Development of a Platform to Enable Real Time, Non-disruptive Testing and Early Fault Detection of Critical High Voltage Transformers and Switchgears in High Speed-rail

TL;DR

This paper presents a hardware platform that enables real-time, non-disruptive detection of partial discharges in high-voltage components of high-speed rail systems using RF signals, improving safety and maintenance.

Contribution

The development of a real-time RF-based PD detection system with cloud connectivity for high-speed rail transformers and switchgears is a novel approach for early fault detection.

Findings

System accurately captures RF signals for PD detection

Real-time monitoring enhances safety and reliability

Remote access facilitates maintenance response

Abstract

Partial discharge (PD) incidents can occur in critical components of high-speed rail electric systems, such as transformers and switchgears, due to localized insulation defects that cannot withstand electric stress, leading to potential flashovers. These incidents can escalate over time, resulting in breakdowns, downtime, and safety risks. Fortunately, PD activities emit radio frequency (RF) signals, allowing for the development of a hardware platform for real-time, non-invasive PD detection and monitoring. The system uses an RF antenna and high-speed data acquisition to scan signals across a configurable frequency range (100MHz to 3GHz), utilizing intermediate frequency modulation and sliding frequency windows for detailed analysis. When signals exceed a threshold, the system records the events, capturing both raw signal data and spectrum snapshots. Real-time data is streamed to a cloud server, offering remote access through a dedicated smartphone application, enabling maintenance teams to monitor and respond promptly. Laboratory testing has confirmed the system's ability to accurately capture RF signals and provide real-time PD monitoring, enhancing the reliability and safety of high-speed rail infrastructure.