METHOD FOR MAINTAINING AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for maintaining an electrical component with an external insulator.

[0002] One such electrical component could be a surge arrester. A surge arrester typically comprises a resistive element connected between an electrical line operating at a potential greater than 1 kV and ground potential. The outer insulator encloses the resistive element and serves to electrically isolate it from its surroundings.

[0003] Another example of a suitable component is a support insulator for supporting an electrical installation, such as a switchgear or a high-voltage conductor.

[0004] The outer insulator may conveniently include insulator shields made of, for example, porcelain or silicone.

[0005] Component failures due to crossovers occur relatively rarely in substations, high-voltage direct current transmission systems, reactive power compensation systems, or similar equipment; however, a single incident can lead to system failure.

[0006] As part of maintenance, electrical components of the type mentioned above are typically inspected visually at regular intervals and cleaned as needed. Between maintenance visits, the state of component contamination remains largely unknown. Visual inspection is particularly inaccurate for composite insulators because these types of insulators can exhibit fluctuating hydrophobic properties. These hydrophobic properties can be influenced by rain of varying duration, discharges, and the regeneration properties of the silicone.

[0007] A monitoring device for monitoring the leakage current at a surge arrester is known from US 2012 / 0239321 11. The known device is designed to monitor the resumption of the leakage current after a surge arrester trip.

[0008] Methods for monitoring a leakage current are also known from JP 2000 091058 A, CN 108 761 293 A, US 2018 / 0017610 Al and US 2014 / 0176336 Al.

[0009] The object of the invention is to propose a suitable method that enables the most efficient possible maintenance of the electrical component and its most reliable operation.

[0010] The problem is solved by the features of independent claims 1 and 7. Preferred embodiments are the subject of dependent claims.

[0011] The problem is solved by storing a leakage current successively measured at the external insulator—that is, a temporal profile of the leakage current in a sequence of individual measurements—in the form of measurement data. The measured leakage current can be evaluated with regard to long-term trends and short-term events. Accordingly, it is checked whether the measurement data or derived quantities meet a predetermined condition. If the measurement data or the derived quantities meet the predetermined condition, a maintenance instruction is triggered. The leakage current can be measured using various measurement technologies. Appropriate sensors can be arranged on the external insulator, and the measurement data can be transmitted to a suitable receiver via cable or wirelessly. Within the scope of the invention, the leakage current can be determined by direct measurement data or, for example, by time- or location-averaged measurement data.Local averaging allows, for example, observations of leakage current at various insulators or components in a high-voltage system. This provides a picture of the overall contamination of the system, which can help identify outliers and / or avoid misinterpretations of the measured values. Such averaging has the advantage of reducing the amount of data to be transmitted. It is also conceivable to select the leakage current to be transmitted, at least before it is stored, in a suitable way to further reduce the data volume. The measurement data is appropriately stored successively in a chronological order on a storage medium of a data processing system (or distributed across several data processing systems). The reduction of numerous measurement data points to a few meaningful characteristic values ​​generally depends on the sampling rate of the available measuring instrument.At higher sampling rates, the leakage current can be sampled at a high frequency and, using a suitable algorithm in the measuring device or data processing center, reduced to, for example, the following data: number of threshold exceedances (e.g., 1, 5, 10, 20 mA) in a short time interval (e.g., 5 min); highest peak value over a short time interval (e.g., 5 min); average value over a short time interval (e.g., 5 min). As soon as the counts and measurements show no change or fall below a relevant threshold for several data records, the number of stored data records can be further reduced. The potentially already reduced measurement data is then successively stored in a chronological order on a storage medium of a data processing system (or distributed across several data processing systems). At lower sampling rates, the measured leakage current is suitably smoothed using analog methods (e.g.,...).(through an RC circuit) and only an average value is measured and transmitted.

[0012] The maintenance instruction can be given in any suitable manner, for example, audibly or visually. It preferably includes the result of the evaluation. The maintenance instruction might, for example, specify that the component be placed under special observation, the isolator be cleaned, or the component be replaced. The maintenance instruction can be given using a suitable display device, which, for example, is integrated into the data processing system. It is also conceivable that the maintenance instruction is sent to a mobile device, such as one owned by a person authorized to maintain the component, and which is capable of displaying the maintenance instruction.

[0013] The verification of whether the measurement data fulfills the predetermined condition is performed using a defined algorithm. The measurement data can form a time series that can be digitally analyzed. The predetermined condition can refer to individual data points of the measurement data (series) or to a subset of the measurement data. Specifically, it can be predetermined, for example, that the condition is fulfilled if a single data point or a certain number of threshold violations in the measurement data already meet the condition (e.g., if the data point is larger than a threshold value), or if an increase in the data values ​​(determined across multiple data points of the measurement data) exceeds a threshold value. In any case, the condition can be defined as a multi-level condition tree with interdependent queries.

