Abstract
In order to improve the reliability of high voltage rotating machines and mold transformers, it is necessary to understand the breakdown mechanism and life assessment of the high voltage winding parts. Especially the on-line PD test provides the ability to monitor effects, such as slot discharge, internal discharge, and end-winding discharge without interrupting the electrical machines, this method has been proven the major testing technology. Capacitive couplers have been the most widely used sensors for the on-line partial discharge detection in rotating machines nowadays. This paper deals with the electrical characteristics and long-term reliability of a ceramic coupler(CC), which can be easily mounted into high voltage input terminal part, has been developed and tested to continuously measure PD activity during operating condition. This paper presents electrical characteristics (dielectric loss angle, capacitance, PD inception level, breakdown voltage, and frequency response bandwidth) and long-term life test result of the developed 6.6 kV class on-line ceramic coupling sensor. It was found that this sensor had good electrical characteristics to detect PD activity during the operating condition with its detection frequency band is between several and several tens MHz. Also, the voltage life of the 6.6kV class ceramic coupler was calculated over 60 years.
