Assessing Test Data

Online partial discharge (PD) testing has been used for more than half a century to provide useful information for diagnosing and monitoring the integrity of stator winding insulation of large generators and motors. Interest in online PD detection and monitoring has as the technology, which was originally used on machines rated higher than 10,000 V, has expanded its application to the smaller, lower-voltage (e.g., 4,160 or 6,900 V) machines. However, questions remain on how to assess stator insulation problems using PD test data. This article documents the most recent developments in research and applicable guides and standards related to online PD monitoring on rotating machines.