Overcoming synchronization issues in wireless technology Partial Discharge measurement

In this paper, several aspects of the fundamentals of wireless Partial Discharge (PD) measurements are first discussed. Then, the relevance of the problem of voltage synchronization in PD wireless diagnosis is outlined. When portable instruments are used for PD detection, the main issue is the voltage measurement at the site where the PD detection is carried out. When such analysis is carried out over shielded cables, the AC (50/60 Hz) voltage reference signal is not easily detectable, while one of the basic parameters for PD diagnosis, the displacement of the inception voltage of the PD as compared to the reference voltage, is not available. Even if highperformance sensors are readily available on the market, the authors are investigating the possibility to use remotely measured reference voltage at the closest accessible substation to create a reliable reference, thus reducing the time and associated costs required for performing field wireless measurements.