Practical Installation and Commissioning of an Online Partial-Discharge Monitoring System for Rotating Machines

Rotating machines (RMs) are part of everyday life, both as motors and generators, big and small. Generally large rotating machines operate at voltages that will allow the inception and evolution of partial discharges (PDs), mainly in their stator bars, but also in other parts i.e., terminations. Rotating machines operating above several kilovolts (6.6kV, 13.8kV, etc.) deserve careful monitoring since they are part of essential processes. Online partial discharge monitoring is a helpful tool to identify the PD defect type and potential risks. Proper application of partial discharge on-line monitoring systems allows to keep track of ongoing degradation processes within the insulation system as well as ensuring the system availability. In this context online PD monitoring can be regarded as a pre-warning system in case of mechanical or electrical degradation of the insulation system. This paper will discuss the installation, setup, commissioning, and parameter setting for continuous measurement of a rotating machine partial discharge signature.