Research and Application of Peak Detector Circuits for Online Partial Discharge Monitoring

Abstract

Partial Discharge (PD) is a primary indicator of insulation degradation in high-voltage power equipment, and its application in online monitoring is critical for predictive maintenance. PD events are characterized by their ultra-short pulse and wide spectral bandwidth. While peak detector circuits are widely utilized to quantify discharge intensity, there is a lack of systematic understanding regarding the dynamic relationship between varying pulse characteristics and the measured output. This gap leads to ambiguity in interpreting PD severity. This paper experimentally investigates the inherent transient characteristic of state-of-the-art peak detector circuit topology derived from established literature. The primary focus is to simulate the output voltage response when the circuit is subjected to input pulses of identical peak voltage but varying pulse widths and rise times. This research provides essential characteristics for peak detector application in PD systems. These findings are vital for advancing the accurate application of peak detector circuits in high-reliability online PD monitoring systems.