A Novel Approach to Partial Discharge Detection Under Repetitive Unipolar Impulsive Voltage

Partial discharge (PD) detection is an important method to verify the reliability of the insulation structure of high-voltage power electronics devices. Although there are many research works on PD detection inside power modules, they mainly focus on traditional electrical detection methods and 50-Hz working conditions, which do not meet the repetitive unipolar impulsive voltage conditions of power modules, and traditional methods cannot solve the electromagnetic interference (EMI) problem under working conditions. This article proposes a novel approach to PD detection in power modules. This approach designs an optic fiber sensing system based on optic theory, and conducts the detailed mathematical theoretical deduction. In addition, a partial discharge inception voltage (PDIV) signal processing method based on PD acoustic signal is proposed. Finally, the proposed approach is applied to a power module. The PD signal and PDIV are successfully captured without EMI interference and new insulation problems.

Automated summary

Partial discharge (PD) detection is crucial for ensuring the reliability of insulation in high-voltage power electronics devices. Existing research mainly focuses on traditional electrical methods that do not meet the voltage conditions in power modules, and fail to address electromagnetic interference (EMI) issues. This article proposes a novel approach based on optic theory, utilizing an optic fiber sensing system for PD detection in power modules. Additionally, a PD inception voltage (PDIV) signal processing method based on PD acoustic signals is introduced. The proposed approach successfully captures PD signals and PDIV without EMI interference or new insulation problems.