The use of the CIGRE data format for PD diagnosis applications

A standardized format for partial discharge (PD) data recorded in gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) was proposed recently by a CIGRE Task Force (15.03.08). Being an open structure, the PD CIGRE data format can be used for all HV apparatus and equipment. Such a format is necessary to process PD measurements from any PD acquisition equipment by different PD analysis programs or expert systems. Furthermore, this format can decouple PD acquisition and PD evaluation. For easy handling, the PD data in the standardized format are encoded as plain ASCII text which can be processed by a text editor or a commercial spreadsheet program. In addition to an Electra publication where solely the structure of the data format is defined, this approach investigates the use of this format in practical PD applications. It discusses the options of the format and compares the diagnostic capability of different evaluation tools and gives examples. This discussion thus can assist a user to choose between the different graphs which are contemplated in the format.