Asymmetric Capacitive Sensor for On-line and Real-time Partial Discharge Detection in Power Cables

Partial discharges (PD) have long been recognized as a major contributing factor to catastrophic failures in high-power equipment. As the demand for high voltage direct current (HVDC) facilities continues to rise, the significance of on-line and real-time monitoring of PD becomes increasingly prominent. In this study, we have designed, fabricated, and characterized a highly sensitive and cost-effective PD sensor comprising a pair of copper electrodes with different arc lengths. The key advantage of our sensor is its non-invasive nature, as it can be installed at any location along the entire power cable without requiring structural modifications. In contrast, conventional PD sensors are typically limited to installation at cable terminals or insulation joint boxes, often necessitating invasive alterations. Our PD sensor demonstrates exceptional accuracy in estimating PD location, with a success rate exceeding 95% in the straight sections of the power cable and surpassing 89% in curved sections. These remarkable characteristics indicate its high potential for real-time and on-line detection of PD.