Frequency Spectrum Analysis of Electromagnetic Waves Radiated by Electric Discharges

Abstract – In this paper, we analyzed the frequency spectrum of the electromagnetic waves radiated by an electric discharge as a basic study to develop an on-line diagnostic technique for power equipment installed inside closed-switchboards. In order to simulate local and series arc discharges caused by an electric field concentration and poor connections, three types of electrode systems were fabricated, consisting of needle and plane electrodes and an arc generator meeting the specifications of UL 1699. The experiment was carried out in an electromagnetic anechoic chamber, and the measurement system consisted of a PD free transformer, a loop antenna with a frequency bandwidth of 150 kHz–30 MHz, an ultra log periodic antenna with a frequency bandwidth of 30 MHz–2 GHz, and an EMI test receiver with a frequency bandwidth of 3 Hz–3 GHz. According to the experimental results, the frequency spectra of the electrical discharges were widely distributed across a range of 150 kHz–400 MHz, depending on the defects, while commonly found between 150 kHz and 10 MHz. Therefore, considering the ambient noise and antenna characteristics, the best frequency bandwidth for a measurement system to monitor abnormal conditions by detecting electromagnetic waves in closed-switchboards is 150 kHz–10 MHz