Centralized Voltage Measurement for GIS Partial Discharge Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for monitoring partial discharges in gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) are complex and expensive, requiring decentralized voltage measurement and signal recording, which can lead to inaccurate synchronization and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

A centralized voltage measurement system is used to record the electrical voltage on GIS equipment, with internal and external antennas receiving electromagnetic signals. Time stamps are provided for both the voltage measurements and the electromagnetic signals, allowing for precise overlay and evaluation of partial discharge events using a point-on-wave procedure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If decentralized voltage measurement and signal recording are used for each acquisition unit, then partial discharge detection can be performed at multiple locations, but the system complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepartial discharge detection capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple decentralized voltage measurement functions into a single centralized voltage measurement unit. Instead of each acquisition unit having its own voltage converter and measurement system, one centralized unit measures the voltage and distributes the sinusoidal reference signal to all acquisition units via a communication network. This merging approach maintains comprehensive monitoring capability while significantly reducing system complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If decentralized voltage measurement is implemented at each acquisition unit, then local phase information can be obtained, but synchronization accuracy deteriorates due to multiple independent measurement systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephase information accuracyVSAvoidsynchronization accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the measurement function: centralized voltage measurement provides the reference sinusoidal signal, while decentralized acquisition units provide local electromagnetic signal detection. The centralized unit performs voltage measurement and generates phase reference, which is then distributed to all acquisition units. This segmentation allows each unit to perform its specialized function while maintaining synchronized phase information across the entire system through the shared reference signal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Quantity of substance

If multiple decentralized voltage converters are used for each phase and location, then complete voltage monitoring is achieved, but the cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring coverageVSAvoidnumber of voltage converters
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The centralized voltage measurement unit serves multiple functions: it measures the voltage for all phases, generates the sinusoidal reference signal, provides phase information to all acquisition units, and enables point-on-wave analysis for the entire GIS system. This single multi-functional unit replaces what would otherwise require multiple dedicated voltage converters at each location, reducing both cost and complexity while maintaining complete monitoring coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach simplifies and cost-reduces the monitoring of partial discharges by eliminating the need for multiple decentralized voltage converters and improving synchronization accuracy, enabling more efficient detection and analysis of partial discharge events.

Implementation Method 1

internal and external antennas receiving electromagnetic signals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

Time stamps are provided for both the voltage measurements and the electromagnetic signals, allowing for precise overlay and evaluation of partial discharge events

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTime stamping:

Data Source

PatentEP3658927B1Method and combination for detecting partial discharges of an electrical operating device
Publication Date: 2025.04.09 SIEMENS ENERGY GLOBAL GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3658927B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3658927B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3658927B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for detecting partial discharges of an electrical operating device (80), wherein electromagnetic signals (9) are captured at different positions of the operating device (80) in a decentralized manner by means of a plurality of sensor apparatuses (97-102), characterized in that a sinusoidal phase progression (2) is centrally determined for a voltage (94-96) by means of a voltage-measuring assembly (3), and at least one phase point characterizing the phase progression is provided with a time stamp (t0,t1) by means of a reference assembly (5), and the electromagnetic signals (9) are each provided with a time stamp by means of a time stamp assembly (103), and a partial discharge signal is determined in each of the electromagnetic signals (9) by means of an evaluation assembly (10), and the at least one time stamp (t0,t1) of the characterizing phase point and the time stamps of the partial discharge signals are taken into consideration by means of the evaluation assembly (10) in a superposition (12) of the sinusoidal phase progression (2) with the partial discharge signals. The invention further relates to an assembly for detecting partial discharges of an electrical operating device.