Partial discharge simulation under various applied voltage waveforms

In high voltage power equipment, partial discharge (PD) measurement is widely used in the performance assessment of an insulation system. However, from modelling of PD, a better understanding of the phenomenon may be attained. PD activity within a void in a solid dielectric insulation material is influenced by many factors. One of the factors is the applied voltage. Different types of the applied voltage yield in different PD patterns and the condition for breakdown of insulation to occur. In this work, PD activity under various types of the applied voltages has been studied. A finite element analysis (FEA) software was used to simulate PD occurrence within a void in a dielectric material. The applied voltages that were considered are AC sinusoidal, damped AC and impulse voltages. PD patterns were observed through phase resolved partial discharge (PRPD) patterns. The obtained result may improve an understanding on PD behaviour under different types of the applied voltage. It may also assist in insulation diagnostics and performance assessment of an insulation system.