A Method to Monitor Vacuum Degree Using Capacitive Partial Discharge Coupler

Internal pressure of vacuum interrupter (VI) is one of the most important parameters in VI operation and may increase due to the outgassing from the materials inside VI or gas permeation through metal flange or ceramic vessel. The increase of the pressure above a certain level leads to the failures of switching or insulation. Therefore, an effective pressure check of VI is essential and an analysis of partial discharge (PD) characteristics is an effective monitoring method to identify the degree of the internal pressure of VI. This paper introduces a research work on monitoring the internal pressure of VI by analyzing PDs which were measured using a capacitive PD coupler. The authors have developed cost effective capacitive coupler based on the ceramic material that has an excellent insulation properties and the main component of the capacitive coupler is made by SrTiO3. Detectable internal pressure range and distinguishability of the internal pressure of VI were investigated. From the PD tests results, the internal pressure range, from 10 -2 torr to 500 torr, can be monitored by PD measurements using the capacitive coupler and PD inception voltage (PDIV) follows the Paschen's law. In addition, rise time of PD pulse at 13.2kV decreases with the increase of the internal pressure of VI.