17-Jan-12

DATA AND PRESENTATION

Data Types (Pulse Zoning)

Instrument Pulse Categories
PDA Differential C1 C2 System Discharge
BUS Directional Machine PD Between Discharge System Discharge
SSC Directional Endwinding Under Slot

Graph 1

Graph 2

1
 17-Jan-12

Look Around the Pulse

Quantity, n 340 mV

320 mV
340 mV

320 mV

Magnitude 300 mV 300 mV

280 mV 280 mV

(Amplitude), mV 260 mV 260 mV

240 mV 240 mV
Polarity, +/– 220 mV 220 mV

Phase angle, ø° 200 mV

180 mV
200 mV

180 mV

160 mV 160 mV

140 mV 140 mV

120 mV 120 mV

100 mV 100 mV

80 mV 80 mV

60 mV 60 mV

40 mV 40 mV

20 mV 20 mV

Just A Half-empty Table of Numbers for $$$?

Looking Through Database in 3D

356.4-360° C1/Machine/Endwinding C2/Total System/Total Slot
352.8-356.4° C1/Machine/Endwinding
+ – C2/Total
+ System/Total– Slot
7.2 - 10.8° C1/Machine/Endwinding
20-40 mV + C2/Total
– System/Total
+ Slot –
3.6 - 7.2° C1/Machine/Endwinding
20-40 +
40-60mVmV
– C2/Total+System/Total–Slot
?
20-40 mVC1/Machine/Endwinding
+ mV – C2/Total+?System/Total–Slot
0 -20-40
3.6° 40-60
60-80
+ mV
mVmV 60-80
40-60
mV – ? + –
20-40 80-100 mV
mVmVmV 80-100
40-60
60-80 mVmV
40-60 100-120
mVmVmV 100-120
60-80 ?
80-100 mV
60-80 120-140
mVmVmV 120-140 mV
80-100 mV
100-120
80-100 140-160 mV
mVmVmV 140-160
100-120
120-140 mV
100-120
120-140 160-180 mV
mVmVmV 160-180
140-160
120-140
140-160 180-200mV
mVmVmV 180-200 mV
160-180
140-160
160-180mV 200-220mV
mVmV 200-220 mV
180-200 mV
160-180
180-200 220-240 mV
mVmVmV 220-240
200-220 mV
180-200
200-220 240-260 mV
mVmVmV 240-260 mV
220-240
200-220
220-240 280-300 mV
mVmVmV 280-300
240-260 mV
220-240
240-260 300-320 mV
mVmVmV 300-320
280-300
240-260
280-300 320-340mV
mVmVmV 320-340 mV
300-320 mV
280-300
300-320mV
320-340mVmV
300-320
320-340mVmV
320-340 mV

2
 17-Jan-12

Pulse Height Analysis (2D Graph)

Quantity 
Magnitude  Pulse Height Analysis Plot
Meas Id: 237, Machine PD + Meas Id: 237, Machine PD -


104
Polarity
Phase angle 103
P u ls e C o u n t R a t e [ P P S ]

102

101

100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800

Pulse Magnitude [mV]

Let’s Play Hangman

Pulse Height Analysis Plot
Meas Id: 237, Machine PD + Meas Id: 237, Machine PD -
104

103
W __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
P u ls e C o u n t R a t e [ P P S ]

102

W __ __ __ __
101

100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800

Pulse Magnitude [mV]

Read the Small Print

Pulse Height Analysis Plot
Only negative pulses that occur from -15 to 135 and positive pulses from 165 to 315 are displayed in the 2-D plot.

