Time domain analysis of partial discharges envelope in medium voltage XLPE cables

• A new technique to measure partial discharges using low-cost broadband sensors.
• This model allows to distinguish among different types of PD that seem identical.
• We show that the PD envelope can be used to estimate the location of the PD source.
• A location error deviation of 1 m can be achieved using the proposed algorithm.

Partial discharge (PD) analysis has been widely used to detect premature degradation of power cables. Although there are recognized techniques for PD analysis, there is still lack of knowledge about measuring and modeling this phenomenon.This paper proposes a new model based on time domain parameters of the PD signal envelope. The proposed variables (time duration, and rising and falling slopes of the envelopes), together with conventional PD analyses focused on PD amplitude and phase resolved patterns, will provide a better understanding of this phenomenon. Based on this model, a new technique to reshape the PD signal envelope is also proposed that compensates the negative effect of dispersion in the location techniques that estimate the time of arrival (TOA).Experimental results were obtained in the lab, where a power cable has been artificially damaged in order to produce PD. To this end, a specific PD on-line acquisition system has been developed. In the first set of experiments, we illustrate how the cable attenuates and disperses the PD signal envelope. In the second one, we show how the proposed variables are useful to distinguish among different types of PD sources. Finally, an accurate estimation of the PD source location is achieved by measuring the time of arrival of the PD signal envelopes at both cable ends, and reshaping one of the signals captured. This technique improves the accuracy of the estimated location of the PD sources, both in simulation and in experimental results.