Online Partial Discharge Monitoring In Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) and Air Insulated Switchgear (AIS)

This paper investigates the condition of high voltage gas insulated switchgear (GIS) through an online partial discharge (PD) inspection using ultrasound, Transient Earth Voltage (TEV), and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) techniques. The primary goal was to establish a baseline for effective condition monitoring. The problem addressed is the potential for undetected PD activity to lead to insulation failure, resulting in costly downtime and safety risks. The methodology involved deploying these complementary techniques to capture PD signals from the GIS and AIS operating under normal conditions. The inspection results indicated no significant PD activity, demonstrating the switchgear is in good condition and providing a reliable baseline for future monitoring. The study concludes that periodic PD monitoring is essential for early detection of insulation issues, recommending a 12-month interval for follow-up inspections. This approach enhances the proactive maintenance strategy, ensuring operational safety and reducing the risk of unexpected failures.