Fair cancelled!Let’s meet up online.

Coiltech and CWIEME have been postponed to the beginning of the second half of the year. A tiny virus with a diameter of only 160 nm keeps the world under its spell.

We would have loved to show you our progress in the field of partial discharge testing in Ulm in a few weeks,
as it has become more accurate than ever before, due to the new antenna and the VoltageAnalyzer!

What advantages does the improved partial discharge test offer for you?

What is partial discharge or a partial discharge test anyway?

A full discharge is an electrical breakdown, often visible and audible – similar to lightning. In contrast, a partial discharge is only a very small partial breakdown in one part of the winding insulation. Over time, this partial breakdown, also known as partial discharge, leads to ever-increasing insulation damage, which in the worst case can extend to a total loss. This is exactly what must be avoided. The partial discharge test serves this purpose. It helps you identify potential total failures that may occur in the future.

Partial discharge test according to IEC 61934 and DIN EN 60034-18-41

The partial discharge test is used to check the winding quality of winding materials. It can be performed in combination with the high-voltage test (sinusoidal) as well as with the surge test. The main purpose of this test is to detect quality defects in windings which cannot be detected with the conventional high-voltage test or the surge test alone.

The measurement technology in combination with high-frequency filter technology makes the system extremely resistant to interference. The SCHLEICH solution is ideally suited for use in the field or in production.

The partial discharge measurement (filtering and analysis) is fully integrated in the MTC2/MTC3. Only the decoupling (measurement) of the actual partial discharge signal takes place outside the test device. This is necessary to make measurements as close as possible to the winding and to adapt optimally to the respective measurement situation. The test on an open stator winding is realized either with a highly sensitive measuring antenna or on a completely mounted motor with a special coupler. Both the antenna and the special coupler can optionally be connected to the MTC2/MTC3, making the optimally equipped for all measurement tasks.

The advances in the development of the antenna make the measuring system even more sensitive than ever before. Any partial discharge that occurs is clearly visible and has a sufficient signal-to-noise ratio.

KEY-FACTS

determination of the inrush and intermittent voltage according to IEC 61934
very high reproducibility thanks to special filter technology
special coupling technology for measuring fully assembled motors
extremely resistant to interference due to special, high-frequency filter technology
shielding of the testing area not mandatory – but optional
partial discharge test up to 25 kV
qualification of enamelled copper wires (twisted pair), enamel insulation and impregnation process
testing for frequency converter suitability

Partial discharge test on an open stator winding

The partial discharge measurement at an open stator winding is performed via a highly sensitive measuring antenna which is put inside the test object or placed as close as possible to the test object.

Partial discharge test for a fully assembled motor

The measuring at a completely assembled motor cannot be performed via an antenna, as the high-frequency signals are shielded by the closed motor cabinet. In these cases, measurements have to be performed via a special coupler which is attached to the measurung lead.

Partial discharge using the surge voltage

The test is performed either manually or fully automatically. In manual mode, the operator increases the voltage continuously while monitoring the partial discharge signal.

Automatic operation enables the analysis of all three phases fully automatically via a test sequence. The following values are determined per phase:

PDIV (Partial Discharge Inception Voltage)
PDEV (Partial Discharge Extinction Voltage)
RPDIV (Repetitive Partial Discharge Inception Voltage)
RPDEV (Repetitive Partial Discharge Extinction Voltage)

In this case it is also not necessary to run the full ramp. If it is necessary to quickly differentiate between “GO” and “NO GO” in production, it can be operated with a preset test voltage.

The following diagram shows the beginning of the surge voltage oscillation (yellow) and the partial discharge pulses (red).

Partial discharge test at HV-AC

The test is performed automatically via a test sequence set beforehand. A ramp function is applied, in which the test voltage is continuously increased. As soon as the first partial discharges occur, this voltage is stored as PDIV
(inception voltage).

Next, the voltage is reduced until the partial discharge disappears. This point is identified as PDEV (extinction voltage) and also stored. Due to preferably short test times in production, the partial discharge’s intensity can also be determined at a preset voltage. Thus it can be quickly distinguished between “GO” and “NO GO”.

In addition it is also possible to perform the test manually. Here the operator continuously increases the voltage while monitoring the partial discharge signal.

The VoltageAnalyzer – measuring accuracy at its best

The VoltageAnalyzer serves for measuring surge-voltage signals directly at the winding of the motor. The frequency response covers a range from DC up to very high pulse frequencies in the MHz-range. This makes the VoltageAnalyzer the ideal tool for high-precision surge voltage and partial discharge measurements.

With the VoltageAnalyzer, voltages and voltage peaks can be measured right where they occur, e.g. in the motor terminal board or directly at the winding connections.

Voltage measurement for surge voltage and partial discharge

It may happen that the voltage measured in the surge tester does not exactly match the voltage at the DUT. This is caused by the fact that the unavoidable lead inductances and capacitances between the test leads can have an effect on the voltage curve of the surge signal on its way to the DUT. This effect becomes more intense the steeper the surge pulse rises.

For example: In order to accurately measure the partial discharge inception voltage actually applied to the motor terminal board during a partial discharge test, it is necessary to measure directly at the terminal board using the VoltageAnalyzer.

KEY-FACTS

accurate surge measurement directly at the winding or at the motor terminal board
active test probe with integrated switch-over between three phases
potential-free voltage measurement
influences of the measuring line on the signal path are eliminated
accurate measurement of partial-discharge voltages – PDIV, RPDIV, PDEV, RPDEV
perfect for standard-compliant measurement according to DIN EN 60034-18-41:2014
detection and logging of pulse rise times

Partial discharge test on an open stator winding

For testing three-phase motors or stators quickly and without re-clamping, the VoltageAnalyzer has three test ports. These are connected directly to terminals U, V and W of the test object via the shortest possible test leads. The test-point switch-over between the three test connections in the VoltageAnalyzer is fully automated and synchronous with the surge test.