Measurement of partial discharges in high voltage

apparatus with the balanced circuit

Th. Praehauser

Translated from Bulletin ASE, Bd. 64 (1973), Nr. 19, p. 1183.. . 1189

l-281
IE

Measurement of partial discharges in high voltage apparatus with the balanced circuit
Th. Praehauser

1. Nondestructive tests
The fundamental problem when checking the quality of electrical insulation of high voltage apparatus is the performance of tests
without damaging or even destroying the test object. Tests are
supposed to anticipate stresses under service conditions and to reveal weak points. A succesfully passed test shall guarantee operation under service conditions without damage or interruption. It is
the skill of economic design and production to extend all efforts
just to the point where the necessary safety in service is achieved.
Accordingly design and test engineers must be aware of the question -just as the user does - : How can a damage caused by a test
be discovered, even if it is only a slight weakening of the insulation, and what amount of change in the quality of the insulation
can be tolerated dependant of its temporary or permanent nature
respectively. Such a means of quality check without doing harm
by its application is the partial discharge measurement I1 1).
2. The partial discharge measurement
Partial discharges in the high voltage insulation (pd) are local
breakdowns of parts of the insulation, which do not result in a
complete breakdown. but which cause a change of voltage. charge
and energy of the testobject seen as a whole. As measuring quantity the IEC 121 recommends preferably the apparent charge in pC
(which is the change of the charge of the test object as a whole during a partial discharge somewhere in its insulation).
For being able to compare the quality of various testobjects.
the measuring instruments in the measuring circuits have to be calibrated for themselves as well as together with the used measuring
circuit. It is insufficient to just accept the measured values indicated by the instrument, additionally the transfer behaviour of the
whole measuring circuit must be included. With PC-detectors this
is achieved by applying a calibrating pulse to the test object and
corresponding adjustment of the measuring instrument. In case
the instrument cannot be adjusted, the corresponding correction
factor must be measured. Recommendations for the calibration of
measuring circuits and for calibrators are given in Appendix III of
Progress-Report 21.01 CIGRE 1968 (cables) 131.
Although presuming a discharge free supply - i.e. voltage control and highvoltage transformer - and a discharge free measuring
circuit (especilly the coupling capacitor), all measured partial discharges must be traced to their origin. Beside voltage independent
disturbances from the network, from rotating machines. cranes,
fluorescent lamps, radio emission or caused by another test procedure in the neighbourhood, there are very often voltage dependent
disturbances which sneak in like metallic parts with floating potential, unscreened points or small metallic particles. The only reliable way to eliminate all voltage independant disturbances is the
installation of a completely screened test plant with adequate fil) see references at the end of the article

tering of all electrical connections to the outside; frequently a few

but intense discharges with stable position in the sine wave give
high indications of the measuring instrument and simulate a high
disturbance level, although the remaining part of the sine wave is
practically free of discharges. An oscillogram however gives a
clearer impression of the situation, by photographs of such discharges their voltage independance can be checked.
Disturbances spread over the sinewave can be reduced concerning the measurement of the partial discharges in the testobject
by using a balanced circuit. This was the original intension when
introducing the balanced circuit. But beside reducing voltage independent disturbances the balanced circuit can be used for the location of partial discharges. A survey of general and special measuring methods for various types of high voltage apparatus is given
in 141.
Typical cathode ray oscillograms of various partial discharges
were published by the CIGRE working group 21.03 ((Discharges)
under Dr. Kreuger 15 1. According to phase angle and intensity in
the sine wave and according to the dependence on time and voltage the following origins of partial discharges are characterized:
the discharge behaviour of deteriorated insulation either in the
middle of the insulation, at metallic electrodes in various materials
or at the edges of metallic electrodes adjacent to interfaces of different insulating materials; metallic parts with floating potential,
bad contacts, furtheron voltage independent disturbances and simulations of partial discharges.
3. The balanced circuit

