Improved identification level for defects generating partial discharges in solid insulation systems

Partial discharge analysis should provide a detailed description of insulation defects to ascertain failure risk accurately. The authors have devised previously a fuzzy tool that identifies fundamental properties of discharges generated by defects, i.e., internal, surface or corona discharges. This paper describes a new fuzzy inference engine that is aimed at deciding whether an internal cavity is close to an electrode and, in any particular case, which electrode (high or low voltage). A physical explanation of the rules used to build the fuzzy engine is provided, then examples of application to real apparatus containing artificial defects are shown.