Advanced partial discharge diagnostic of MV power cable system using oscillating wave test system

To obtain a sensitive picture of discharging faults in power cables the PD should be ignited, detected, and located at power frequencies that are comparable to operating conditions at 50 or 60 Hz. In this way, realistic magnitudes in [pC] and reproducible patterns of discharges in a power cable can be obtained. PD measurements during service as well as on-site continuous energizing at 50 (60) Hz of MV cables are not always economically realistic for on-site inspections. Different energizing methods have been introduced and employed during recent years. Therefore, based on the assumption that sensitive detection of critical PD sites occurs by a method mostly similar to 50 Hz energizing conditions, a method as introduced for on-site PD diagnosis of MV cables is discussed: oscillating wave test system (OWTS).