NDB Technologies AE-150 User manual

NDB TECHNOLOGIES INC.
AE-150 –Partial Discharge Localization System
MU012-GEN-ENG Version 3.0
AE-150
User Manual

AE- 1 5 0 s y s t e m –U s e r M a n u a l
2
Table of Contents
Contact Us.................................................................................................................. 4
Safety Warnings......................................................................................................... 4
Safety Symbols....................................................................................................... 4
Safety Precautions ................................................................................................. 5
Overview.................................................................................................................... 6
General overview................................................................................................... 6
Inspection method..................................................................................................... 7
Installation ................................................................................................................. 8
Transformer tank ................................................................................................... 8
Preliminary setup................................................................................................... 9
Communication setup ......................................................................................... 10
Phase synchronization ......................................................................................... 10
PD channel ........................................................................................................... 11
AE-150 installation............................................................................................... 13
Operation................................................................................................................. 16
Initial setup .......................................................................................................... 17
PrPD Acquisition .................................................................................................. 19
Waveform acquisition.......................................................................................... 22
Moving the AE-150 to a new location ................................................................. 25
Data selection ...................................................................................................... 26
Localization .......................................................................................................... 26
Create a report ........................................................................................................ 27
Additional features .................................................................................................. 27
Monitoring ........................................................................................................... 27
Auto-Loc............................................................................................................... 30
Battery ..................................................................................................................... 32
Battery replacement............................................................................................ 32
Charging the batteries ......................................................................................... 32
Technical specifications ........................................................................................... 33
Appendix 1: Kit content ........................................................................................... 35
Optional magnetic probe holder kit .................................................................... 38

AE- 1 5 0 s y s t e m –U s e r M a n u a l
3
Accessories .......................................................................................................... 39
Appendix 2 ............................................................................................................... 40
Main unit overview.............................................................................................. 40
Appendix 3: Mirador Tx detailed ............................................................................. 44
Test file ................................................................................................................ 44
General view........................................................................................................ 44
AE-150 control side tab ....................................................................................... 44
Data Analysis side tab .......................................................................................... 49
Appendix 4: UHF Antenna ....................................................................................... 57
Installation ........................................................................................................... 58
Appendix 5: Flexible UHF Antenna .......................................................................... 59
Installation ........................................................................................................... 60

AE- 1 5 0 s y s t e m –U s e r M a n u a l
4
Contact Us
Phone [phone]
Address 1405 St-Jean-Baptiste Avenue, office 111
Quebec, QC G2E 5K2
Canada
Web Site www.ndbtech.com
Technical Support 1 [phone]
9AM to 4PM, Eastern Time (GMT -5)
Email: [e-mail]
Safety Warnings
Follow all the safety rules to avoid dangerous electric shocks. Only properly
trained personnel should operate the AE-150 instrument. Safety is the
responsibility of the user.
Read all safety and operating instructions before using the equipment.
Retain this User Manual for future reference.
Heed all safety warnings on the equipment and in the manual.
Follow all operating instructions.
Safety Symbols
Hazard symbol referring to the instruction manual: The product is
marked with this symbol when it is necessary for you to refer to the
instruction manual in order to protect yourself against personal
injury or to protect against damage to the product.
The hazardous high voltage symbol alerts you of the presence of an
un-insulated voltage with enough magnitude to produce an electric
shock.

AE- 1 5 0 s y s t e m –U s e r M a n u a l
5
Safety Precautions
Do not use the AE-150 instrument in an area with risks of explosions.
Stand clear of all parts of the high-voltage circuit, including all
connections, unless the test set is de-energized and all parts of the test
circuit are grounded.
Keep other people away from test activities with suitable barricades or
warnings.
Treat all terminals of high-voltage power equipment as potential electric
shock hazards. Voltages may be induced at these terminals because of
proximity to energized high-voltage lines or equipment.
Maintenance must be performed by qualified personnel who are familiar
with the construction and operation of the test set and the hazards
involved.
Wearing rubber gloves is recommended as a routine safety precaution.
The AE-150 system uses strong magnets which may represent injuries if
not used properly. The user must keep clear any body part from the
magnets when performing installation. Keep any ferromagnetic material
away from the magnets to minimize injury risks.
Acoustic gel/grease may be toxic for human/animal consumption. Keep
away from children and animals.
High-voltage discharges and strong electric or magnetic fields
may interfere with heart pacemakers. If you have a pacemaker,
obtain medical advice on the possible risks before getting close
to the energized test set.

