Low cost continuous montioring of Partial Discharge activity in MV substations

Enemalta, the electricity utility for Malta, has derived considerable benefit from the use of portable Partial Discharge (PD) detection equipment on its MV electricity distribution network. This paper describes a further development i.e. the application of a permanently or semi-permanently installed PD alarm system. This new technology found immediate application in the detection of intermittent PD activity. The results were corroborated by comparing it to an established PD monitor design.