Initial experience in the Snowy Mountains Scheme with the PDA and installation and use of permanent capacitive couplers on hydro generators

The author describes the initial experiences of the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Authority with Ontario Hydro partial discharge analyzer (PDA) technology. The factors necessitating modification of the standard XLPE (cross-linked polyethylene) cable coupler and its installation method are described. Some initial PDA test measurement results and their interpretation are presented. Comparisons are made between PDA and other discharge detector measurements. The significant improvement in the Authority's knowledge of the condition of its generator stator windings as a result of initial PDA measurements is noted, and it is concluded that PDA condition monitoring will be an important tool in future maintenance strategic planning in the Snowy Mountains Scheme.<>