Energy Talks · OMICRON electronics GmbH

#76: Partial Discharge Monitoring on Gas-Insulated Switchgear and Lines

·33 min·3 clips

Scott Williams explains how partial discharge activity signals imminent insulation failure in gas-insulated equipment.

This episode focuses on partial discharge monitoring in gas-insulated electrical equipment like switchgear and lines. Host Scott Williams from Omicron is joined by PD expert and technology co-developer Kasper Steinecke. Steinecke previously appeared in episode 72 to discuss the essentials of partial discharge testing. The conversation centers on how continuous online monitoring assesses insulation condition and failure risk throughout an asset's lifetime. Partial discharge activity is a reliable early indicator of developing insulation faults in gas-insulated systems. Monitoring provides trending and diagnosis to prevent catastrophic failures that PD acceleration can cause. The discussion references Omicron's specific technologies, including the MPD PD testing system. It also covers the Parademo 100, a new monitoring solution for gas-insulated switchgear and lines. A key insight is that many failure modes in electrical assets begin with insulation deterioration signaled by partial discharge. Continuous monitoring allows for immediate action, contrasting with periodic testing alone. The technology aims to transform maintenance from reactive to predictive by tracking insulation health over time. The Parademo 100 represents a practical application of this monitoring philosophy for critical grid infrastructure. The tone is technical and educational, aimed at industry professionals. The style is a structured expert interview, with the host guiding the discussion based on the guest's deep product and application knowledge. This episode is ideal for power system engineers, asset managers, and technicians involved in high-voltage equipment maintenance. Listeners seeking a broad, non-technical overview of energy topics might find it too specialized.

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