The location of partial discharge sources in power cables: an on-line, low-cost solution

Owing to the safety and invisibility of underground power cables, they are adopted widely in urban areas. However, detecting a large number of underground power cables, situated in underground pipelines, is difficult, and frequently causes problems for power company staff. At present, partial discharge measurement is detection method with the greatest potential. The price of partial discharge sensors is very high. There is no doubt that it will cost a great deal to place sensors throughout the whole area of operation. The purpose of the project is to adopt the widespread and inexpensive use of four tinplates as capacitive type sensors Signals are then measured using digital oscilloscopes, and the data is then sent via LAN and analyzed by computer. Using pulse features, appropriate noise suppression methods and the parameters of partial discharge locations it will be possible to distinguish whether partial discharge sources are located in the area covered by the four sensors. The aim of this project is to assist engineers to solve this problem and to enhance the design of measuring equipment at the domestic level.