Validation of partial discharge emulator simulations using free-space radiometric measurements

A useful technique to estimate the degradation of insulation in high voltage (HV) installations is the measurement of partial discharge (PD). Free-space radiometric (FSR) detection of PD is a relatively new technique. Several types of PD emulator sources have been constructed: two internal PD emulators and a floating electrode emulator. The emulators have been simulated using the CST Microwave Studio software package. The intention is to use the simulated emulators to establish a relationship between radiated PD signals and PD intensity as defined by apparent charge transfer. To this end the radiated fields predicted in the simulations are compared with measurements. There is sufficient agreement between simulations and measurements to suggest the simulations could be used to investigate the relationship between PD intensity and the field strength of radiated signals.