Why do I smell Ozone around switchgear? Anyone who has spent time in substations has probably noticed a metallic, chlorine-like smell every now and then. This smell is caused by ozone in the substation, but why is there ozone coming from switchgear, what is the significance, and what are the next steps? Ozone is one … Read more
System frequency at any electrical installation will tend to slow down and speed up or ‘drift’ away from its intended setting of usually 50/60Hz, all day every day. The aim of achieving a good phase lock is to ‘match’ the 50/60Hz reference of a PD test instrument with the system frequency at the time of recording PD data. … Read more
Following a previous article on PD phase plots, this article explains the importance of achieving a phase lock while capturing phase resolved partial discharge (PRPD) patterns. What is a phase lock? A phase lock is applied while recording PRPD patterns to ensure data quality. It effectively matches the frequency of your test instrument to the typical … Read more
Understanding and managing partial discharge (PD) is essential for maintaining the reliability, safety, and performance of high-voltage electrical assets. Partial discharge activity is one of the earliest indicators of insulation deterioration in electrical systems, and if left undetected, it can lead to equipment failure, costly outages, and significant operational disruption. This guide explains: what partial … Read more
My name is Esther Dudek and I am a consultant in the EV infrastructure team. My role in projects is often about how we analyse and interpret data, and then how we communicate what that data is telling us. I’m enjoying expanding that to include geospatial data. In the last few months I’ve been learning … Read more
My name is Paul Barnfather and I lead the team that develops and deploys EA Technology’s solutions for low-cost electric vehicle charging infrastructure and connections. I work closely with electricity network operators, developers, local government, senior asset managers, practitioners and regulators to try and make sure that electricity networks are ready for a low-carbon future. … Read more
My name is Dawn O’Brien and I have been working at EA Technology for 25 years. My day to day work life involves working closely with clients to model the health, consequence and risk for assets on their networks and enable them to make effective asset management decisions. As part of this process I run … Read more
My name is Ramiz Ahmed and I look after the Monitoring Services team in the Operations Business. The team is responsible for adding value to the data generated by various monitoring solutions we provide to our customers. This includes HV and LV, such as Astute HV Partial Discharge (PD) Monitoring, Alvin Reclosers, VisNet LV Monitoring … Read more
An interview with Dave A Roberts, Technical Director, EA Technology. In what way and to what extent do you foresee emerging technologies altering the traditional value chain characteristics of production, distribution and retail within electricity systems? The transition to a net zero economy will have a profound effect on the electricity sector. Decarbonising generation is … Read more
Managing ageing switchgear is an ongoing issue for a growing transmission and distribution network managing rising electricity generation and consumption and evolving industry dynamics. One of the most significant problems with old switchgear is lack of maintenance – and failures are often the result of pure oversight. Carrying out timely repairs is an essential part … Read more