Meas Id: 237, Machine PD + Meas Id: 237, Machine PD -

104

103 +
P u ls e C o u n t R a t e [ P P S ]

102 –
101

100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800

Pulse Magnitude [mV]

3
 17-Jan-12

Which One Is Worse or

How Much More Deteriorated?
How to report to the boss in 5 seconds with no
questions asked?
Pulse Height Analysis Plot Pulse Height Analysis Plot
Meas Id: 239, Machine PD + Meas Id: 239, Machine PD - Meas Id: 237, Machine PD + Meas Id: 237, Machine PD -
104 104

103
Unit 1 103
Unit 2
P u ls e C o u n t R a t e [ P P S ]

P u ls e C o u n t R a t e [ P P S ]

Phase A Phase B
102
2010 102
2011
101 101

100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800
Pulse Magnitude [mV] Pulse Magnitude [mV]

How To Describe Curves?

Pulse Phase Analysis (3D Graph)

Quantity 
Magnitude  Pulse Phase Analysis Plot
Meas: 234, A bsolute Machine PD

Polarity 294.0


P u ls e C o u n t R a t e [ P P S ]

Phase angle 1000

100
P u ls e M a g n it u d e [ m V ]

50

10 100

150

1
200
0
45

90

25
0
5

Ph
13

as
e
0

An
18

g le
[d e
5
22

g]
30
270

0
315

360

4
 17-Jan-12

Linear Pulse Density Plot

Quantity 
Magnitude 
Polarity 
Phase angle  0 to 3.16 pps
Bipolar Slot Total

3.16 to 10 pps 10 to 31.6 pps 31.6 to 100 pps

100 to 316 pps 316 to 1000 pps > 1000 pps Subset 8
30 30

20 20

10 10
Pulse Magnitude [mV]

0 0

-10 -10

-20 -20

-30 -30

0 45 90 135 180 225 270 315 360

Phase Angle [deg]

Portable Instruments
For periodic measurement
3 models:
PDA-IV for PDA couplers
TGA-B for BUS couplers
TGA-S for SSC couplers
2D and 3D data
Manual control

Trend Monitors
BusTrac and HydroTrac
For BUS and PDA
coupler installations
PDTrac
For single-ended coupler
installations
Continuous archive of
Qm and NQN numbers
2D data
Inputs for operating
parameters
Alarm output

5
 17-Jan-12

Continuous Instruments

BusGuard, HydroGuard and TurboGuard systems

For BUS, PDA and SSC coupler installations
2D and 3D data
Alarm output
Inputs for operating parameters
Hourly alarm check
Preset measurements
based on time intervals
and operating parameters

DATA INTERPRETATION

Now What?

Quantity Number of defects

Magnitude Size of defects
Polarity
Location of defects
Phase angle

6
 17-Jan-12

Gift-wrap Packaging
Pulse Height Analysis Plot
Meas Id: 237, Machine PD + Meas Id: 237, Machine PD -
104

103
2D Graph
P u ls e C o u n t R a t e [ P P S ]
Qm and NQN
Raw data
102

101

n mV
100 200 300 400 500
Pulse Magnitude [mV]
600 700 800
Comparison

+/– Ø° 294.0
Pulse Phase Analysis Plot
Meas: 234, A bsolute Machine PD

Pulse clump
P u ls e C o u n t R a t e [ P P S ]

1000

100
P u ls e M a g n it u d e [ m V ]

50

10

1
0
100

150

200
phase angles

45

90

25
0
5

Ph
13

as
e

3D Graph
0

An
18

g le
[d e
5
22

g]

Problems
30
270

0
315

360

Values of a Value

Comparison with self  Trending

Comparison with others  Statistical Analysis
Pulse Height Analysis Plot
Meas Id: 237, Machine PD + Meas Id: 237, Machine PD -
104

103
P u ls e C o u n t R a t e [ P P S ]

Qm–
102
Qm+
101

100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800

Pulse Magnitude [mV]

What Does This Mean?

Increase of Qm signifies Pulse Height Analysis Plot

Meas Id: 237, Machine PD + Meas Id: 237, Machine PD -
progression of ageing 104

mechanisms, that is, 2010―――→2011

103
deterioration of
P u ls e C o u n t R a t e [ P P S ]

2001―――→2011
insulation condition 102

Doubling of Qm within
6 months is considered 101

indicative of rapid
ageing
100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800
Pulse Magnitude [mV]

7
 17-Jan-12

Can the Winding Heal Itself?

