Partial Discharge Equipment

Partial Discharge (PD) Testing is a diagnostic technique used to assess the condition of electrical insulation in high-voltage equipment. Partial discharge occurs when a localised electrical discharge develops within an insulation system without completely bridging the insulation between conductors.

These discharges are often caused by defects such as voids, contamination, moisture ingress, ageing insulation, or manufacturing imperfections. While initially small, partial discharge activity can progressively damage insulation over time, eventually leading to equipment failure.

Because PD can be detected long before a catastrophic breakdown occurs, it is widely regarded as one of the earliest indicators of insulation deterioration in high-voltage assets such as transformers, switchgear, cables, motors, and generators.

Partial discharge monitoring provides valuable insight into the health of electrical assets by identifying insulation defects before they become critical failures.

By detecting problems early, organisations can:

• Reduce the risk of unexpected equipment failures
• Minimise costly downtime and production losses
• Improve safety and system reliability
• Support predictive and condition-based maintenance programs
• Extend asset service life
• Optimise maintenance budgets and replacement planning

Rather than relying solely on scheduled maintenance intervals, partial discharge monitoring allows maintenance teams to make informed decisions based on the actual condition of their equipment.

Partial discharge testing is commonly performed on a wide range of high-voltage electrical assets, including:

• Switchgear
• Power transformers
• High-voltage cables and cable accessories
• Electric motors
• Generators
• Gas-insulated switchgear (GIS)
• Renewable energy infrastructure
• Industrial power distribution systems

Any asset that relies on electrical insulation can potentially develop partial discharge activity, making PD testing an important component of a comprehensive asset management strategy.

Brandis Hire offers a range of industry-leading partial discharge testing and monitoring solutions suitable for both online and offline applications.

Available equipment includes:

• MPD 600 – Advanced partial discharge diagnostic system for high-accuracy testing and analysis.
• MPD 800 – State-of-the-art partial discharge measurement platform designed for comprehensive testing and monitoring applications.
• Fluke ii915 Acoustic Imager – Fast and effective acoustic imaging tool for locating partial discharge, corona, and gas leaks.
• MONTESTO – Portable online partial discharge monitoring solution for temporary and long-term condition monitoring projects.

Visit the individual product pages to learn more about each solution or contact the Brandis Hire team for assistance selecting the right equipment for your application.