Simulation of GIS partial discharge UHF sensor verification based on S₁₁ and S₂₁ cross-comparison

Ultra-high frequency (UHF) detection method is highly accurate and has fault localization function. At present, most gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) systems are equipped with online UHF monitoring devices to detect partial discharges. In order to ensure the accuracy of the detection results, UHF sensors need to be verified regularly. UHF sensors used for on-line monitoring are usually installed at the handholes of the GIS and cannot be removed. Measuring laboratory verification indexes (e.g. equivalent height, dynamic range, etc.) of the sensors directly is very difficult. However, it is easier to measure S₁₁ of the sensor to be verified and S₂₁ between it and the neighboring sensors by injecting power signals. Accordingly, this paper presents a simulation study of the GIS partial discharge UHF sensor verification method based on the joint cross-comparison of S₁₁ and S₂₁. Firstly, the equivalent S-parameter network and the change characteristics of S₁₁ and S₂₁ during the verification of GIS UHF sensors are analyzed. Secondly, UHF sensors and degraded sensors caused by typical factors are modelled. Finally, the above sensors are coupled in the handholes of different structural GIS according to the actual situation. The S₁₁ and S₂₁ curves of various types of sensors are simulated and the accuracy of the simulation models are verified by experiments. Analyzing the results of this simulation model, S₁₁ is mainly related to the sensor performance and the handhole; S₂₁ is mainly related to the sensor performance and the GIS structure. Therefore, S₁₁ and S₂₁ can be used as indicators for on-site verification of GIS UHF sensors. Then, the performance of the sensors can be effectively verified by cross-comparing S₁₁ and S₂₁ at corresponding positions across different phases of GIS.