1000

900
+ PD
800
- PD

700
Qm (mV)

600

500

400

300

200

100

Dream Machine

Trend Analysis Plot

Mach. Qm+ Mach. Qm- Noise Qm+ Noise Qm-
200
175
150
125
100
Y Axis

75
50
25
0
Dec Jan 2002 Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov
2001 X Axis

Lemon Machine

Trend Analysis Plot

Mach. Qm+ Mach. Qm-
300

250

200

150
Y Axis

100

50

0
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
X Axis

8
 17-Jan-12

Sleep Tight?

Trend Analysis Plot

Mach. Qm+ Mach. Qm-

300

275

250

225
Y Axis

200

175

2001 2002 2003

X Axis

Not All Roads Go to Rome

Baseline
Stable
Upward
Rapid deterioration
Downward
Downward due to maintenance
Downward of new winding
Fluctuations

Apple-to-Apple

Voltage +/– 200 V

Power/Load +/– 10%
Winding temperature +/– 5°C
Pressure +/– 5psi / 35 kPA
Humidity Uncontrollable

9
 17-Jan-12

Winding Vitality Indicator

As in Real Life, Try To Live Longer

PD Magnitudes (Qm)

Problem
New
After
Problem repair

Baseline

12 -18 Many years A few Many years A few

months years years

Sounds Familiar with Your New Winding?

1
Winding 1?
PD Magnitudes (Qm)

Winding 2?
Winding 3?

10
 17-Jan-12

Is 300 mV High Qm?

Comparison with similar windings indicates relative

severity of ageing mechanisms
Qm above 90% percentile of statistical database is
considered High level

Statistical Database

Populationimpact
Significant
Voltage
Over 225,000
class measurements
for 2010type/installation
Coupler database
Highcoolant
Gas temperature
pressure
and high
load measurements
Operating conditionsselected
for database compilation
Little influence
Machine type
Insulation system

Analysis of Statistical Database 2010

By machine type
Hydro
generators
23% Turbine
generators
48%
Motors
29%

11
 17-Jan-12

How High Is 300 mV?

Assume Rated kV 13-15 16-18 ≥19

13.8 kV H2 (psi) 11-20 21-30 >31

generator 25% 43 19 17
BUS couplers 50% 106 41 39
Hydrogen-cooled 75% 255 83 77
at 20 psi-g
90% 503 193 201
95% 901 408 537
From Iris 2010 Statistical Database

After Translation to English …

< 25% Negligible

< 50% Low
< 75% Typical
< 90% Moderate
< 95% High
> 95% Very high

Comparison with Similar Machines

Which generator is of more concern?

Maximum Qm Values
TGA 13-15kV (air-cooled)
800
700
Peak Magnitude (mV)

High
600
500
400 Moderate
300
200 Typical
100
0 Low
Unit A Unit B

+Qm -Qm

12
 17-Jan-12

Do Not Sit on the Qm

Alert for action

High, > 90th percentile of database
Rapid increase
Or both
A problem is brewing
Do something
Test more frequently
Install continuous monitoring
Plan additional testing

How To Read 3D Graphs?

Pulse patterns and distribution identify the relative

location of partial discharge sites and the nature of
the sources

Slot Partial Discharge

Caused by phase-to-ground voltage

0° - 90°, 180° - 270°
μ = 45° and 225° Phase Resolved PD Plot (Linear Pulse Density Plot)

1.5

σ = 15° 1

Idealized 0.5
PD Magnitude [p.u.]

outcome 0
0 45 90 135 180 225 270 315 360

-0.5

-1

-1.5

Phase Angle [°]

