVA power transformer
Manufacturer: Confidential
A customer was commissioning a new 45 MVA power transformer delivered by an overseas manufacturer. During the test, ADWEL's Digital Winding Resistance ReporteR, DWR-10, was consistently issuing a warning of current interruptions, and did not complete the test. Another DWR-10 instrument was used with similar outcome. All other standard measurements, including TTR, Tan-Delta and insulation resistance indicated acceptable resistance value.
Nevertheless, the customer drained the oil and inspected the transformer to detect that the windings on all 3 phases were not properly secured to the bushings. Had the transformer been energized, a catastrophic failure could have occurred.
PDTrac (PD)
SurgAlert
PDAlert
- PDF - PDF
The PDTrac instrument performs automated, continuous Partial Discharge measurements for motors, generators, switchgear and dry-type trans formers. The PDTrac instrument provides maintenance professionals with an opportunity to continuously monitor equipment for insulation breakdown. This instrument will automate measurements and store recorded data for up to 2 years. The PDTrac instrument includes Sensor Input Modules, dry contact Alarm Output and can be supplied with optional Analog Signal Output Module. The PDTrac instrument can be completely controlled from a remote location and contains communication options including RS485 or Ethernet TCP/IP. Plant personnel can configure the unit, test the machines and receive alarm notifications from their office PC.
The optional OPC interface allows users to integrate partial discharge (PD) data from continuous on-line PD monitoring instruments, through a LAN, into external applications for alarming, displaying and/or trending. The OPC interface eliminates the need of a custom software application to display PD data. Multiple OPC clients are supported. Click here for more information - PDF
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Bus Couplers
TGA-B (PD)
CSMeter (Current Signature)
EL CID
Wedge Tightness Detector
DCR-50 (DC Ramp Test) 
Corona Probe (PD)
Magnastart (Motor Starter)