PD source identification with novel discharge parameters using counterpropagation neural networks

Computer aided partial discharge (PD) source identification using different multidimensional discharge patterns is widely regarded as an important tool for insulation diagnosis. In this paper, a neural network (NN) approach to PD pattern classification is presented. The approach is based on applying variants of the counterpropagation NN architecture to the classification of PD patterns. These patterns are derived from physically related discharge parameters, different from those commonly used. It is shown that considerable improvements of the classification quality can be obtained when an extended counterpropagation network with a dynamically changing network topology is applied to patterns that employ the voltage difference between consecutive pulses instead of the phase of occurrence as the main discharge parameter. Furthermore, using a particular parameter vector that takes the correlation between consecutive discharges into account also allows to solve the rejection problem with this type of NN.