Partial Discharges (Slot) Reference AC Voltage

13
 17-Jan-12

Pulse Polarity

Gaps on insulation surface

+PD > –PD Copper

Groundwall insulation
conductor
Voids within insulation
+PD ≈ –PD
Voids close to copper
conductor
+PD < –PD
Stator core

Negative Polarity Predominance

Meaning voids developed

close to copper conductor
Where? Copper
Groundwall insulation

conductor
Bipolar Machine PD

0 to 3.16 pps 3.16 to 10 pps 10 to 31.6 pps 31.6 to 100 pps

100 to 316 pps 316 to 1000 pps > 1000 pps Subset 8
750 750

500 500

250 250
Pulse Magnitude [mV]

0 0

-250 -250

-500 -500

-750 -750

0 45 90 135 180 225 270 315 360

Phase Angle [deg]

Not All Voids Are the Same!

Current flow

Good turn Copper

Groundwall insulation

insulation conductor
Current flow

Turn insulation failure

Complete circuit path

Short

14
 17-Jan-12

Positive Polarity Predominance

Meaning discharge taking

place between insulation
surface and stator core
Why worry?

Partial Discharge Is Sensitive

Operating and Direct effect

Condition ↑ PD ↑
Ambient Conditions
Condition ↓ PD ↓
Voltage
Inverse effect
Temperature Condition ↑ PD ↓
Power / Load Condition ↓ PD ↑
Hydrogen pressure No effect
Humidity

Winding Temperature

Mainly affects phase-to-ground

voltage partial discharge
Can significantly affect results
Difference may be small at ±5°C
May show large variances at ±20°C
Recommended to test at 20°C apart

15
 17-Jan-12

Temperature Effect

Inverse Effect
Voids compressed at higher
temperature
PD ↓
Direct Effect
Resistance of semi-conductive
coating increasing with
temperature
PD ↑

Load Effect
Rotor
Mostly affects positive phase-
to-ground voltage PD if loose
winding problem is present
Usually problem for thermoset
insulation
Less problem for thermoplastic
insulation as looseness offset
by thermal expansion
Recommended to test with at
least 40% load change

Why Change the Load?

Bipolar C2

0 to 3.16 pps 3.16 to 10 pps 10 to 31.6 pps 31.6 to 100 pps

Hydro generator 750

100 to 316 pps 316 to 1000 pps > 1000 pps Subset 8
750

500 500
13.8 kV 54 MW 250 250
Pulse Magnitude [mV]

112 rpm 0

-250
0

-250

-500 -500

55 MW -750 -750

0 45 90 135 180
225°
225
Phase Angle [deg]
Bipolar C2
270 315 360

0 to 3.16 pps 3.16 to 10 pps 10 to 31.6 pps 31.6 to 100 pps

100 to 316 pps 316 to 1000 pps > 1000 pps Subset 8
750 750

500 500

250 250
Pulse Magnitude [mV]

0 0

-250 -250

-500 -500

-750 -750
5 MW 0 45 90 135 180 225 270 315 360
Phase Angle [deg]

16
 17-Jan-12

Hydrogen Pressure Effect

Turbine generator
13.8 kV 60 MW
3600 rpm
Hydrogen-cooled Case Study 1 - Qm Trend
400 26 A-Qm+

Hydrogen pressure (psi)

24
Peak magnitude (mV)

A-Qm-
300 22 B-Qm+
20
B-Qm-
200 18
16 C-Qm+
100 14 C-Qm-
12 H2
0 10
Feb-01

Feb-02
Jun-00

Jun-01
Dec-00

Dec-01
Aug-00

Aug-01
Oct-00

Oct-01
Apr-01

Humidity Effect

Can greatly affect surface partial discharge

Effect unpredictable
Electrical tracking ↑ PD ↑
Electrical breakdown ↑ PD ↓
Record relative humidity as it is not controllable

