Proceedings Article | 28 May 2020
Proc. SPIE. 11388, Image Sensing Technologies: Materials, Devices, Systems, and Applications VII
KEYWORDS: Infrared cameras, Thermography, Mid-IR, Cameras, Electrodes, Ceramics, Dielectrics, Manufacturing, Diagnostics, Warning signs
High voltage electrical failures are dangerous and costly events in any type of power system. The troubleshooting and diagnostic time required to identify and locate these failures can be significant. Partial discharge is one of the early warning signs for electrical degradation. In insulation systems, partial discharge typically occurs in voids located within the dielectric, at material interfaces, or along energized electrode surfaces. Effective methods for finding this failure precursor enabling circumvention of future catastrophic events are highly valuable as successful detection can improve safety, reduce service interruptions, and result in significant financial savings. Challenges arise when these events are obstructed from a direct line of sight (which is common in compact electrical systems). Conventional electrical partial discharge measurements capable of diagnosing concealed defects based on phased resolved partial discharge (PRPD) patterns require coupling devices physically connected to the circuit. This paper presents a non-invasive, real-time, method to detect and locate partial discharge and faulty insulation with potential for automated quality control of in-factory manufactured products and in-service operational devices, in contrast to post-failure assessment. This paper will cover both Alternating Current (AC), previous research, and Direct Current (DC), new research, detection methods and results.
