Partial discharge development in needle-plane configuration of oil-paper insulation under AC voltage

Condition of insulation materials can be obtained by analyzing partial discharge (PD) characteristics since features of PD are closely related to it. In this paper, electrical deterioration caused by partial discharge of oil-paper insulation under long-term AC voltage is studied. Feature characteristics of PD, such as phase-resolved partial discharge analysis and equivalent time-frequency, were recorded during the test process. Electrical deterioration is divided into four stages: initial, develop, stagnation and erupt stage. Four stages are separated by pulse repetition rate and discharge magnitude of PD. In different deterioration stage, statistical characteristics of PD change significantly. Surface properties of pressboard in different deterioration stage were studied. Test results indicate that the depolarization of cellulose in pressboard is the main reason for development of partial discharge, and discharges occur in different position of pressboard in different deterioration stages.