Design of GIS Defects for Partial Discharge Induced SF6 Decomposition

In this paper the experimental setup including the design of artificial defects to implement the partial discharge (PD) study on sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) decomposition is discussed. This work aims to clarify the steps of the experimental arrangement followed to obtain decomposition results under PD of three categories of insulation artificial defect. The experimental method is explained from the design stage until the sample analysis stage, including the experimental platform and procedures. The design details include the amount and configuration of defects used, testing platform, aging time and power ratings. The experimental procedures include the design, test platform, equipment utilized, atmospheric conditions, and sample analyses. The proposed procedures suggest that valid and reliable results could be achieved through a series of experiments on SF6 decomposition that emulate the actual defects in a real gas insulated switchgear (GIS) chamber. This work can be useful in providing testing procedures applied to study the decomposition of SF6 under the presence of PD sources.