DDX 9121b – PD Frequency range settings

DDX 9121b – PD Frequency range settings

Problem description:
FAQ 118
Selecting the right frequency band for PD measurement is the most important step towards obtaining reliable
test results with a high level of reproducibility. Tips to check the noise floor and discriminate interference
pulses and on selecting the correct bandwidth for PD calibration and measurement is described.

STEP #1
Checking the Noise Spectrum before start of Test

Optimized measuring band

12 0

10 0

80

60

40

20

1 10 100 1000 10000

f(khz)

Partial discharge FFT RF broadcast FFT Tyristor pulse FFT

There are three common categories of noise when it comes to electrical PD measurements:
- Random noise otherwise referred to as the ‘White noise’ is the stochastic noise which varies
continuously over the zero-crossing and has a mean around 0. The FFT/spectrum of such noise is
relatively random with a low dB level and no prominent peaks at specific frequencies.

- Switching noise is a high frequency radiated noise. The most common sources of this kind of noise
are equipment with electronic switching such as Frequency converters. The spectrum of an electronic
switching pulse looks uneven with prominent resonant peaks. Most often, the FFT of a switching
pulse could be confused with that of a real-PD which performing tests on large test objects with
windings like transformers or generators.

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- Sinusoidal noise is one other category which could hinder the PD test. It is a continuous wave which
could most possibly be linked to radiated AM and FM signals or other communication bands. This
noise if not recognized can have strongly negative impact on the PD test results. Sinusoidal noise is
reflected on the noise spectrum as a narrow peak at a very specific frequency such as shown below.

1. Therefore, one of the first and most vital steps while performing PD test is to check the prevailing
noise floor in the testing field/laboratory. In the past this has been a very advanced and complex
task requiring high resolution Oscilloscope and Spectrum Analyzer with certain knowledge.
Nowadays, this can be done by a single mouse click using “Trigger by
position” option available below the PD scope window of the DDX
9121b Software.

2. Once the operator has complete knowledge of the noise conditions in the test fields he goes on
to select a frequency band for PD measurement. In case of standard (IEC/IEEE/NEN) compliance
test being performed the operator needs to keep in mind the test specifications defined in the
respective standards and ensure that the filter settings are within the required range.

The DDX 9121b has an inbuilt feature that

indicates IEC complicate through a small IEC logo
on the FFT window. This can be activated by the
following steps:
• Click on the settings icon on the right
margin of the ‘PD Scope’.
• Navigate to the ‘Advanced’ tab on the
top.
• And select the relevant checkboxes.
Some more specific test requirements such as
‘gating’ are also readily available on the
DDX 9121b.

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 As described in this section, the Digital filter has to be set to a region of low noise, excluding the
noise peaks while complying to the testing standards. This can be done by adjusting the moving
window on the FFT plot or by manually entering the values under the Amplifier settings section.
However, the suitability of the filter settings have to be rechecked once again during calibration.

Digital Filter
settings

Indicator for IEC

compliance

STEP #2
Checking the frequency spectrum of the calibration pulse

The calibrator is connected across the test object and a PD pulse of known
charge value is injected. The detector is then calibrated. Using “Trigger by
amplitude” option on the DDX 9121b the pulse shape (sub-window called
“Scope”) and its frequency spectrum (sub-window called “FFT”) is visualized on the PD SCOPE. Ideally, the
Spectrum of the calibration pulse should be flat as shown in the image below.

General Tips for Calibration:

• Trigger at 80-90 % of the PD pulse amplitude for
effective trigger.
• You may also use the two movable markers
shown in the red circle to trigger the PD pulse.
• Always inject the calibration pulse over the
leads of the test object and not the coupling
capacitor.
• Make sure all circuit components are
connected, and the circuit is of the final form
before doing the calibration.
• Any alterations made to the circuit after
calibration would require recalibration.
• Any alternations made to the PD Detector
settings (frequency range settings) would
require recalibration
• To avoid calibration errors, remove the ground
rod from the circuit.
• Always check the noise spectrum before
calibration.
• Check linearity of the calibration by injecting
multiples of the charge value such as 10, 20, 50
pC.

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 The calibration is invalid in case the frequency spectrum is not flat over the Filter band set by the user.
This is because this invalidates the quasi-integration process yielding wrong charge values. This can happen
more often while testing large test objects or test object with windings, which comprise of a complex RLC
network generating resonances over the measuring range.
Correct Filter settings ensures plausible and repeatable measurements and avoid random, wrong and not
repeatable and comparable PD measurements.

STEP #3
Checking the frequency spectrum of the real PD pulse

The final confirmation check that is recommended for advanced users in order to ensure correctness of the
measured charge value is to acquire a real PD pulse and check its spectrum. The purpose of checking the
spectrum of the discharge pulse is to confirm the validity of the calibration.

In case of large test objects or test objects with windings such as power transformers and rotating machines,
this becomes crucial. It is possible that the frequency response of the test object during calibration is different
from that during a real PD event.

The goal of the International Testing Standards is to take into consideration all exceptions and unify them
over a certain measurement range to allow inter-comparability between measurements made at different
laboratories. The PD test standards, IEC 60270 defines the basic allowable measuring bands in chapter 4.3
up to 1 MHz. Nevertheless, at the same time giving a notice that in case of test objects with windings higher
cut-off (f2) frequency shall be limited to a few hundred kHz. Referring to the vertical standards which shall
consider limitation of the particular test object.

Various vertical standards that have been developed to deal with specific test objects define more niche,
specific criteria for each test object. For example, the IEEE C57.113 which deals with PD measurements on
Power transformers in chapter B.1 recommends a maximum upper frequency limit of 300 kHz in order to
perform charge estimation (integration) with a sufficient accuracy.

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In spite of all the attempts to unify and alleviate the errors in measurements, exceptions still exist. The
calibration spectrum (left) and the actual PD spectrum (right) of the measurements done on a stator bar are
shown below. The spectrum of the actual defect shows a declining trend at higher frequencies. In such a
case, wideband calibration between 100 and 700 kHz would generate errors in the measured charge value.

Therefore, it is always recommended to remain in the lower frequency limit, especially for large test objects
and test object with winding and for advanced users to take an opportunity to confirm the correctness of the
measured charge values by cross-checking the spectrum of the real PD event.

Common recommendation for large test objects and test object with winding is to restrict the upper
cut-off frequency (f2) between 200 to 300 kHz maximum.

In case of further issues, please contact Tettex Support.

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