IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON POWER DELIVERY, VOL. 18, NO.

4, OCTOBER 2003

1187

High-Voltage Onsite Commissioning Tests for

Gas-Insulated Substations Using UHF Partial
Discharge Detection
Raymond Bell, Chris Charlson, Shaun Paul Halliday, Terry Irwin, Jose Lopez-Roldan, Member, IEEE, and John Nixon

AbstractThis paper describes the practical application of

the ultra-high-frequency (UHF) partial discharge (PD) detection
method which VA TECH Reyrolle has routinely applied to
high-voltage onsite commissioning tests on gas-isulated substations (GISs) for more than 10 yr. The location of the PD sensors
has a significant effect on the sensitivity of the UHF method, and
research has been undertaken to quantify the parameters which
affect this (i.e., attenuation, GIS geometry, etc.). Verifying the
correct operation of the detection system and its sensitivity is
a crucial step to prepare for a high-voltage (HV) test. In order
to do this, special test equipment has been developed to ensure
that all of the cabling, connections, etc., attached to the detection
equipment are correct and that the detection level of the couplers
is confirmed. Finally, the paper discusses IEC 60517 (general
guidelines for GIS HV testing), its most usual interpretation, and
how the application of the UHF technique can transform this
interpretation.
Index TermsGas-insulated substations (GISs), high-voltage
testing, partial discharge, substation commissioning test, UHF.

I. INTRODUCTION

AS-INSULATED substations (GISs) are generally

assembled under controlled procedures onsite. However,
internal defects, which may affect the dielectric strength of the
GIS, may still occur. Experience shows that most flashovers
occur during the initial operational phase, which points to
the importance of having a reliable method of detecting these
defects during the high-voltage (HV) commissioning tests.
It is well understood that particulate contamination can cause
faults in GIS and the risk of flashover is related to the particle
size, shape, location, and applied voltage. It is therefore preferable, if particulate contamination is present, that it be detected
by the onsite HV test during the commissioning phase of the
GIS installation.
HV site tests are carried out in accordance with IEC 60 517
[1], which recommends two basic test procedures.
1) power frequency test at 80% of the factory routine test;
2) impulse tests at a level equivalent to 80% of the rated
withstand voltage.
The Reyrolle HV test method consists of a combined power
frequency voltage test and a partial discharge (PD) detection
procedure. During the HV site test, the GIS is scanned for ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) voltage signals which are known to be
Manuscript received August 7, 2000.
The authors are with VA TECH Reyrolle, Reyrolle, U.K.
Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/TPWRD.2002.803690

generated by partial discharges [2]. The detection procedure was

adopted, primarily to locate particulate contamination but will
of course locate other sources of partial discharge. In the last
10 yr, more than 200 bays of EHV GIS have been commissioned, using the combined ac power frequency test and PD detection procedure and has meant the development of special test
equipment capable of automatic detection of UHF PD signals.
In some instances, substations have been additionally installed
with this detection equipment configured as a permanent, continuous PD monitoring system in order to provide in-service PD
information online.
II. HISTORY
The first application of the UHF technique was as a commissioning procedure and, in particular, an integral part of the HV
test. The objective of applying this technique was to reduce commissioning time by identifying and locating any defect in order
to minimize or eliminate HV test flashovers.
Initially, the procedure was carried out using a metal-clad test
transformer, connected at the line-entry bushings, with the GIS
sectionalized for test (100 m of busbar with three CB bays).
Typically, four test sections per phase were required with approximately five couplers monitored on each test section using
one spectrum analyzer. This procedure was later modified using
a series resonant test set which allowed a complete substation
phase to be tested (approx. 600 m of busbar with 20 CB bays).
However, the monitoring procedure now required the simultaneous use of four spectrum analyzers, each monitoring up to
eight couplers.
The spectrum-analyzer approach was used for UHF signal
detection in the early 1990s, but as test sections were increased to reduce the number of test voltage applications and
commissioning time, the monitoring procedure became more
involved and complicated. It also meant that when switching
between each of the monitoring points, very intermittent PD
sources could go undetected since less than 20% of the test
section could be continuously monitored. Portable monitoring
equipment was therefore developed using the experience
gained from the first continuous in-service UHF monitoring
system installed in 1991 in the United Kingdom, which could
continuously monitor more than 100 detectors with a 1-s update
[3]. The sensitivity of the monitor was such that 1-mm moving
particles could be instantaneously detected at any point on the
test circuit and located within 10 m of any detector location [4].
This was usually sufficient to identify the particular gas zone

0885-8977/02$17.00 2003 IEEE

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Fig. 1.

IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON POWER DELIVERY, VOL. 18, NO. 4, OCTOBER 2003

Typical coupler locations.

Fig. 2. Coupler locations in a 420-kV GIS ().

but more accurate location techniques [to within 3 m] could

be additionally used where necessary, if the location spanned
more than one gas zone.
III. SENSOR LOCATION: EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL COUPLER
The UHF signals generated by PD can be detected by sensors placed inside the GIS chambers or by sensors placed at appropriate locations on the outside of the chambers. The plate
type internal coupler was developed for use on inspection hatch
covers where the electrode profile would not interfere with the
electric field requirements of the equipment.
External couplers have also been developed which can be applied at discontinuities in the chamber wall (i.e., inspection windows and sandwiched cast resin barrier flanges). Both the internal and external couplers will detect frequencies in the range
of 10 to 1800 MHz with the internal couplers providing, in
some cases, better screening from external interference. However, where necessary, the external couplers can be made frequency selective by filtering and/or tuning.
Early laboratory investigations with UHF signal propagation
indicated very low attenuation in GIS; however, in practical substation arrangements, this was found not to be the case and initial
estimates suggested an average attenuation of 2.5 dB/m. However, more detailed analysis of the attenuation process, in relation to the GIS geometry, revealed specific attenuation of elbow
and tee arrangements along with barriers, circuit breakers, and
straight busbar runs.
In order to maintain a high sensitivity to the UHF PD signals,
the attenuation characteristics have determined a typical coupler spacing of 20 to 30 m (typical busbar route length), but depending on the busbar arrangement, the spacing may vary. This
spacing, of course, will also vary, depending on the design of the
GIS and detector. Better use of the couplers can be obtained by
selecting appropriate tee sections on double busbar arrangements, for example. Typically, two three-phase sets of couplers
will be required for each circuit breaker bay (Fig. 1).
A 12-bay 420-kV GIS would typically be equipped with 30
three-phase sets of UHF detectors (i.e., 30 monitoring points per
phase (Fig. 2).
IV. UHF SENSITIVITY CHECKS
A. Detection Sensitivity
The detection sensitivity, for the purpose of HV onsite tests,
has been selected to provide indication only if the PD signal
from the coupler exceeds a signal level in the range 75 to 70
dBm (0 dBm 224 mV). Fig. 3 shows the relationship between

Fig. 3.

Particle size and UHF signal level.

Fig. 4. Pulse waveform for PD simulation.

particle size and the UHF signal level and indicates that the monitoring system will detect moving particles in the range of 1 to
2 mm at a distance of 20 m from the coupler. Site experience
has also shown that the detection level is above the majority of
interference signals that may be generated in the substation and
will therefore reduce spurious PD alarms during the test period.
B. Pulse Injection
When preparing to carry out the HV tests, it is necessary to
verify the correct operation of the PD detection system. This is
best carried out by using a pulse injection procedure [3] which
can use either an external coupling device to inject PD type signals into the GIS at discontinuities in the chambers or by using
the installed internal couplers. This method ensures that all cabling connections to the detection equipment are correct and allows the detection level of the installed detectors to be verified.
A pulse generator was developed for this purpose in order to
mimic signals produced by partial discharge in GIS. The characteristic of the pulse-wave shape was such that it would generate frequencies in the range of several tens of megahertz to
above 1000 MHz [5]. Fig. 4 shows the Pulse waveshape, and

BELL et al.: ONSITE COMMISSIONING TESTS USING UHF PARTIAL DISCHARGE DETECTION

Fig. 5.

Simulated signal spectrum.

