WHITE PAPER
Practical Application of On-Line Partial Discharge Monitoring for the Improvement of Long-Term Power Reliability in Data Centers
B.D. Ellison, Application Sales Engineer IPEC US Inc.
stalled on-line PD Monitoring technology on different net- work layouts on MV, HV and EHV 1 cable and switchgear assets, learning what is needed for an effective imple- mentation of such a scheme.[1] 2. What is PD and PD-Monitoring Partial discharge is widely regarded as the predominant cause of long-term degradation and failure of high voltage (MV, HV and EHV) equipment. Partial discharge is a small discharge occurring between electrodes, specifically local to a defect in the insulation, Figure 1. Over time these small discharges, caused by disproportionate electrical stress across the defect site, will continually damage the insulation until it leads to a catastrophic failure. It is re- ported that 85% of disruptive failures are PD related. Partial Discharge (PD) is a familiar phenomenon to many electrical engineers and asset operators worldwide. On-line PD testing is performed while the equipment is energized at normal operating voltages. The testing is conducted during normal operating conditions; under typi- cal temperatures, voltage stresses, and vibration levels. It is a non-destructive test and does not use over voltages that could adversely affect the equipment. 3. Benefits of IPEC Permanently Installed On-Line PD Monitoring For large Data Center Operators, the deployment of on-
Summary Ensuring the reliability of critical electrical infrastructure has become a central priority for modern Data Center Operators (DCOs). As power densities rise and electrical architectures grow more complex, the ability to detect developing insulation defects, particularly partial discharge (PD), before they escalate into failures is essential for maintaining uptime and protecting high-value assets. Con- tinuous, on-line PD monitoring provides this capability by delivering real-time visibility into asset conditions across an entire electrical network. This white paper examines the large-scale deployment of permanently installed on-line PD monitoring systems and the practical lessons learned from implementing these technologies across thousands of assets for major global operators. Through these deployments, we demonstrate the operational, logistical, and technical requirements nec- essary to deliver effective monitoring at hyperscale, while highlighting the adaptability and resilience needed for in- tegration into evolving data center environments. While PD is the primary diagnostic focus, the monitoring infrastructure, analytical processes, and operational frame- works discussed here establish a versatile foundation for broader condition based maintenance strategies. The insights presented form a comprehensive reference for organizations seeking to strengthen electrical reliability through autonomous, scalable, and data driven monitoring solutions. The insights presented form a comprehensive reference for organizations seeking to strengthen electri- cal reliability through autonomous, scalable, and data driv- en monitoring solutions.-based maintenance strategies. 1. Introduction On-line PD testing is becoming a common tool for asset operators to detect and address network defects with minimal disruption of service. In order to implement a network of permanently installed, or ‘fixed’, installations there are many challenges which must be overcome. In this paper we discuss the application of permanently in-
Practical Application of On-Line Partial Discharge Monitoring for the Improvement of Long-Term Power R
different network layouts on MV, HV and EHV 1 cable and switchgear assets, lear needed for an effective implementation of such a scheme. [1] 2. What is PD and PD-Monitoring Partial discharge is widely regarded as the predominant cause of long-term degra failure of high voltage (MV, HV and EHV) equipment. Partial discharge is a sma occurring between electrodes, specifically local to a defect in the insulation, Figu these small discharges, caused by disproportionate electrical stress across the defe continually damage the insulation until it leads to a catastrophic failure. It is repo disruptive failures are PD related. Partial Discharge (PD) is a familiar phenomenon to many electrical engineers and worldwide. On-line PD testing is performed while the equipment is energized at n operating voltages. The testing is conducted during normal operating conditions;
Figure 1: PD Calculation example on simplified defect in polyurethane Figure 1: PD Calculation example on simplified defect in polyurethane typical temperatures, voltage stresses, and vibration levels. It is a non-destructive not use over voltages that could adversely affect the equipment.
___________________ 1: MediumVoltage(MV:1kVto33kV),HighVoltage(HV:33kVto220kV),ExtraHighVoltage(EHV,220kVto760kV)
POWERLINE Summer 2026 | 37
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