Microstrip antenna design for on-line partial discharge measurement in load break switches
Phethai Nimsanong · 2023
This paper introduces the design of a rectangular microstrip antenna patch intended to measure electromagnetic waves generated by the activities of partial discharges (PD) in load break switches (LBS). The antenna is designed to operate at frequencies of 0.8, 1.0, and 1.2 GHz, using FR-4 as the substrate material with a relative permittivity of 4.3. The sensor's design emphasizes a slim, plate-like structure that can be conveniently installed within the existing LBS of the MEA power system. The antenna's design was accomplished using MATLAB software, resulting in a return loss of less than -10 dB. The PD experiment's test setup adheres to the IEC 60270 standard. The prototype antenna effectively measures electromagnetic waves in the UHF band originating from PD events. The pattern of PD measured by the prototype antenna closely resembles the conventional PD measurement.