Fig. 5 shows the associated signal spectrum, which would typically represent that from a 3 5-mm particle. From earlier work
[6], it was found that a moving 2-mm particle gives a 50-dBm
signal a discharge level of approximately 5 pC (Fig. 3).
From a risk of flashover point of view, tests on 420-kV GIS
have shown that particles in the 10-mm range will cause a
flashover with an applied voltage in the range of 320 to 380
kV. Free moving particles have been observed in service and
present extremely low risk if they are less than 3 mm. When
particles are detected during an HV test, it is normal that
the chamber is degassed, inspected, and any contamination
removed.
There may be instances where the PD signal is not due to
contamination, and each case has to be investigated on its own
merits. However, a source UHF signal level of 55 dBm or
less can be considered sufficiently low at 1.1 nominal phase
voltage to make it difficult to see any evidence of PD activity
and it can be considered as acceptable if an investigation reveals
nothing visible.
V. IEC 60 517
The clause 7.107.1 and annex CC of the IEC 60 517 [1] define
the general guidelines of GIS HV testing. The test procedure described in the standard was set before the general acknowledgment of new diagnostic techniques as the UHF method.
A. Basis of the Procedure
The only recognized method for PD detection was the
classical electric method, according to the IEC 270, which can
achieve high sensitivity for factory or laboratory tests on GIS
assemblies.
The sensitivity of this method can be reduced onsite because the test sections may be extensive and PD location is not
possible with this method.
Electrical conditioning: This means a progressive application of an ac voltage, either by steps or continuously, in order to
move metal particles to low-field areas.
Conditioning disruptive discharges: Defects such as
metallic particles are assumed to be destroyed by disruptive
discharges in the case that the tested section withstands a
second voltage application.
Breakdown in self-restoring and nonself restoring insulation: This changes depending on the users criteria. According to

1189

the standard, a flashover on the epoxy spacer should be considered nonself restoring insulation. Then, after the breakdown,
the compartment of the test section should be opened and the
insulation carefully inspected. After taking any necessary remedial action, the compartment should then be subjected to the dielectric test once more.
In practice, on most occasions, a breakdown in the gas cannot
be distinguished from a flashover along the spacer surface, particularly if a particle was involved. It is then quite usual to consider the first disruptive discharge as a self-restoring discharge
unless a second, consecutive breakdown occurs. In that case, the
standard advises to inspect all of the compartments involved in
the test and to find the reason for the discharge.
As a consequence, in order to reduce the chance of consecutive F.O with its consequent investigation, the test sections are
made as short as possible. For instance, if the test area is divided
in 60 section, it can be argued that it is possible to have up to
60 disruptive discharges in the GIS without being requested to
do any internal inspection. However, if all of the area is tested
at once, only one breakdown is allowed in a specific area, providing that conclusive proof can be given that the same problem
did not cause the second flashover, which is very difficult.
It has been frequently found that spacers marked by
flashovers have gone undetected and are in service on numerous GIS.
In most situations, the unique criterion for the presence of a
defect is a flashover during test. Although one may consider that
the majority of free particles, which do not lead to breakdown
during test will not cause any problem during service, a certain
amount of them could become dangerous if they move toward
critical locations in GIS.
Using the lightning impulse to gain more confidence can
be difficult to implement onsite.
B. Changes in the Test Procedure Provided by the UHF
Method:
Electrical conditioning: The efficiency of the location and
identification of the PD source makes it possible to resolve the
problem at a low test voltage before any risk of breakdown.
Undesirable conditioning disruptive discharges can be
avoided.
It is possible to monitor larger test sections with a single
voltage application. This considerably reduces the commissioning time and the number of test voltage applications on
common test sections of the GIS, for example, on HV test
voltage injection points on line feeders.
In the event of a flashover, for example where PD inception
and flashover levels are very close, it allows for the location of
the problem area because the preflashover PD information is
available.
VI. HV TEST PROCEDURE
The HV test performed by Reyrolle consists of the application of a power frequency voltage at 80% of the factory routine
test level for 1 min to as much of the solid insulation as can be
practically achieved.