Roller Coaster Ride

350 NQN and Qm vs Relative Humidity (Air Cooled Motor) 60
NQN/Qm

55
300
50
Relative Humidity %

250
45

200 40

35
150
30
100
25
Time [hours]
50 20
15

20

25

30

40

50
0

10

35

45

NQN+ NQN- Qm+ Qm- Relative Humidity

17
 17-Jan-12

Endwinding Partial Discharge

1.5

Caused by phase-to- 1

PD Magnitude [p.u.]
phase voltage 0.5

Phase shifted 30° from -0.5

0 45 90 135
195°
180 225 270 315 360

phase-to-ground voltage -1

15°
angles -1.5
Phase A - Phase Angle

Concurrent clumps 1.5

255°
Opposite polarity 1
PD Magnitude [p.u.]

Similar shape 0.5

0
75°
Similar magnitude -0.5
-120 -75 -30 15 60 105 150 195 240

-1

-1.5
Phase B - Phase Angle

Extraneous Pulses

Cross coupling
“Excitation” pulses

Cross Coupling
1.5

1
PD Magnitude [p.u.]

Source on other phase(s) 0.5

0
0 45 90 135 180 225 270 315 360
- 0.5

Improper phase angle or polarity -1

- 1.5

Concurrent clumps Phase A – Phase Angle

1.5

Polarity may be opposite 1

PD Magnitude [p.u.]

0.5

Similar shape
0
- 120 -20 80 180
- 0.5

-1

Reduced magnitude - 1.5

Phase B – Phase Angle

1.5

1
PD Magnitude [p.u.]

0.5

0
- 240 - 195 - 150 - 105 -60 - 15 30 75 120
-0.5

-1

-1.5
Phase C – Phase Angle

18
 17-Jan-12

400

300

Example 200

100

0
0 45 90 135 180 225 270 315 360

-100

-200

Turbine generator -300

-400

[ Bipolar Machine PD - A Phase, Ø° ]

15 kV 165 MVA 400

300

3000 rpm 200

100

Air-cooled 0

-100
-120 -75 -30 15 60 105 150 195 240

-200

-300

-400

[ Bipolar Machine PD - B Phase, Ø° ]

400

300

200

100

0
-240 -195 -150 -105 -60 -15 30 75 120

-100

-200

-300

-400

[ Bipolar Machine PD - C Phase, Ø° ]

Other Partial Discharge Sources

Mechanically dependent
Problems due to poor connections
and at slot exit areas
Pulse clusters near 0° and 180°

Open-air arcing
[m V ]

B ip o la r M a c h in e P D

Arcing due to sharp 1 to 3 .1 6 p p s 3 .1 6 to 1 0 p p s 1 0 to 3 1 .6 p p s 3 1 .6 to 1 0 0 p p s

1 0 0 to 3 1 6 p p s 3 1 6 to 1 0 0 0 p p s > 1000 pps S ubset 8

corners and edges
M a g n itu d e

750 750

Severely deteriorated 500 500

250 250
interface between 0 0
semi-conductive and -250 -250
P u ls e

stress grading coatings -500 -500

Pulse around 90° and -750 -750

270° 0 45 90 135 180 225

P has e A ngle [deg]
270 315 360

“Excitation” Pulses

Thyristor-firings, from static exciter

or variable speed drive
Regular pulse repetitions
Low magnitude B i p o l a r M a c h i n e PD
[m V ]

0 to 3.16 pps 3.16 to 10 pps 10 to 31.6 pps 31.6 to 100 pps

100 to 316 pps 316 to 1000 pps > 1000 pps S ubs et 8
M a g n it u d e

75 75

50 50

25 25

0 0

-25 -25
P u ls e

-50 -50

-75 -75

0 45 90 135 180 225 270 315 360

P h a s e A n g le [ d e g ]

19
 17-Jan-12

Life Is Usually Messy and Not So Simple

Bipolar Machine PD

0 to 3.16 pps 3.16 to 10 pps 10 to 31.6 pps 31.6 to 100 pps

100 to 316 pps 316 to 1000 pps > 1000 pps Subset 8
75 75

50 50

25 25
Pulse Magnitude [mV]

