Power Transformer Numerical Modeling to Locate Partial Discharge Source Using the UHF Technique

Using three-dimensional full-wave electromagnetic simulations with Ansys HFSS, this paper analyses the effect of the actual design of a small power transformer on the propagation of ultra-high frequency (UHF) waves from a partial discharge (PD) source to four UHF antennas. Based on these results, the goal is to localize the source of PD. Three power transformer models of different complexity are used to do that. Due to the effects of their all taken into account reflections and diffractions caused by the metal parts in the power transformer, the received PD waveforms at UHF sensors are distorted to an appropriate extent. Time differences of arrivals (TDOAs) of the signals at pairs of four simulated UHF sensors are investigated to estimate the location of the PD source. The benefits of this assessment of the PD source location using this simulation software are analysed.