1190

The exceptions are

large inductive loads (power transformers and reactors);
large capacitive loads (power cables);
surge arrestors.
As test transformers have increased in capacity from 7 to 33
nf for resonant tests, larger sections of GIS, containing hundreds
of meters of GIS trunking, can be tested simultaneously.
Although a significant technical and commercial advantage in
terms of time and design considerations, multiple test failures,
which represent potential future problems, within such large
sections would entail many hours of investigation and corrective action.
At the same time, not all of the future problems may be discovered through flashovers.
Therefore, it is essential to adopt and implement a reliable and
efficient discharge detection and location system during the HV
test. We consider the UHF technique to be the optimum system.
Prior to the voltage application, we distribute, along the test
section, several internal or external UHF sensors and we connect them to a portable PD monitoring system. We check the
sensitivity of the detection system as already explained and we
verify through pulse injection that the entire test section is covered.
Then, we can start to apply the voltage in steps, checking for
PD at each stop.
If no PD is detected, we continue increasing the voltage up
to the full test voltage and, after 1 min, the test is considered
successful if the voltage has been withstood.
As an example, in the case of a 420-kV GIS, the factory test
level is 520-kV root mean square (RMS), and the site test is
performed at 416 kV. The voltage is raised in steps of approximately 90-kV rms.
In the case of detecting PD from one or several couplers, the
procedure is as follows:
1) Localize and identify the source.
2) Open the compartment and remove the defect.
3) Reapply voltage.
It is normal that when particles are detected during the HV
test that the chamber is degassed, inspected, and any contamination be removed. There may be instances where the PD signal
is not due to contamination and each case has to be investigated
on its own merits. However, a source UHF signal level of 55
dBm or less can be considered sufficiently low at 1.1 nominal phase voltage to make it difficult to see any evidence of PD
activity and can be considered as acceptable if an investigation
reveals nothing visible. This means that we have to add the attenuation of the signal from the source to the detection system.
When the voltage is closer to the maximum test level, the
time between PD inception and FO is reduced, and there is
little margin to detect the defect (for instance, the case of a particle leaving suddenly from a low-field area). In this situation, a
flashover can occur. In this case, the procedure is as follows.
1) Look at the portable PD monitoring records, and try to
identify the reason and location of the disruptive discharge.
2) Reapply the voltage looking specifically for PD signals
coming from the discharge area. For instance, if a particle pro-

IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON POWER DELIVERY, VOL. 18, NO. 4, OCTOBER 2003

duced the breakdown, there may still be smaller pieces of the

initial particle producing PD.
3) If PD is found, open the compartment, clean, and reapply
the voltage.
4) If no PD is found, reapply the voltage up to the test level,
and if the voltage is withstood, it is considered ok.
VII. NOISE TREATMENT DURING TESTS
When using the UHF technique during the high voltage
testing of GIS, it is important to take into account the effects
of noise interference. Since the internal and external couplers
detect frequencies in the range of 10 to 1800 MHz, they are
also therefore susceptible to external noise within this range
(e.g., telecommunications, radar, etc.).
Couplers on sections of GIS external to the substation
building are typically most susceptible to interference since
they do not have the benefit of the shielding properties of the
building. Also, where gas insulated composite-line bushings
are used, the bushing itself can act as an antenna, resulting in
couplers on feeder sections being affected.
Prior to HV testing, a check is made to see if any noise that is
picked up on the couplers triggers the UHF monitoring system.
If noise is affecting some couplers, then noise filters can be installed at the affected points to attenuate these signals but, at the
same time, maintain the UHF monitoring systems sensitivity to
real partial discharges. A range of filters has been developed
for this purpose, with different responses for different types of
noise interference.
VIII. CONCLUSION
UHF monitoring has become an increasingly important tool
for use during the HV commissioning tests for GIS as it has
enabled real-time monitoring of large test sections to be carried
out with a single voltage application. Without this monitoring
aid, if any flashovers were to occur, then locating the flashover
could prove to be a significant problem. Also, in the event that
a second flashover should occur on a large test section, internal
inspections would be extensive.
UHF monitoring has, in addition, enabled identification and
location of any PD source within the test section at a low test
voltage before any risk of breakdown occurs, therefore avoiding
undesirable conditioning disruptive discharges. Even in the
event of a flashover (e.g., where PD inception and flashover
levels are very close), it provides key information regarding the
location of the problem area since the preflashover PD data will
be available for analysis.
REFERENCES
[1] Gas insulated metal-enclosed switchgear for rated voltages of 72.5 kV
and above, International Standard IEC 60 517.
[2] B. F. Hampton, T. Irwin, and D. Lightle, Diagnostic measurements at
ultra high frequency in GIS, CIGRE, vol. 15, pp. 33101, 1990.
[3] T. Irwin, Six years experience with UHF monitoring, in Proc. Inst.
Elect. Eng. Colloq. Partial Discharges GIS, Apr. 1994.
[4] T. Irwin, J. Lopez-Roldan, and C. Charlson, Partial discharge detection
of free moving particles in GIS by the UHF method: Recognition pattern
depending on the particle movement and location, in Proc. IEEE Power
Eng. Soc. Winter Meeting, Singapore, 2000.