3.1 The balanced circuit for reducing external disturbances.

Additional to the series connection of testobject and measuring
impedance a parallel branch of a test object with similar capacity
and series connected measuring impedance is inserted in the circuit. The measuring instrument is connected between the two
measuring impedances A 1 and A 2 (Fig. la). If the two measuring
impedances are adjusted in a way, that the voltage drops caused
by the disturbances are equal for both measuring impedances A I
and AZ, then these disturbances coming from outside the two
parallel branches are eliminated for the measuring instrument 16 I.
Fig. 1 shows as an example a discharge from a high voltage electrode to ground during the negative polarity of the sine wave.
From all high voltage electrodes of the capacities negative charges
are subtracted by the discharges, therefore the same amount of
positive charges from the low voltage side of the capacities is released through the measuring impedances A I and A ? to ground
also. If the measuring impedances A I and A 2 are adjusted
according to the capacities CBI and CBZ, the voltage drops across
A I and A 2 will be equal in amount but opposite in polarity. so they
are compensated for the measuring instrument M - only their difference is indicated by M. The pd-currents through the measuring
impedances are besides influenced by the capacity of CJ: the

larger CJ compared with the capacities in the balanced branches

Ca I and Csz , the higher the portion of the discharge current,
which goes through CJ . If the measuring instrument M is
connected to ground with one input, then the partial discharge
current through the remaining ob.ject (C BI or CB?) can be

measured (Fig. lb and Ic). It is presumed. that a positive voltage

in A I is reproduced by the measuring instrument also as positive,
whereas a positive in A2 is reproduced as a negative one. With a
well balanced circuit and about equal capacities in the two branches attenuations of external disturbances up to 1 : 1000 can be

b
branch 2

bridge

branch 1
:
c Bl
L

50 Hz
ms

,ienlarged scale

I
c 82
L

1i c 131
OT

t
I-

TO

50 Hz

ms

IJS
%Fig. 1:

icB2

I
J
S
-e-

Measurement of partial discharges by means of a bridge circuit: discharges to earth

a

cBl. cB?

Basic diagram of bridge circuit. Conditions under external partial discharges from high voltage to earth
(negative half-wave)
Capacitances of the test object in Branch 1 and 2 respectively
Coupling capacitor
Stray capacitances
downwards. (a-instrument see section 3.3.2 Fig. 8.)

Substituting resistance
RI?
M
Measuring instrument
A r, A z Measuring impedance in Branch I and 2 respectively
+ - Direction of movement of positive or negative charbb
w
According to wether the measuring instrument is
b, c
connected into branch 1, in the bridge, or branch 2.
the discharge impulses appear upwards, reduced or
3

achieved. Necessary for this result is a geometrically close arrangemant of the two objects, so that the antenna effect of the two objects is reduced to a minimum. If the measuring instrument accepts frequencies above 150 kc/s, then a distance of 10 m between

the two objects can neutralize the balanced circuit and make it
worthless. In general an attenuation of 1 : 20 will be sufficient. But
beside for attenuating external disturbances, the balanced circuit
can be used for locating partial discharges.

cSB2

i
T&t

-i

b
bridge

branch 1

branch 2

r---------

enlarged scale

IJS
-%-

lJ=
%

Fig.2: Partial discharge measurement with the bridge circuit: Discharges in branch of testobject
a Basic diagram of the bridge circuit. Conditions with internal
discharges in the testobject - branch 1 (positive half-wave)
Characteristics see Fig. 1

b, c According to whether the measuring instrument is connected

to branch 1, in the bridge, or branch 2, the discharge impulse
in the oscillogram appears larger or smaller, but is always
into the same direction. (a-instrument, see section 3.3.2 and
Fig. 8.)

3.2 The balanced circuit with cathode ray oscilloscope

as a means for locating partial discharges.
The partial discharge currents cause according to their direction positive or negative voltage drops in the measuring impedan
ces A I and A z . The origin of the partial discharges in the
measuring circuit or in the surrounding determines the direction of
the pd-currents in the measuring impedances. By means of an oscilloscope with delayed sweep and variable timebase parts of the
sine wave can be enlarged deliberately. For discharges from a
highvoltage electrode to ground in the negative polarity of the sine
wave Fig. la shows the currents in the two measuring impedances
to have the same direction. As the measuring instrument has opposite polarity for branche 2 compared with branch 1, the impulses from the two measuring impedances are opposite to each other
(Fig. lb and lc). If however the partial discharges come from one
of the two objects CBI or CBZ, e.g. in branch 1 (Fig. 2), then the
currents through the two measuring impedances are opposite to
each other. which means, that they have the same direction in the
oscillogram. If in CBI (composed of the capacities C I, C? and C -7)
C I breaks down, then the voltage at the electrodes of CBI will be
reduced. Charges will be supplied from CBZ and the stray
capacities until their voltage is the same as of CBI. If the
highvoltage electrodes of all these capacities were not connected,
CBI could not be recharged. the current through A I would be
much smaller, namely only corresponding to the size of CBI s
stray capacity CSBI and its voltage decrease. The charges in C 1
compensate each other in the breakdown, C 3 loses charge to C 2
Only by the charge supply from CBZ, CJ etc. to CBI currents are
driven through the measuring impedances A I and A 2.
Figures 3 to 5 show principally the same types of partial discharges, but in a simplified manner. To render a better survey all
discharges are supposed to occur during the negative half of the
sine wave. For the measuring impedances the direction of the pdcurrent is given by the direction of the positive charges. The oscillograms are omitted: when the pd-current to ground in A I is
directed to ground, then the voltage impulse in the oscillogram is
in the direction to positive voltage, for A z the opposite stays. Fig.
3 is the simplified diagram for Fig. 1, i.e. the discharge from the
highvoltage electrode to ground. Fig. 4 represents the pd-currents
for partial discharges in CBI, Fig. 5 in Cs2respectively. From Fig.
3 to 5 easily can be seen - as can be proved by measurements that discharges from the highvoltage electrode to ground result in

