ICMobserver - partial discharge monitoring system

State of the art solution for partial discharge monitoring

The ICMobserver is a versatile partial discharge monitoring system that provides everything required for monitoring and in-depth condition assessment in one instrument.

Parallel voltage and PD measurement

Digital signal processing

All analysis options built-in

Monitor any signal

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About the product

The ICMobserver combines the unmatched quality of the analogue front end of our current PD detectors with the additional features and benefits of the developments in digital signal processing during the last 20 years.

The ICMobserver is a versatile state-of-the-art monitoring system, which combines four devices in one solution: A spectrum analyser, a time domain oscilloscope, voltage measurement, and a PD monitor.

With the digital signal processing, the spectrum analyser offers a vast range of possible bandwidths. This greatly improves capabilities to deal with an elevated noise-floor that is inevitable in on-site monitoring conditions.

The built-in time domain oscilloscope together with fully parallel phase-resolved partial discharge patterns (PRPD) on all channels significantly expands the analysis options, so that you will be able to give an in-depth analysis of the condition of the monitored asset.

The modular concept of the hardware and software ensures expandability of the system for future applications, e.g., dissolved gas analysis (DGA) monitoring and temperature and load surveillance providing one data aggregation point.

FAQ / Frequently Asked Questions

Why is PD monitoring more and more common for MV and HV assets?

Medium and high voltage assets, such as power transformers, cable systems, and generators, are of high importance for every grid. With high electric fields in comparatively small spaces, failure can lead to extensive damage and long outages. PD monitoring with the ICMobserver can help to keep these units in service for longer by early identification of insulation defects and efficient planning of maintenance or repair work. Thus, PD monitoring can prevent costly asset breakdowns and system failures.

What is the difference between ICMobserver and other PD monitoring instruments?

The ICMobserver combines Power Diagnostix’s 30 years of experience in hardware design with the advantages of digital processing. This combination of an excellent analogue front end, together with the flexibility and analysis options of digital signal processing, yields in an unmatched precision and sensitivity.

What kind of accessories can be used with the ICMobserver?

The ICMobserver can use the established broad range of PD coupling units, cables, and other accessories from Megger PD Aachen to cover most of the possible monitoring situations.

Interpreting test results

Evaluation of phase-resolved partial discharge patterns (PRPD)

The evaluation of a PRPD pattern enables to evaluate the type and hence severity of a problem. Most partial discharge (PD) faults, such as insulation damages, voids, surface discharges, or floating points, will have a completely different PD pattern.

While already the PRPD provides a significant amount of information, the parallel measurement is necessary to get as much information as possible about the test object and its environment.

Such information can be, e.g., temperature, installation condition, age of the test object, previous faults, or weather conditions. The ICMobserver’s built-in web interface stores all information provided: PRPD, high voltage, measured voltage shapes, and signal provided to the analogue inputs.

FAQ / Frequently Asked Questions

What device can be used to connect to the ICMobserver?

The ICMobserver can be used with any device having a web browser. For a comfortable user experience, we recommend a minimum screen size of 11 inch.

Is an external synchronisation source mandatory?

Often, the high voltage applied to the test setup is not in phase with the line voltage and may not even be the same frequency as the line voltage. In such cases, it is best to synchronise each channel of the ICMobserver with an external signal which is usually derived from the coupling unit but can also be taken from an extra voltage divider. Nevertheless, in the absence of an external synchronisation signal, the ICMobserver automatically synchronises with the frequency of the line voltage of its supplying power (usually 50 or 60 Hz). Therefore, an external synchronisation signal is not mandatory but recommended.

How often should the ICMobserver be calibrated?

The ICMobserver does not need any calibration, nor does it require any maintenance on a regular basis, as the PD measurement is a relative measurement that is calibrated with a reference source prior to a measurement being taken. The calibration impulse generator as the reference source, however, should be calibrated on an annual basis to ensure that its output signal remains within the recommended boundaries.