Detecting Partial Discharge in Medium Voltage Switchgear
Sometimes root cause of downtime is easy to identify – other times it is much more insidious and harder to detect, like partial discharge (PD).
Unplanned downtime can be a significant issue for industrial and manufacturing facilities, costing up to US$1 million per hour.
The Threat of Partial Discharge
Partial discharge (PD) occurs when a portion of the insulation in switchgear is unable to withstand the electric field applied to it. This can happen due to environmental factors like temperature fluctuations and high humidity, which can break down the solid insulation materials over time. These discharges can happen thousands of times per second, weakening the insulation and leading to a potential flashover that can disrupt operations, cause loss of productivity and revenue, and damage the facility’s reputation.
Detecting and Diagnosing Partial Discharge
Traditional annual inspections of medium voltage switchgear may not detect the internal damage, voids, or cracks that can lead to partial discharge. A more effective approach is continuous monitoring.
The core of this solution is the PowerLogic PD100 sensor, which allows for continuous monitoring to maximize service continuity and optimize maintenance. The solution also includes remote monitoring, expert analysis, and maintenance recommendations.
By integrating the PD100 sensor with other environmental sensors like the PowerLogic CL110 humidity sensor, the solution can correlate data to analyse the severity and impact of partial discharge on the electrical system. This provides early anomaly detection to prevent downtime and allows for fast response before assets can be further damaged.
Proactive Maintenance and Insights
Beyond simple detection, the Partial Discharge Monitoring Solution provides actionable insights to help understand the equipment’s health and plan for future preventive maintenance. A service plan provides constant visibility into the performance of medium voltage switchgear, allowing a dedicated team of experts to proactively monitor, analyse, and troubleshoot the critical electrical assets.
By identifying, resolving, and even predicting issues like partial discharge before they escalate, the solution can help provide peace of mind and prevent major problems from occurring.
Source: Schneider Electric
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