Fig.3: Directions of currents for pd to ground (negative sinewave)

$ pd, Ydirection of current
Characteristics see Fig. 1

B2

Fig. 4: Directions of currents for pd in the testobject of branch 1

(negative sine-wave)
Characteristics see Fig. 1 and 3
currents of the same direction for both measuring impedances and
Cj, whereas discharges in one of the testobjects result in discharge currents of opposite directions for the two measuring impedances.
How signifiant is the impulse direction of pd-currents? Which
other origins of partial discharges could simulate the above mentioned combinations of impulse directions? There are the two following cases:
The same impulse directions as discharges from the common
highvoltage electrode to ground show also discharges from out of
one of the testobjects to ground (e.g. from an intermediate shielding) (Fig. 6). This case may be important. if the adequacy of a top
electrode is in discussion and the discharges are in fact caused by
an intermediate but too small shielding. which may be besides too
close to some earthed object. In this case the impulse direction
alone could be misleading.
The same impulse directions as with partial discharges in one of
the two testobjects arise, if there are discharges between the two
testobjects (Fig. 7). This occurs. if for instance a potential divider
is too close situated to a highvoltage transformer, so that there are
discharges between intermediate shieldings of these two apparatus. If only the impulse directions are considered, internal discharges in the divider could be erroneously inferred.
Therefore the proportions of the impulses have to be considered (beside their directions) as is done also in other test methods 171.
The transfer behaviour for various pd-origins is determined by
means of constant calibrating impulses applied to various objects
or accessible parts of them. For the two branches the transfer factors may differ (transfer factor: applied pd-value divided by the indicated value on the measuring instrument). If it seems desirable
to know the impulse directions under highvoltage conditions, a calibrating spark gap can be used with constant pulse size. These
constant pulse sizes can be achieved as long as the point discharge gap is used just slightly above its inception voltage [ 81.
If additionally to this the measuring impedances are connected
to other highvoltage apparatus in the circuit and the according impulse sizes and directions are measured, the location of partial discharges is further facilitated. It is recommendable to arrange all
transfer factors and impulse directions for every point of calibrator-application and the corresponding points of measuring impedances in a table (with reference to the same polarity of the sine
wave). By multiplying the data measured during the actual pd-test
with the corresponding transfer factors for the various points of
5

calibration one receives for every of these points a set of values according to the number of measuring impedances used. For one pdposition in the mentioned table the calculated values for the different measuring impedances will show an optimum agreement. The
true origin of the measured partial discharge will be close to this
position. The method of the impulse directions leads to the same
result. The two methods of impulse direction and impulse size
comparison complete and check each other.
During a pd-measurement the following difficulty may arise:
As long as the balanced circuit is used, the partial discharges can
be observed easily, as external disturbances are mainly compensated. But as soon as the impulse directions should be determined
and the branches one or two are switched off from the measuring
instrument alternatively, the high external disturbance level shows
up! Are the partial discharges being under investigation of an external nature, then they will increase too. But if they are caused by
internal discharges in the testobject, switching off one branch
from the measuring instrument will rather decrease the impulses
(Fig. 2), so that the discharges, which should be investigated, disappear in the now increased disturbance level. In this case the delayed sweep of the oscilloscope can be valuable: the discharges
from every phase position of the alternating current can be enlarged at will and their direction be determined.

