This book introduces the reader to the major components of a high voltage system and the different insulating materials applied in particular equipments. During a review of these materials, measurable properties suitable for condition assessment are identified. Analyses are included of some of the insulation fault scenarios that may occur in power equipment. The basic facilities for carrying out tests on the internal and external insulation structures at high and low voltages are described. Tests and measurements according to specifications, on-site requirements and research investigations are considered.Advances in the application of digital techniques for detection and analyses of partial discharges are discussed and methods in use, or under development, for service condition monitoring are described. These include the utilisation of new sensors, the solution of online problems associated with noise rejection and the adaptation of artificial intelligence techniques for incipient fault diagnosis.

Table of Contents

Introduction; Insulating materials utilized in power-system equipment; Introduction to electrical insulation design concepts; Insulation defects in power-system equipment: Part I; Insulation defects in power-system equipment: Part 2; Basic methods for insulation assessment; Established methods for insulation testing of specific equipment; Sensors for insulation condition monitoring; Online insulation condition monitoring techniques; Artificial-intelligence techniques for incipient fault diagnosis and condition assessment; Appendices.

About the Author

Ron James is a pioneer in digital partial discharge detection. For a number of years he was active within CIGRE as Convener of the Australian Panel on Insulating Materials and of an international Working Group. Qi Su worked as a senior lecturer and later Associate Professor at Monash University. He is now a Professor at the Petroleum Institute, UAE and a member of CIGRE SC A2.