Experience with partial discharge measurements on rotating machines in Ontario Hydro

Abstract

Forty five years experience with partial discharge (PD) measurements in one utility is reviewed, Examples of application on large steam turbine generators and hydroelectric generators are given. Overall, the use of PD measurements, when properly applied and interpreted in conjunction with other machine-related data has proved invaluable. However, the myriad factors used in making maintenance decisions based on PD data, represent a significant challenge for automated diagnostic systems.