3.3 Calibration
3.3.1 Measurement of the transfer factors.
As the various possible discharge points in the measuring circuit have different transfer factors, the question arises, which of
this factors should be set equal to unity - if the PC-detector can be
adjusted. as most of them are. The simplest way is, to set equal 1
the factor for partial discharges across the test object - not to
ground (which would include the measuring impedance). which
means for instance to adjust the amplitude on the oscilloscope
screen in mm equal to the amount of PC. At this the measuring instrument should be connected only to the measuring impedance of
the test object: calibration in the balanced circuit would result in
the difference of the two voltage drops across the two measuring
impedances and therefore in a combination of two transfer factors. This would render difftcult the evaluation. After this the various transfer factors for the desirable measuring impedances and
discharge points of interest are determined. Additional to the two
measuring impedances of the balanced circuit it may be advantageous to insert the second measuring impedance e.g. in series to
the coupling capacitor (Fig. 1 and 2: CJ).

0
--7

&

+B2

Fig.6: Directions of currents for pd from testobject 1 to ground,

e.g. from an intermediate shielding
(negative sine-wave)
Characteristics see Fig. 1 and 3
3.3.2 Determination of the phase position and
checking of the impulse direction.
For diagnosis of partial discharges with the oscilloscope the determination of the phase position in the sine wave is absolutely necessary. By means of a point discharge gap 181 the maximum of
the negative amplitude of the sine wave is found out by applying
high voltage to the point of the piont discharge gap: the partial
discharges occur in the negative maximum of the sine wave. The
reproduction of these impulses by the measuring circuit is also essential, as there exist two kinds of PC-detectors in the broadband
range. Both types transfer the pd-pulse into a swinging shape, but
for the a-instrument the first amplitude is the largest, for the pinstrument however it is the second one (Fig. 8) 191. Using the pinstrument the first amplitude could be erraneously neglected, if
one is not aware of this fact. Still it is recommendable to check
also an a-instrument, as in singular cases in special measuring circuits a P-impulse can be produced. This latter measurement must
be used as a check, which one of the two branches reproduces the
correct impulse direction: the impulse of the point discharge gap
in the negative maximum of the sine wave must be directed to the
zero-line: expressed more simply: this partial discharge is a voltage reduction, charges leave the test objects.

3.4 Quarltitative estimation of apparent charges

through the measuring impedances.

Fig. 5: Directions of currents for pd in the testobject of branch 2

(negative sine-wave)
Characteristics see Fig. 1 and 3

Nearly all external pd-occurences are equivalent with voltage

reductions; an exception is e.g. in Fig. 7 the discharge between the
two test objects - if the lower part of the capacitor in branch 2 is
considered. This lower part of the capacitor is charged during the
discharge.
To calculate the transfers of charges during discharges of the
above described kind by means of the energy law would be rather
complicated. Obviously the law is valid. but it is for the whole
energy, not just for the energy of the charges. The difference between the various energies of charges before and after the partial
discharges are lost in the resistances. These resistances can
hardly be calculated or measured. The simpler way of calculating
the transfer of charges is given by the constancy of the sum of
charges 1101.
For the case of Fig. 7 the voltage drop of the three capacities
CBI, Cez and C4 after a partial discharge be AU . It is assumed,
that recharging the three capacities by the transformer can be neg-

5+
T

we call C and which have the original voltage, then a common

voltage drop AU would be the result with the condition that the
sum of all changes of charge be zero:
AU C + (AU, + AU) Cns - (AU1 - AU) Cni = 0

A-

(3)

and
Au

AQ (x/n -y/m)

cn1+ Cm + c

(4)

The following charges are transferred across the measuring impedances or to ground directly:

Fig. 7: directions of currents for pd between the testobjects of

branches 1 and 2
(negative sine-wave)
Characteristics see Fig. 1 and 3

lected compared with the quick transients between the three capacities. Furtheron the sine wave may be neglected compared with
the quick partial discharges, so that calculation of these quick
transients is based on the level of a constant negative voltage. CBI
consist of n equal capacities n. CBI in series, the partial discharge
occuring from x of these capacities in series against y capacities of
the m parts of CBZ. The quantity of charge from CBI to CB~ be
AQ. with the simplifying assumption, that no charges go directly
to ground. Below the various events are calculated separately first
of all.
If the capacities CBI and CBZ were on the high voltage side not
connected to each other and to the other capacities, then the voltage drop across the portion CBI . n/x - and if neglecting its
straycapacitance: also across CBI - and the voltageraise across
CBZ . m/~ and correspondingly across CB~ would be (in amounts
only):

13
Fig.8: Response of measuring instruments according to 191 a
and B-instrument

Would after this discharge the two capacities CBI and C ~2 be

connected with the sum of all straycapacities and with C4, which

von Cm:

AQ - Cm (AU1 - AU)

(5)

van cB2:

cB2

(AU + AUz) - AQ

(6)

von c:

C-3.

