Calibration of power frequency high voltage and measurement of partial

discharge with sphere-sphere gap arrangement

Experiment No: 1

Title :- Calibration of power frequency high voltage and measurement of partial discharge with
sphere-sphere gap arrangement

Objectives :- To calibrate power frequency high voltage using sphere-sphere gap arrangement
and to measure partial discharge.

Apparatus Used :-
SL No. Name of Apparatus No. of Quantity Ratings
1 HV Testing Transformer 1 0-300KV, AC
2 Voltage Divider 1 0-300KV
3 Sphere-Sphere Electrode 1 500mm
4 PD Detection System 1 -
5 PD Generating Electrodes 1 Point Electrodes

Theory :-
The amplitude of a voltage over about 10 kV may be measured using straightforward spark
gaps that are insulated by ambient air. The intricate process behind this physical phenomenon, which
is frequently used to shield electronics from overvoltage. A misuse can be prevented by doing a
sufficient investigation into the physical phenomena, even if spark gaps for measuring purposes may
be utilized solely in accordance with the stated guidelines and recommendations. The disruptive
discharge does not provide a direct reading of the voltage across the gap since the rapid transition
from either a fully insulating or still highly insulating state of a gap to the high conducting arc state is
employed to determine a voltage level.
A spark produces a full short-circuit, thus the voltage source
must be sufficient to support one even if resistors in series with
the gap may occasionally be required to control current flow.
The spark gaps depicted in the picture can be thought of as
authorized calibration tools with high dependability and known
measurement uncertainty but limited precision. Spark gaps are
very dependable and easy to utilize, thus they'll likely always be
used in h.v. laboratories.

For regular measurements, instruments using electronic circuits are typically used since they are more
precise and simpler to operate. However, these circuits are
frequently susceptible to the effects of electromagnetic radiation
and may occasionally malfunction.
Thus, by regularly calibrating such devices against authorized spark gaps, the potential for significant
measurement mistakes and unpleasant outcomes. An important consideration for a spark gap's use is
its geometry. The sphere gap has been recommended for authorized voltage measurements by both
international and national standards for a number of decades since it best demonstrates their
dependability.
For the measurement of the peak value of either d.c., a.c., or both types of impulse voltages, build a
sphere gap. The shape of the electrode, as well as knowledge of the air density and composition, must
be adequate to regulate the electrical field distribution inside the high field zones. Different kinds of
molecules make up air, and these molecules will affect the breakdown voltage. Along with the principal
electron effect, which is a must, the well-known breakdown criteria of gases may account for all of
these factors. the guidelines provided in the still-applicable IEC These consequences can be tied to
recommendations in more depth.
Therefore, PDs are localized electrical discharges that occur within an insulating system that is used in
electrical equipment, parts, or systems. The usage of PDs is often limited to a small portion of the
dielectric materials, which results in only partial electrode bridging when the voltage is applied. Solid,
liquid, gaseous, or any mix of these elements may be used as insulation. The term ‘partial discharge’
includes a wide group of discharge phenomena :
 internal discharges occurring in voids or cavities within solid or liquid dielectrics;
 surface discharges appearing at the boundary of different insulation materials;
 corona discharges occurring in gaseous dielectrics in the presence of inhomogeneous
fields;
 continuous impact of discharges in solid dielectrics forming discharge channels
(treeing).
The detection and measurement of discharges is based on the exchange of energy takingδ
place during the discharge. The most frequently used and successful detection methods are
the electrical detection prescribed in IEC 60270.

Procedure :-
1. AC Power frequency generator and partial discharge test system is studied.
2. Power frequency High voltage with Sphere- Sphere Gap arrangement was Calibrated.
3. Compared the Value with the Standard Voltage.
4. Calculated the Percentage Error.
5. Measured the Value of Partial Discharge with the Point Electrode arrangement.
6. Took the values for the Partial Discharge and Calculated its Average.

Result and Analysis :-

Rating of AC Test System :- 300KV,50Hz

Remarks:-
There is a reason why we are getting high percentage error at low separation is because the
S/d ratio. The S/d ratio is the ratio of the sphere gap spacing (S) to the sphere diameter (d). This ratio
is a measure of the non-uniformity of the electric field between the spheres.
For a given sphere diameter, a smaller S/d ratio will result in a more non-uniform electric field. This is
because the spheres are closer together and the electric field lines have less distance to travel. As a
result, the electric field is more likely to concentrate at certain points on the surface of the spheres,
which can increase the probability of breakdown.
A larger S/d ratio will result in a more uniform electric field. This is because the spheres are farther
apart and the electric field lines have more distance to travel. As a result, the electric field is less likely
to concentrate at certain points on the surface of the spheres, which reduces the probability of
breakdown.
In your experiment, you are using a sphere diameter of 50 cm. When the sphere separation is 1 cm,
the S/d ratio is 0.02. When the sphere separation is increased to 2 cm, the S/d ratio is 0.04. When the
sphere separation is increased to 3 cm, the S/d ratio is 0.06. As you can see, the S/d ratio increases as
the sphere separation is increased. This is why the error percentage decreases as the sphere separation
is increased.