BELL et al.: ONSITE COMMISSIONING TESTS USING UHF PARTIAL DISCHARGE DETECTION

[5] N. Fujimoto, G. C. Stone, H. G. Sedding, and S. Rizzetto, Improved

partial discharge detection methods for epoxy spacers in gas-insulated
switchgear, in Proc. Sixth Int. Symp. High-Voltage Eng., New Orleans,
LA, 1989.
[6] T. Irwin, C. J. Jones, and A. Headly, Achieving enhanced gas insulated
switchgear reliability using diagnostic methods, in Proc. CIRED, 1991,
1.08.

1191

Terry Irwin was born in 1951, in Jarrow, U.K. He received the B.Sc. degree in
electrical and electronic engineering from Sunderland Polytechnic, Sunderland,
U.K., in 1974.
He has been involved with R&D projects with VA TECH Reyrolle, Reyrolle,
U.K., for more than 30 years, where he has been involved with measurement
systems, power systems analysis, high-voltage engineering, and condition monitoring.
Mr. Irwin is a member of the IEE and CIGRE.

Raymond Bell was born January 27, 1958 in Newcastle Upon Tyne, U.K. He
received the H.N.C. degree in electrical and electronic engineering from Newcastle upon Tyne Polytechnic, in 1980.
Currently, he is a Principal Engineer at VA TECH Reyrolle, Reyrolle, U.K.,
where he has been for 20 years. He has been involved in a variety of HV commissioning activities within manufacturing and in the field.
Mr. Bell is a member of the IIE.

Chris Charlson was born on September 25, 1973, in Bolton, Lancashire, U.K.
He received the B.Eng. degree in electrical and electronic engineering from the
University of Manchester Institute of Technology, Manchester, U.K., in 1995.
Currently, he is Senior Engineer at VA TECH Reyrolle Transmission,
Reyrolle, U.K., where he has been since 1995. After completing two years
of training, he has been involved in R&D projects including high-voltage
engineering and condition monitoring.

Shaun Paul Halliday was born on April 12, 1966 in South Shield, U.K. He
received the B.Eng. degree in electrical and electronic engineering from Trent
Polytechnic, Nottingham, U.K., in 1990.
Currently, he is Principal Engineer within the high-voltage design department
at VA TECH, Reyrolle, U.K. He has been engaged in R&D projects within VA
TECH for ten years, where he has been involved with high-voltage engineering
and condition monitoring. He has also been actively involved in high-votage
testing and commissioning of substations.
Mr. Halliday is a member of the IEE.

Jose Lopez-Roldan (M98) was born on August 6, 1966, in San Sebastian,

Spain. He received the M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from
the University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain, in 1993 and 1997, respectively.
Currently, he is involved in the development and design of GIS at VA TECH
Reyrolle, Reyrolle, U.K., where he has been since 1996.
Dr. Roldan is a member of CIGRE.

John Nixon was born on October 16, 1950 in Newcastle Upon Tyne, U.K. He
received the B.Sc. degree in electrical and electronic engineering from Newcastle upon Tyne Polytechnic in 1973.
Currently, he is Product Support Manager for the Transmission business at
VA TECH Reyrolle, Reyrolle, U.K., where he has been for more than 30 years.
Mr. Nixon is a member of the IEE.