Detection of Partial Discharge in Power Transformers Using Rogowski Coil and Multiresolution Analysis

Partial discharge detection in power transformers is discussed using a new approach that exploit the broad band of the Rogowski coils and the potential of two signal processing tools： discrete wavelet transform and empirical mode decomposition. Detecting and analyzing incipient activities of partial discharge can provide useful information to diagnostics and prognostics about transformer insulation. So, partial discharge signals embedded in the electric current at ground conductor are measured using the Rogowski coil. These signals are submitted to noise suppression and the partial discharges waveforms are extracted through different ways： using discrete wavelet transform and using empirical mode decomposition. The comparison of these two methods show that the extraction with discrete wavelet transform results in a faster and simpler algorithm than the empirical mode decomposition. But this one produces more precise waveforms due its adaptive characteristic.