[0014] A significant advantage of the invention is that the method according to the invention provides a continuous and precise assessment of the insulator's condition. This increases the overall reliability of the electrical component. At the same time, it enables simple and efficient maintenance and servicing of the electrical component. This largely eliminates the need for on-site assessment of the insulator's condition, allowing for maintenance and cleaning of the insulators as needed. Furthermore, the most unfavorable conditions rarely occur, and the likelihood of personnel conducting an inspection during precisely these critical weather events (i.e., the most unfavorable conditions) is low. Experience has shown that, for example, leakage current is strongest after a prolonged dry period without rain in summer and in the early morning when the electrical device is covered in condensation.Continuous leakage current measurement and monitoring, even during operation and under all occurring environmental conditions, is advantageous regardless of the insulator material (HTM / Non-HTM (Hydrophobicity Transfer Material)).

[0015] According to the invention, checking the measurement data against a predetermined condition includes verifying whether the measured values ​​reach or exceed a predetermined measurement data threshold (hereinafter also referred to as the measurement threshold). In the simplest case, the condition is defined by the measurement data threshold. Suitablely, it is therefore checked whether a single data point or data value of the measurement data reaches or exceeds the measurement data threshold. Alternatively, the condition can be directed at whether a sequence of measurement data values ​​(a time-limited subset of the measurement data) reaches or exceeds the measurement data threshold. Exceeding the respective measurement data threshold is counted. A weighting of the counted and measured values ​​can be adjusted by evaluating the sub-conditions: voltage waveform (AC / DC); insulator design (e.g., diameter, shield shape); environmental conditions (e.g.,General weather conditions, dew formation, proximity to the sea); specific stress load (stress per unit length). In this case, it is avoided that individual outliers could falsely trigger the maintenance instruction. Checking whether the measurement data threshold has been reached or exceeded can be one of several sub-conditions of the predetermined condition.

[0016] According to the invention, the measurement threshold is a current threshold. In this case, the measurement threshold is directly defined by a current value. This reduces or even eliminates the need for complex processing of the measurement data for verification. The current threshold lies between 1 mA and 20 mA (peak value). Frequent leakage current peaks >1 mA, infrequent leakage current peaks >10 mA, and a 5-minute average >1 mA can indicate the need for maintenance. Our own investigations have shown that a leakage current across the external insulator within the aforementioned range can indicate the need for maintenance. In particular, under normal circumstances, where no maintenance is required, leakage currents below 1 mA are present. Therefore, if the measured leakage currents are below 1 mA, it is conceivable that no further action is necessary (for the time being).

[0017] Preferably, the method is multi-stage, in which the measurement data or the derived quantity is checked against an additional predetermined condition. For example, several (partial) conditions can be defined that must be cumulatively fulfilled. In this way, the reliability of the method can be further increased.

[0018] Preferably, the additional condition includes reaching or exceeding a further measurement data threshold. This further measurement data threshold allows for the consideration of other relevant factors that can be incorporated into the further measurement data threshold.

[0019] It is also conceivable to link the counting of threshold events with highest peak value and mean value and the sub-conditions (the additional conditions) using weighted factors.

[0020] According to the invention, the level of the operating voltage of the electrical component is taken into account when checking for a predetermined condition. The operating voltage is a measure of the stress on the electrical component and thus a factor in maintenance. The type of operating voltage (AC or DC) has a significant influence. With DC loads, greater dirt accumulation is possible due to the static field. Furthermore, discharges at DC voltages generally last longer because the zero crossing required for discharge extinguishment is absent. The type (AC or DC) and level of the voltage are considered in the form of a factor with which the measurement data is combined (for example, by multiplication) before a comparison with one of the measurement data thresholds is performed.

[0021] Advantageously, an insulator design is taken into account when checking for a predetermined condition. Within the scope of the invention, the insulator design determines a form factor of the insulator profile, for example, the profile of the insulator shields. By considering the insulator design, one or more of the following parameters are taken into account: a creepage distance of the insulator surface (also called thread length), a shield projection of insulator shields, a shield inclination of insulator shields, a shield spacing between individual insulator shields, and a diameter of the insulator. Considering these parameters advantageously increases the accuracy of the measurement data analysis. The insulator design can be taken into account by a corresponding additional factor, for example, a multiplicative one, which is linked to the measurement data.

[0022] Preferably, when checking for a predetermined condition, at least one environmental condition at the insulator is taken into account. Experience has shown that environmental conditions, or even multiple environmental conditions, influence the operation and stress on the electrical component, so considering them increases the reliability of the method. Environmental conditions can include rainfall, the length of a dry period, wind, dew, fog, and / or temperature. The environmental conditions can also be taken into account by an additional factor, such as a multiplicative one, which is linked to the measurement data. If necessary, the urgency with which cleaning is recommended could be reduced if a certain cleaning effect is expected after a prolonged dry period and the first onset of rain.

[0023] Suitablely, it is checked whether the measurement data or the value derived from it meets a number of predetermined conditions, with each condition being assigned a separate maintenance instruction that is triggered when the assigned condition is met. Thus, several conditions are defined, each with its own maintenance instruction. For example, fulfilling a first condition might require the maintenance instruction to place the component under special observation; a second condition might require cleaning the component or the outer insulator; a third condition might require reducing the operating voltage or replacing the component, coating it with silicone (e.g., RTV silicone), and so on.

