Method and device for detecting and localizing faults in electrical installations

• US 4,897,607 A
• Filed: 04/13/1987
• Issued: 01/30/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kraftwerk Union Aktiengesellschaft (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Weidner, Jurgen, Koziel, Reinhold, Grunewald, Peter, Fork, Kurt
• Primary Examiner(s): Eisenzopf, Reinhard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US07/037,619
• Time in Patent Office: 1,023 Days
• Field of Search: 324/512, 324/511, 324/520, 324/521, 324/536, 324/545, 324/546, 324/547, 324/158 MG
• US Class Current: 324/512
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/12 Testing dielectric strength or breakdown voltage ; Testing or monitoring effectiveness or level of insulation, e.g. of a cable or of an apparatus, for example using partial discharge measurements; Electrostatic testing G01R31/08, G01R31/327 and G01R31/72 take precedence; measuring in plasmas G01R19/0061; measuring dielectric constants G01R27/2617; ESD, EMC or EMP testing of circuits G01R31/002
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/343 in operation
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 7/06 for dynamo-electric generators; for synchronous capacitors

Abstract

A method and device for detecting and localizing fault in electrical installations includes performing partial discharge measurements and high-frequency measurements at least at one location in the electrical installation and optionally in all phases, selectively comparing the measurement values with each other and with calibration signals, drawing conclusions from the measurements regarding the location and the type of the fault, selectively continuously and periodically performing the measurements at least at three measuring points while the installation is in operation, simulating the electrical installation in a computer as a high-frequency network, while simulating fault with the signals originating therefrom at the measuring points, comparing any measurement values which indicate fault with the simulated signal values for different fault types and fault locations, and determining the type and location of the fault from the simulated signal values which best agree with the measurement values and from the corresponding simulated fault.

Claims

1. Method for detecting and localizing faults in electrical installations, which comprises:

(a) performing partial discharge measurements and high frequency measurements at least at one location in the electrical installation and optionally in all phases;

(b) selectively comparing the measurement values with each other and with calibration signals;

(c) drawing conclusions from the measurements regarding the location and the type of the fault;

(d) selectively continuously and periodically performing the measurements at least at three measuring points while the installation is in operation;

(d) simulating the electrical installation in a computer as a high-frequency network, while simulating faults with the signals originating therefrom at the measuring points;

(e) comparing any measurement values which indicate faults with the simulated signal values for different fault types and fault locations; and

(f) determining the type and location of the fault from the simulated signal values which best agree with the measurement values and from the corresponding simulated fault; and

concurrently monitoring and utilizing measuring values of sound measuring pickups and including them in the analysis of the fault.

2. Method according to claim 1, which comprises performing the measurement value comparing step with respect to frequency spectrum.

3. Method according to claim 1, which comprises performing the measurement value comparing step with respect to propagation time.

4. Method according to claim 1, which comprises performing the measurement value comparing step with respect to amplitude.

5. Method according to claim 1, which comprises performing the measurement value comparing step with respect to phase.

6. Method according to claim 1, which comprises performing simultaneously at least three of the measurements listed below during operation:

(a) performing high-frequency output coupling with capacitive dividers of high-voltage feedthroughs of transformers;

(b) performing high-frequency output coupling with high-frequency impedances in conjunction with coupling quadrupoles as subdividers to existing network protection capacitors;

(c) performing high-frequency output coupling with capacitive or inductive coupling within a generator using wires near switching lines;

(d) performing high-frequency output coupling with high-frequency current transformers through a Y-point lead or a capacitive divider between a Y-point and ground;

(e) performing high-frequency output coupling with high-frequency current transformers through a separate grounding line of a stator lamination stack;

(f) performing high-frequency output coupling capacitively with a generator shaft and exciter bearings, and optionally with an additional antenna coupling;

(g) performing high-frequency output coupling through capacitive use of a cable grounding sheathing or ohmic divider with a high-frequency characteristic on an internal consumption voltage level;

(h) performing high-frequency output coupling through a capacitive or metallic or ohmic tie in a generator protection device.

7. Method according to claim 1, which comprises comparing the measurement values of three phases with each other for localizing the phase concerned.

8. Method according to claim 1, which comprises comparing the measuring points with each other and optionally while separated by phase.

9. Method according to claim 1, which comprises analyzing interference signals of the different measuring points on an oscilloscope screen as to at least one of amplitude, shape and phase.

10. Method according to claim 1, which comprises analyzing interference signals of the different measuring points with transient recorders as to at least one of amplitude, shape and phase.

11. Device for detecting and localizing faults in a power station block including components, comprising at least three operational measuring points for high-frequency output coupling;

operational measuring devices in the form of ultrasonic pickups; and

the following means;

means for performing partial discharge measurements and high-frequency measurements at least at one of said operational measuring points and optionally in all phases;

means for selectively comparing the measurement values with each other and with calibration signals;

means for drawing conclusions from the measurements regarding the location and the type of the fault;

means for selectively continuously and periodically performing the measurements at said at least three measuring points while the installation is in operation;

means for simulating the electrical installation in a computer as a high-frequency network, while simulating fault with the signals originating therefrom at the measuring points;

means for comparing any measurement values which indicate fault with the simulated signal values for different faults and fault locations; and

means for determining the type and location of the fault from the simulated signal values which best agree with the measurement values and from the corresponding simulated fault.

12. Device according to claim 11, wherein the components include a generator at which said operational measuring points are disposed.

13. Device according to claim 11, wherein the components include a stator winding having a cooling device with a water collector ring at which said ultrasonic pickups are disposed.

14. Device according to claim 11, wherein the components include internal consumption transformers at which said ultrasonic pickups are disposed.

15. Device according to claim 11, wherein the components include a machine at which said ultrasonic pickups are disposed.