AE- 1 5 0 s y s t e m –U s e r M a n u a l
6
Overview
General overview
The AE-150 is designed to localize partial discharge in power transformers by
correlating data from its acoustic and high frequency sensors. The AE-150 has
many acquisition modes, each used for either detecting, locating or monitoring
partial discharge activity in an oil-filled power transformer.
The AE-150 main unit is mounted on the transformer tank using its powerful
magnets that will hold the four acoustic sensors firmly against the tank wall.
Partial discharge activity is measured by all four acoustic sensors and by the AE-
150 PD channel, through an HFCT clamp, UHF antenna or other type of electric
coupling device.
Acquired signals are correlated with power line Phase using the wireless AC-
Sync module or from the output of a coupler.
Acquired data is sent to Mirador Tx software where all advanced positioning and
monitoring functions are implemented. This software also allows easy data
manipulation and reporting.

AE- 1 5 0 s y s t e m –U s e r M a n u a l
7
Inspection method
The following sequence summarizes the inspection method covered in this
manual. It is recommended to follow this sequence in order to obtain optimal
results.

AE- 1 5 0 s y s t e m –U s e r M a n u a l
8
Installation
Transformer tank
If the tank size information is not available from the transformer schematics, a
non-conductive measuring tape can be used to measure the transformer tank
dimensions. Keep those values for later as they will be required in Mirador Tx
software. These measurements are crucial and needs to be taken with great
precision.
On the transformer tank, determine an origin point location from which X, Y & Z
axis will start from (next figure configuration suggested).
The tank dimension measurements, origin point and axis will be used in Mirador
Tx software to locate the AE-150 position on the tank.

AE- 1 5 0 s y s t e m –U s e r M a n u a l
9
Preliminary setup
The AE-150 system contains many accessories and modules. Visually inspect all
modules, cables and accessories. Any deterioration may result in poor test
results.
Use the provided battery charger to recharge the instrument’s battery. The
battery charger can stay connected to the AE-150 while being used.
AE-150 main module assembly:
Install and secure all four acoustic sensors to each corner of the AE-
150 main module.
Connect the acoustic sensor’s coax cable to the appropriate channel
input.
Install the two antennas on the AE-150 main module:
oInstall the phase synchronization antenna (blue stripes) on
the proper antenna connector (near the AE Channel 2
connector).
oInstall the communication antenna (yellow stripes) on the
proper antenna connector (near AE Channel 1 connector).
Note: The antennas must be installed at all time while using the AE-150, even
if hardwired communication is used.

AE- 1 5 0 s y s t e m –U s e r M a n u a l
10
Communication setup
The AE-150 can be setup for wireless or hardwired communication.
Tip: Hardwired communication offers a faster data transfer speed
than wireless communication.
Set the AE-150 communication mode:
Turn the instrument ON by pressing and holding the power button
for a second. The indicators will blink during initialization.
Hardwired communication: The wireless communication indicator
must be OFF. To toggle this indicator, press and hold the
communication selection button for four seconds, then release it.
The instrument will restart automatically. Then connect one end of
the provided AE-150-RS232 serial cable to the communication port
of the AE-150 main module, and the other end to the computer.
Tip: For extra cable length, use the provided WIR-X-077 serial
extension cable. If your computer does not have an RS232 serial
port, use the provided RS232 to USB adapter.
Wireless communication: The communication indicator must be ON.
To toggle this indicator, press and hold the communication selection
button for four seconds, then release it. The instrument will restart
automatically. Connect the AE-150-USB wireless module to the
computer.
Phase synchronization
The AE-150-SYNC module wirelessly transmits a network phase reference to the
AE-150 module.
Connect the AE-150-SYNC module to a voltage source (example: wall
power outlet) synchronized with the transformer under test. The front
indicator will turn ON. It is recommended to position the AE-150-SYNC
module at a reasonable distance from the AE-150 main module
(maximum distance: 30m/100ft) to ensure good wireless communication.
Note: Alternatively to standard wireless method, the user could synchronize
both modules by connecting a BNC to BNC coaxial cable from the AE-150-
SYNC module (Sync Out connector) to the AE-150 main module (Phase In) or