Partial discharge severity assessment in cable system

The severity of partial discharge (PD) condition depends on the characteristics of the PD-producing defects, the insulating material in which PD occurs, the environment in which the cable system operates and the quality of insulation coordination applied to the cable system. Commercially available PD testing methods often provide only the magnitude of the PD pulses. The magnitude of the PD can not be used by itself to estimate the life expectancy of the cable and its accessories. Additional information is needed to determine the type of defect that produces such discharge. Several approaches that can aid in the PD severity assessments are presented in this paper. Advantages and disadvantages associated with each approach are also presented here