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resilient deployment model capable of operating at true hyperscale. 6.4 Implementation into BMS Systems Because data acquisition, processing, and PD identifi- cation occur directly within the substation (close to the monitored assets) the system can easily feed information into on-site interfaces such as local HMIs, SCADA net- works, and existing alarm infrastructure. This enables im- mediate visibility and basic alerting at the substation level. However, in large-scale data center environments where electrical networks span multiple buildings, regions, or even countries, it becomes essential for facility teams to access results remotely. Integrating PD monitoring out- puts into Building Management Systems (BMS), Network Operations Centers (NOCs), and enterprise-level dash- boards allows condition monitoring engineers and oper- ators to evaluate asset health without physically visiting each site. A key advantage of continuous PD monitoring over pe- riodic testing is the ability to visualize long-term activity trends - identifying whether PD levels are stable, increas- ing, or correlated with load profiles or environmental con- ditions. Centralizing this information across thousands of assets enables operators to quickly identify abnormal pat- terns, prioritize high-risk sites, and allocate maintenance resources where they will have the greatest impact. This seamless integration of detailed PD insights into existing operational platforms enhances situational awareness and supports more strategic, data-driven decision-making. For IPEC clients, all this intelligence comes together with- in iSM — the Intelligent Substation Monitor. Every 24 hours, iSM assigns a Criticality Score from 0 to 100 for each channel and associated asset, using historical sensor data to determine health and risk. The longer the system operates, the more accurate these scores become, as iSM continuously learns from trends and automatically detects increases in PD activity over time. Assets requir- ing the most urgent attention are clearly highlighted in the iSM dashboard, giving operators immediate insight into emerging issues. With this information, Data Center Op- erators can efficiently prioritize inspections, plan targeted
shutdowns, and schedule repairs based on actual asset condition rather than fixed maintenance intervals. 6.5 3-Phase Implementation While autonomous data collection, processing, and cen- tralized analysis are fundamental to a large-scale monitor- ing network, they represent only one part of a successful deployment. Effective implementation also requires a clear operational framework so that emerging issues can be correctly diagnosed and addressed before they esca- late into failures. Once the system identifies PD activity, operators must review the data, validate the system’s assessment, and determine appropriate next steps—which may include on- site verification, targeted location work, remediation plan- ning, or follow-up analysis. Because every Data Center Operator has different resources, security requirements, and operational models, ownership of this workflow must remain flexible. In our current largescale deployment, the DCO has cho- sen to have IPEC manage all aspects of integration with external systems, ensuring clean data flow into alarms, control environments, and third party infrastructure. The DCO, with IPEC’s support, simultaneously develops and maintains its own internal dashboards and operational views to align with its existing asset management work- flows. This blended approach allows each party to focus on its strengths: IPEC delivers expert PD analysis, com- munications integration, and system oversight, while the operator leverages internal tools and teams to execute maintenance decisions effectively. Using the PWR Cycle™ framework, IPEC works collabo- ratively with clients to tailor this process so that continu- ous monitoring becomes a seamless, high value compo- nent of the broader electrical reliability strategy. Plan
The first phase of the PWR Cycle™ is Planning, during which a comprehensive assessment of all electrical assets is conducted. This stage establishes the foun- dation for an effective reliability strategy by evaluating the current condition of equipment, identifying assets Practical Application of On-Line Partial Discharge Monitoring for the Improvement of Long-Term Power Reliability in Data Centers B.D. Ellison 2026
For IPEC clients, all this intelligence comes together within iSM — the Intelligent Substation Monitor. Every 24 hours, iSM assigns a Criticality Score from 0 to 100 for each channel and associated asset, using historical sensor data to determine health and risk. The longer the system
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