ICMflex - partial discharge detector, partial discharge fault locator, and loss factor measurement system
Power Diagnostix’s ICMflex provides a deep insight into the insulation condition of your HV asset
Power Diagnostix’s ICMflex provides a deep insight into the insulation condition of your HV asset
Key Benefits
- Simplifies difficult measurement tasks
- Three different kinds of measurements combined in one instrument
- Minimise testing and operation time
- A single instrument for different high voltage assets and different measurements
Description
The ICMflex partial discharge (PD) detector, partial discharge fault locator, and loss factor measurement system is a versatile instrument for distribution-class cable testing and rotating machine testing, as well as other field tasks involving partial discharge detection, loss factor (tan delta) measurements, and partial discharge fault location. It has been designed to simplify testing and allows you to perform a range of different measurement tasks with one instrument.
The key features of the ICMflex are:
Modular design that enables you to combine partial discharge detection, partial discharge fault locating, and tan delta measurements according to your specific needs.
Can be remotely controlled with the ICMflex software via Bluetooth or fibre optic cable
Effective noise suppression methods
Available for many different voltage levels
The all-in-one software panel provides a comprehensive overview of all relevant measurement data
Software-supported step-by-step guide
To receive software updates or user guides, please contact support.pdix@megger.com or call +49 241 74927. Please have your device serial number ready or state your reason for interest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the advantage of a combined partial discharge and tan delta measurement on rotating machines?
PD measurements are a reliable and accurate method for determining the service life and quality of stator bars and stator windings in high voltage generators and electric motors, but up to now there is no international standard that defines acceptance levels for partial discharges during factory acceptance tests for these types of high voltage components. Where PD acceptance tests lack standardization, this is not the case for tan delta measurements thanks to IEC 600034-27-3, published by the International Electrotechnical Commission in 2015. This standard defines the acceptance criteria for form-wound stator bars with slot corona protection and a nominal voltage of 6 kV or higher. So, the accuracy and efficiency of a high -frequency off-line PD measurement complements a low -frequency tan delta measurement and, therefore, combines the best of both worlds.
What kind of voltage source can be used to perform measurements with the ICMflex?
The ICMflex can be used with any fixed or portable high voltage power supply, such as transformers, hi-pots, resonant test systems, motor/generator sets, and VLF systems.
What is the loss factor (or dissipation factor)? What is tan delta?
Building high voltage equipment requires using insulation material. Commonly used insulation materials show losses due to resistive currents or polarization currents of dipoles. Often, the magnitude of these losses can be used as an indicator for the quality of the insulation. In the case of assessing the quality of aged insulation, increased dissipation indicates oil or paper decomposition (transformers), humidity, electro-chemical processes (water -trees in polymeric cables),or heavy partial discharge. With an ideal capacitor (C), the resistance of the insulation material (dielectric) is infinitely large. When an AC voltage (V) is applied, the current (IC) leads the voltage by exactly ϕ = 90 °. A component close to this ideal capacitor with a negligible resistance should be used as standard (or reference) capacitor for the reference branch of a dielectric loss analyzer. Technical insulation systems are usually built of less than perfect insulation material, resulting in a small current (IR) in phase to the supplied voltage (V). This current can be described by a parallel resistor (R) to an ideal capacitor (C). The phase difference between the real current (I) and the ideal current (IC) can be described as phase angle: ‘deltaδ’. Because P = Q · tan deltaδ, the losses, which are proportional to tan deltaδ, will usually be given as a value of tan deltaδ to express the quality of an insulation material. Therefore, the angle ‘delta’δ is described as ‘loss angle’ and tan deltaδ as ‘loss factor’. With a good insulation of low-loss capacitors (tan deltaδ ~ 0° and ϕphi ~90 °), the ideal current (IC) is approximately equal to the real current (I); resulting in a negligible deviation of the values tan deltaδ and cos phiϕ. In Europe, the dissipation factor tan delta is mostly used to describe the dielectric losses, while in North America the power factor (PF = cos phiϕ) is commonly used. The software of the ICMflex displays both values, together with the calculated capacitance, the voltages, and the frequency.
