Electrical diagnostics for station equipment: the need for robust interpretation of monitoring data

The ability to analyze and interpret the data collected by a monitoring system is a key issue in achieving effective condition assessment of station equipment and providing valuable diagnostic information for maintenance programs. The identification of relevant failure mechanisms and selection of optimum diagnostic properties were illustrated for three types of station equipment, medium voltage cables, high voltage cables and gas insulated switchgear. The sensors and monitoring equipment used by OHT for each application were described along with their application under field condition, as either off-line or on-line instrumentation as appropriate. The underlying development programs performed in laboratory simulations for interpreting the monitoring data were presented.