Simulation of PD RF Propagation in MV Bus Bar Chambers

The monitoring of partial discharge (PD) in air-insulated medium voltage (MV) switchgear can reveal potential insulation failure. In particular, the application of non-intrusive methods such as radio frequency (RF) sensors may be employed to establish continuous PD level tracking. However, there is still clarification needed to understand the most effective placement of RF probes, especially along extended MV switchgear compartments. Therefore, the aim of the current work is to investigate PD RF signal propagation and signal energy sensitivity along three aligned arbitrary MV switchgear bus bar compartments. A particular model was created by applying finite element methods (FEM) and a grid of probes is created along the chamber structures. By using calculation methods and creating interpolation maps, the potential higher measurement sensitivity regions can be revealed for different PD source locations.