A contribution on the traceability of partial discharge measurements

Commercially used partial discharge (PD) detectors are intended to capture current pulses generated by PD activity in the insulation of a HV test object and then to integrate it, producing a display proportional to the apparent charge. The integration procedure is approximated by a low pass (or bandpass) filter and therefore different partial detectors display different charges on the same measurement setup. The error of the approximated integration is simulated and analyzed, and a new calibrator is proposed which has an adjustable duration current pulse. Using the calibrator, the correct working range of the PD detector can be tested and thus qualified. The new calibrator, as a reference unit, can be considered a base of traceability of PD measurement.>