New UltraTEV is ‘world’s most powerful PD monitoring system’

09/06/2009

EA Technology says its all-new UltraTEV Monitor is the most powerful and versatile system ever developed for monitoring Partial Discharge (PD) activity in HV and MV substation assets.

The system uses a network of measurement nodes, daisy-chained over a single cable to a central hub, providing individual monitoring of PD activity in up to 250 substation assets simultaneously.

EA Technology director Neil Davies said: “The UltraTEV Monitor is a truly multifunctional system, which delivers detailed information on the condition of live assets, as well as identifying PD faults before they develop into disruptive failures.

“It not only detects and locates PD activity on the surface and internal to components, but also measures, records, analyses and provides management reports on changes in PD over time.

“As an added bonus, it functions as a continuous PD alarm system, automatically searching for critical levels and trends in PD activity and transmitting alerts to asset managers over a choice of media, including email and text messages.”

Each measurement node comprises a contact TEV (Transient Earth Voltage) probe and a contact temperature sensor, with the facility to plug in an additional TEV probe and two ultrasonic sensors. An ambient temperature and humidity sensor can be added to any node, enhancing the system’s ability to monitor changes in environmental conditions, which can influence PD activity.

The new nodes feature precedence measurement capabilities, using time of flight calculations to locate the source of PD activity to an accuracy of 1ns, equivalent to 30cm. Earlier PD location instruments were typically only accurate to between 3 and 5ns.

The system also provides the option of adding Radio Frequency Current Transformers (RFCTs) to monitor PD activity in cables.

Permanent or temporary installation of the UltraTEV Monitor™ is greatly simplified by EA Technology’s new UltraBUS™ system, which carries electrical power as well as data between the nodes and the hub over a single cable. Locating and re-locating individual probes and sensors is made easy with a choice of magnetic bases and brackets.

The system’s web-enabled central hub houses a powerful processor, data storage and analytical software, with the option of a touch-screen colour interface. Authorised users can access the system from anywhere in the world, using standard web browsers. Communications facilities are also provided via email, private networks and a range of mobile protocols, including 3G mobile broadband.

Users have the choice of using the system’s bespoke software to analyse and report on PD activity, or EA Technology’s PD analysis experts can monitor and interpret the information independently; with reference to EA Technology’s vast database of historical PD measurements.

Mr Davies added: “The development of the UltraTEV Monitor™ embodies more than 35 years’ experience of working with PD and listening to customers all over the world to determine what they want from a PD monitoring system.

“The result is a system of unprecedented accuracy, versatility and value to asset managers and engineers. It is also highly cost effective, because it replaces several different PD instruments with a single, integrated solution.”

For more information and to download an UltraTEV Monitor™ podcast, visit www.eapodcasts.comEnds

Contacts
Neil Davies, Development Director, EA Technology
Direct Dial: +44(0)151 347 2308
Email: neil.davies@eatechnology.com

John Hutchinson, Business Communications Associates
Direct Dial: +44 (0) 1745 583764
Email: john.hutch@dial.pipex.com