AU

(7)

Substituting the values from formulas (1) to (4) a sum of zero

results. If CBI discharges to ground instead to Csz, the formulas
(5) and (7) remain unchanged, for the charge from CBr comes:
C~2. AU
when

AU=

(8)

AQ xjrr
CBl+CIS2+C

For the special case, when

through A? goes the charge:

CBI

discnarges to the flange of C

c ~2. AU - AQ

~2,

(10)

If CBI discharges to CB~, then in most cases part of AQ will go

directly to ground, and AU will be between the values of (4) and
(9).
For the arrows in Fig. 3 to 7 the capacities C Bi, C ~2 and C are
assumed as approximately equal.
4. Applications
For bushings partial discharges in the dielectrtc can be distinguished from such of the grading foils to ground on behalf of the
appearance of the oscillogram. The impulsdirection- and sizecomparsion will prove this result according to Fig. 4 and 6.
For capacitors the appearance of the oscillograms also gives a
clear indication mostly, if there are discharges between the foils of
the windings. Discharges in the dielectric can be distinguished
from discharges from the active part to the tank by connecting
once the tank to ground and only the active part to the measuring
impedance and then by connecting both to the measuring impedance. The impulse directions are then once according Fig. 3 or 4
respectively and then 4, or in both cases according Fig. 4.
The methods for cables given in 191 (abbreviated in 141) can be
simplified, as comparative measurements at the cableends can be
performed quicker namely nearly simultaneously, by connecting
and disconnecting of measuring impedances. The distinction
between external and internal discharges is the same as said
above.
The recommendations of the working group 12 of CIGRE 171
can be supported and completed by the impulse-directionmethod.
When performing partial discharge measurements on transformers, measuring transformers and pd-tests in general the origin of
partial discharges can be confined by connecting parts - between
which pd are suspected - once commonly to one measuring impedance, and then to two different ones, or separately to ground.
Impulse directions and impulse ratios will be distinguishable according to Fig. 3 to 7. For all connections of a big tank to a measuring impedance the disturbance level may be increased so much.
that these measurements can only be performed in a shielded test
plant.

5. Final remark
The method of impulse direction combined with sizecomparison is not supposed to substitute recommendations of 151
or the general and special methods for the various apparatus. But
the impulse direction method with size comparison facilitates diagnosis. Certainly for finding out, if the partial discharges come in
fact from the testobject.

References
T. Praehauser: Ionisationsmessungen (Teilentladungsmessung) an Hochspannungsapparaten - eine Stiickpriifung. E und M 86 (1969) 5, S. 193 . .
201.
121 Mesure des dCcharges partielles. Publication de la CEI No. 270, 1970.
131 F. H. Kreuger: Dispositions recommandees pour 16talonnage et le coot&e

Ill

des circuits de dCtection des d&charges. Rapport CIGRE No. 21-01 Annexe
III, 1968.
141 T. Praehauser: Lokalisierung van Teilentladungen in Hochspannungsapparaten. Schwierigkeiten und Aufwand. Bull SEV63 (1972) 16, S. 893
905.
15 I F. H. Kreuger: Signification de la d6tection des d6charges. Electra (1969) 11,
p. 53 98.
161 F. H. Kruger: Discharge detection in high voltage equipment. London. Temple Press. 1964.
I71 Mesores de d&charges partielles dans les transformateurs. Electra (1971) 19.
p. 13 65.
181 F. H. Kreuger:The point discharge gap. Source of constant partial discharges.
Elektrotechniek 41 (1963) 16, p. 364 366.
191 G. Mole and F. H. Kreuger: Mesure des dtcharges SW les clbles de grande
longuehr. Electra (1969) 8, p. 53 82.
I101 T. Praehauser: Messungen van Ionisation an Kondensatoren. Bull. SEV 57
(1966) 16, S. 701 708 + 58 (1967) 2, S. 74.
Address of the author:
Dr. Thomas Pmehauser, Bereichsleiter fiir Priiffeld und fiir Qualitltsslcherung der
E. Haefely & Cie. AG, 4028 Basel.

1 HAEFELY 1
Emile Haefely & Co Ltd Base1 Post Office Box CH-4028 BasleISwitzerland Telephone 0614118 17

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