Integrated Acoustic and Electrical Methods for Partial Discharge Analysis in Distribution Networks

Partial discharges (PD) are localized electrical discharges that do not fully bridge the insulation between conductors but can significantly degrade insulation over time. This study introduces an integrated methodology that combines acoustic and electrical measurement techniques to analyze PD activity in electricity distribution networks. Field measurements were carried out at two distinct locations under varying environmental and operational conditions. Electrical signals were acquired using a high-speed power quality recorder in COMTRADE format, while ultrasonic emissions were captured via precision acoustic sensors. The collected data were analyzed in MATLAB through a multi-step process involving waveform analysis, time-domain evaluation, frequency-domain analysis using Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), and Phase-Resolved Partial Discharge (PRPD) pattern recognition. Key PD indicators—including peak amplitudes, repetition rates, and dominant frequency components—were extracted to classify discharge types and assess insulation condition. The findings reveal that integrating acoustic and electrical data enables a more holistic understanding of PD behavior, facilitating early fault detection and the development of proactive maintenance strategies. This integrated approach contributes to improving the reliability and sustainability of power distribution infrastructure.