[0024] The invention further relates to a data processing system.

[0025] The object of the invention is to propose a data processing system by means of which efficient maintenance of an electrical component is made possible.

[0026] The problem is solved according to the invention by a data processing system which is set up to carry out a method according to the invention.

[0027] The advantages of the data processing system according to the invention arise in particular from the advantages that have already been described in connection with the method according to the invention.

[0028] The invention will be further explained below with reference to an embodiment shown in the figure.

[0029] The figure shows an embodiment of a method according to the invention in a schematic flowchart. The method described below can be partially carried out within the measuring device itself. This reduces the amount of data to be transmitted.

[0030] In the first step of process 101 of process 100 of the figure, a measured leakage current in the form of a sequence of tuples consisting of a time value and a current value is stored in a memory of the measuring device of a data processing system (e.g., a server). The leakage current is measured as a leakage current flowing through an external insulator of an electrical component and transmitted wirelessly to a receiving component of the data processing system.

[0031] In a second process step 102, it is checked whether the measurement data or a current data value is above a first measurement data threshold of 1 mA (peak value). If this is not the case, a third process step 103 outputs information indicating that no further action is currently necessary.

[0032] If the check in step 102 shows that the first measurement data threshold has been exceeded, a fourth procedure step 104 checks whether the first measurement threshold has also been exceeded after a critical weather event (such as a drought lasting one month).

[0033] If this is the case, a fifth process step 105 checks whether the measurement data falls below a second measurement data threshold of 5 mA (peak value). If so, process step 103 is executed. If the check in process step 104 or process step 105 yields a negative result, a sixth process step 106 evaluates the insulation design and the level of the operating voltage. Depending on the evaluation, a factor is determined, which can have a value of one or greater. The measurement data are then multiplied by this dimensionless factor, resulting in a comparative value. The more unfavorable the properties of the insulator design and the stress on the electrical component under consideration, the higher the factor is set.In particular, if the verification in procedure step 104 or procedure step 105 yields a negative result, a sixth procedure step, 106, is performed to weight the measurement data. Here, the number of threshold exceedances (1, 5, 10, 20 mA), the highest peak value, and the mean value within the measurement interval are weighted and combined into a higher-level hazard factor, which is then graphically displayed (trend line / histogram). Weighting can also be performed if only parts of the aforementioned measurement data are available. The other specified sub-conditions (type of voltage, insulator design, etc.) are also factored into the hazard factor.

[0034] The hazard factor, expressed as a percentage, indicates the vulnerability of the insulator to contamination and leakage current. A value of 100% represents a condition in which the insulator is on the verge of flashover. Subsequently, in a seventh process step (107), it is checked whether the reference value (hazard value) is below 30%. If so, the third process step (103) is carried out. If not, and the reference value (hazard value) does not exceed 70%, then in an eighth process step (108), a maintenance instruction is issued, according to which the insulator should be placed under special observation. At the same time, a further evaluation is carried out to determine how often and for how long the reference value remains above 30%.

[0035] In a ninth process step 109, it is checked whether the reference value is above 70%. If so, and if the reference value does not exceed 90%, a maintenance instruction is issued in a tenth process step 110, according to which the insulator should be cleaned promptly.

[0036] In an eleventh process step, 111, it is checked whether the hazard level is above 90%. If so, a maintenance instruction is issued in a twelfth process step, 112, indicating that prompt cleaning is necessary and that the operating voltage should be reduced at the electrical component under certain climatic conditions (e.g., morning dew, fog, heavy rain, etc.) to reduce its stress. If the 90% hazard level recurs frequently, a silicone coating of the insulator or replacement of the insulator (with possible design modifications) should be considered.

[0037] The maintenance instructions are displayed visually by means of a corresponding text. The data processing system is equipped with a suitable display for this purpose.

Claims

1. A method for maintaining an electrical component with an external insulator, wherein - a leakage current successively measured at the external insulator is stored in the form of measurement data, - it is checked whether the stored measurement data or variables derived therefrom satisfy a predetermined condition, - if the measurement data or the derived variables satisfy the predetermined condition, a maintenance instruction is triggered, characterised in that checking the measurement data for the predetermined condition comprises checking whether the measurement values reach or exceed a predetermined measurement data threshold, wherein the measurement data threshold is a current threshold, wherein the current threshold is between 1 mA and 20 mA, wherein, when checking for the predetermined condition, the type and level of an operating voltage of the electrical component are taken into account, wherein the type and level of the operating voltage are taken into account in the form of a factor with which the measurement data are linked before a comparison with one of the measurement data thresholds takes place.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is multi-stage, wherein the measurement data or the derived variable are checked for an additional predetermined condition.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the additional condition comprises exceeding a further measurement data threshold.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an insulator design is taken into account when checking for the predetermined condition.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an environmental condition on the insulator is taken into account when checking for the predetermined condition.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein it is checked whether the measurement data or the variable derived therefrom satisfy a plurality of predetermined conditions, wherein a separate maintenance instruction is assigned to each condition, which is triggered when the assigned condition is present.

7. A data processing system, which is configured to carry out a method according to claims 1 to 6.