OMICRON introduces UHF 800 system

Sensitive ultra-high frequency partial discharge measurements in noisy testing environments

OMICRON’s portable, easy-to-use UHF 800 system performs sensitive offline and online partial discharge (PD) measurement and analysis in the ultra-high frequency (UHF) range from 100 to 2000 MHz. PD testing in the UHF range ensures sensitive measurements despite external noise. The system includes the UHF 800 measurement device and comprehensive PD measurement and analysis software.

Reliable insulation defect detection The UHF 800 ultra-high frequency PD testing system is used for insulation condition assessment and insulation defect detection of electrical equipment in noisy testing environments – especially in the case of gas-insulated switchgear (GIS), gas-insulated lines (GIL), oil-filled power transformers, and high-voltage (HV) power cable terminations. Adjustable bandwidth filters ensure an optimal signal-to-noise ratio best suited to the testing environment.

Fast and easy set up

UHF 800 features a portable and flexible modular design for fast and easy setup during type and routine testing in HV laboratories or test bays, on-site commissioning (site acceptance testing) and troubleshooting in the field.

Single-channel or multi-channel testing

One UHF 800 measurement device is used to detect PD activity in the UHF range for each measurement channel. The UHF 800 features two robust input channels for safe and easy fiber optic cable connections to the system’s MCU2 master control unit and additional devices for measurement or gating.

Compatible with MPD 800 system

The UHF 800 can be used as a stand-alone system or together with OMICRON’s MPD 800 PD measurement and analysis system in the same test setup for combined UHF and conventional PD measurements.

Especially in the case of oil-filled transformers, this combined PD measurement approach enables a complete assessment of the transformer’s insulation. The UHF 800 measurement device also includes a trigger for auxiliary measurement systems, such as OMICRON’s PDL 650 PD localization system for pinpointing the location of defects in transformers.

Rechargeable battery for hours of testing

Multiple measurement devices can be connected via fiber optic cables in a daisy chain for simultaneous, multi-channel PD measurement and analysis. Each measurement de-vice is powered with a rechargeable external battery for hours of uninterrupted testing.

Powerful software for PD measurement and analysis

The UHF 800 is used with OMICRON’s MPD Suite software which includes the latest, time-saving PD measurement and analysis features. These features include recording and replaying PD measurements, user-definable testing profiles, and customized reporting. The MPD Suite software is also used with the MPD 800 system.

Partial discharge testing: an essential diagnostic tool

Partial discharge (PD) testing is an essential, highly effective and non-destructive tool for assessing the insulation condition and detecting critical insulation defects in high-voltage (HV) and medium-voltage (MV) equipment. Conventional onsite PD measurements, such as those specified by the IEC 60270 standard, are often affected by noise in the surrounding environment.

Measurement alternative for noisy environments

PD measurements performed in the ultra-high frequency (UHF) range of 100 to 2000 MHz are a reliable measurement alternative. These measurements are especially useful for PD testing on gas-insulated switchgear (GIS), gas-insulated lines (GIL), oil-filled power transformers, and high-voltage (HV) power cable terminations located in noisy testing environments. Adjustable bandwidth filters ensure an optimal signal-to-noise ratio best suited to the testing environment.

This is because numerous noise sources, such as mobile communications, radar signals, and corona discharges, predominantly transmit in lower or narrow frequency ranges. Measurements performed in the UHF range result in a very high signal-to-noise ratio. Therefore, optimal PD measurement sensitivity is ensured with little or no interference from external noise.

Key UHF 800 Features

• Highly sensitive ultra-high frequency PD measurements in the range from 100 to 2000 MHz.

• Spectrum Evaluation feature and adjustable measurement filters for optimal signal-to-noise ratio in noisy environments.

• Robust and flexible for PD measurements in HV laboratories, testing bays and in the field.

• Supports CIGRE “Application guide for sensitivity verification” (Brochure 654).

• Single-channel or synchronous, multi-channel offline and online UHF PD measurements on gas-insulated switchgear (GIS), gas-insulated lines (GIL), oil-filled transformers and HV power cable terminations.

• Configurable user interface for individualized PD testing and customized reporting.