"Detection, location and characterization of partial discharge sites in extruded dielectric cables"

Abstract

This paper reports on the progress of a research project intended to develop a method and instrumentation to detect, locate and characterize partial discharges and faults in the insulation of underground cable circuits. The method is non-destructive and applicable in-situ. It is designed to overcome the adverse effects of high ambient noise and high signal attenuation due to lossy semiconducting shields. Noise interference is reduced both by a judicious design of filters and through the use of digital deconvolution and noise reduction techniques. Methods are developed to generate a cable transfer function used in the process of enhancing and analyzing the PD signals. Results are shown from measurements performed in a noisy environment on a 600-ft 15 kV XLPE insulated cable. Testing of the method under actual field conditions is in progress.