0 0

-25 -25

-50 -50

-75 -75

0 45 90 135 180 225 270 315 360

Phase Angle [deg]

To Deal with Multiple Failure Mechanisms

Endwinding PD - Phase Resolved PD Plot

1.5

Look at the big picture

1

0.5
PD Magnitude [p.u.]

Look at other phases 0

-0.5
0 15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120 135 150 165 180 195 210 225 240 255 270 285 300 315 330 345 360

-1

-1.5

Phase Angle [°]

Slot PD - Phase Resolved PD Plot

1.5

0.5
PD Magnitude [p.u.]

0
0 45 90 135 180 225 270 315 360

-0.5

-1

-1.5

Phase Angle [°]

Slot and Endwinding PD - Phase Resolved PD Plot

1.5

0.5
PD Magnitude [p.u.]

0
0 15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120 135 150 165 180 195 210 225 240 255 270 285 300 315 330 345 360

-0.5

-1

-1.5

Phase Angle [°]

How Do the Pulses Look Like?

Ask these questions:
Where are the voids or gaps that partial discharge occur,
slot or endwinding?
Are the voids or gaps surrounded by insulation, or one side
of which is conductor?
Will the winding temperature change anything?
Are the voids and gaps affected by vibration?
Thermal deterioration
Insulation-conductor Changed by
Slot / Endwinding Affected by vibration
Mechanical forces
Insulation-insulation temperature
Slot Inside insulation Yes No
45° / 225° No Inverse None
Polarity Temperature
Phase Angle Load Dependence
Predominance Dependence

20
 17-Jan-12

How Do the Pulses Look Like?

Polarity Temperature Load

Phase Angle
Predominance Dependence Dependence

Improper
impregnation

Load Electrical slot Loose

cycling discharge winding

How Do the Pulses Look Like?

Polarity Temperature Load

Phase Angle
Predominance Dependence Dependence

Interface
problem

Insufficient
spacing Contamination

How To Find the Problem?

Load cycling

Polarity Temperature Load

Phase Angle
Predominance Dependence Dependence
45° – Inverse No

21
 17-Jan-12

Last Missing Piece

Voids and
gaps

Partial
Problems Discharge

?
Discharge
location

Final Answer?

Which generator is of more concern?

Maximum Qm Values
TGA 13-15kV (air-cooled)
800
700
Peak Magnitude (mV)

High
600
500
400 Moderate
300
200 Typical
100
0 Low
Unit A Unit B

+Qm -Qm

Cheat Sheet Number 1

Polarity Temperature Load FAILURE
Phase Angle
Predominance Dependence Dependence MECHANISMS

45º/225º  ↑↓  Improper
impregnation
15º/195º Insufficient coil
75º/255º  ?  spacing

225º + ↑↓ ↑↑ Loose winding

45º/225º  ↑↓  Thermal
deterioration

45º – ↑↓  Load cycling

15º/195º
75º/255º  ?  Contamination

22
 17-Jan-12

Cheat Sheet Number 2

Electrical slot discharge


+ > –  Surface  Loose winding

45°  Thermal deterioration
+  Ø - G  Slot  + ≈ –  Inside
 Improper impregnation

225°
 + < –  Near Cu
 Load cycling
Ø°
 15°/195°
 Insufficient spacing
+  Ø - Ø  Endwinding
75°/255°  Contamination

What in the World Do You

Love and Hate at the Same Time?

Voids and
gaps

Partial
Problems Discharge

Discharge
location

What Good Has Iris Done to My Machine?

Requires NO machine shutdown
Tests at normal operating condition
Determines winding quality and workmanship
Provides prior warning
Assists predictive
maintenance
Enables
convenient
maintenance
planning

23
 17-Jan-12

Partial Discharge measurement is an effective

predictive maintenance tool for monitoring the
condition of winding insulation

24