Series-arc Discharges

Abstract: This paper dealt with the frequency component analysis of acoustic signals produced by corona and series-arc discharges as a diagnostic technique for closed-switchboards. Corona and series-arc discharge were simulated by a needle-plane electrode and an arc generator specified in UL1699, respectively. Acoustic signal was detected by a wideband acoustic sensor with a frequency bandwidth of 4 Hz∼100 kHz (-3 dB). We analyzed frequency spectrums of the acoustic signals detected in various discharge conditions. The results showed that acoustic signals mainly exist in ranges from 30 kHz to 60 kHz. From the experimental results, an acoustic detection system which consists of a constant current power supply (CCP), a low noise amplifier (LNA) and a band pass filter was designed and fabricated. The CCP separates the signal component from the DC source of acoustic sensor, and the LNA has a gain of 40 dB in ranges of 280 Hz∼320 kHz. The high and the low cut-off frequency are 30 kHz and 60 kHz, respectively. We could detect corona and series-arc discharges without any interference by th