This paper discusses the development of a simulation model to study the propagation of partial discharge (PD) pulses of transformers in a 500 kV substation. The results will be used to design an on-line PD monitoring system for transformers. The impedance matrix of a 500 kV, singlephase transformer is computed based on geometry data and its external coupling network (often referred to as coupling impedance) is calculated with electromagnetic transients program (EMTP). It was found that the frequency characteristic of the coupling network is complex and that the traditional lumped coupling capacitance representation is only feasible at t60 kHz. The entire substation network was included to calculate the PD propagation of the transformer. PD responses are obtained at the tank grounding and 500 kV bushing tap grounding with a simulated PD pulse injected at the 500 kV terminal and 220 kV terminal of the transformer, respectively Simulation shows that, using the resonant frequency of the substation network as monitoring frequency, one effectively can increase the monitoring sensitivity. The off-line and online PD calibration also can be made based on the developed simulation model.
1070-9878/99/ $3.00 0 1999 IEEE