A computer‐aided instrument for pattern recognition of partial discharges

In this paper a new computer‐aided digital system for partial discharge (PD) measurements is presented. The system is able to collect a great number of data, up to a pulse repetition rate of 100kHz, during the acquisition phase, thus allowing an off‐line analysis of PD data. After a description of the instrument, some experimental tests performed on epoxy specimens are here presented in terms of amplitude, phase and energy resolved histograms. Finally, emphasis is given to the very interesting use of the instrument for pattern recognition techniques in the discrimination and classification of discharges in HV components.