Monitor Today. Avoid Downtime Tomorrow!

Partial Discharge Monitoring

Prevent Downtime. Extend Asset Life. Lower Risk

See Failure Before It Happens.

Partial Discharge Monitoring for Critical Electrical Assets

Partial discharge monitoring helps utilities, OEMs, EPCs, renewables, heavy industry, data centres, hospitals, manufacturers and asset owners detect insulation defects before they lead to failure.

For transformers, switchgear, GIS and cables, ITL provides monitoring solutions that support safer operation, reduced downtime, informed maintenance decisions and longer asset life.

What is Partial Discharge Monitoring?

Partial discharge monitoring detects small electrical discharges within insulation systems before they develop into major faults. It provides early warning of insulation deterioration in HV equipment such as switchgear, transformers, GIS and cables.

Why Partial Discharge Monitoring Matters

Partial discharge activity can indicate developing defects that may lead to equipment failure, unplanned outages or safety risks. Monitoring helps asset owners identify problems early, plan maintenance and extend the life of critical electrical assets.

Online vs Offline Partial Discharge Testing

Online partial discharge testing is carried out while equipment remains in service, providing condition data without planned shutdowns. Offline testing is performed when equipment is isolated and can be useful for detailed investigation, commissioning or fault diagnosis.

Partial Discharge Monitoring for Switchgear

HV switchgear is a common source of partial discharge activity due to ageing insulation, contamination, poor connections or installation defects. Monitoring helps detect early warning signs before failures affect safety, reliability or continuity of supply.

Partial Discharge Monitoring for Transformers

Partial discharge in transformers can indicate insulation weakness, winding issues, bushing defects or internal degradation. Monitoring supports condition-based maintenance and helps reduce the risk of costly transformer failure.

Partial Discharge Monitoring for GIS

Gas Insulated Switchgear can develop partial discharge due to particles, insulation defects, voids or installation issues. UHF and other monitoring techniques can help identify developing faults in sealed GIS systems before they become critical.

Partial Discharge Monitoring for Cables

Partial discharge monitoring for HV cables helps identify insulation defects, joint problems, termination issues and ageing-related deterioration. Early detection supports targeted maintenance and reduces the risk of cable failure.

Sensors and Monitoring Options

Partial discharge monitoring can use a range of sensor technologies, including TEV, ultrasonic, HFCT, UHF and acoustic sensors. We can help identify the most suitable monitoring approach based on asset type, risk profile and operational requirements.

UK Partial Discharge Survey Services

We provide UK partial discharge survey services to help assess the condition of HV assets and identify early signs of insulation deterioration. Surveys can support maintenance planning, risk reduction and decisions on permanent monitoring.

Ongoing Projects & Initiatives

PD700X Modular High-Performance Partial Discharge Online Monitoring System

PD700X Modular High-Performance Partial Discharge Online Monitoring System

"If you operate HV switchgear, transformers, GIS or cables, we can help you assess the most suitable partial discharge monitoring solution. Contact our team to discuss your assets risks and project requirements"

– PDM Alliance Team

Installing UHF sensors for partial discharge monitoring is a bit like fitting an early warning system to high-voltage equipment such as switchgear or transformers. The aim is to detect tiny electrical sparks inside the insulation long before they become a serious fault.

The process normally starts with engineers identifying the best locations on the equipment where these signals can be detected clearly. Once the equipment is safely isolated, the sensors are carefully fitted either inside the enclosure or onto dedicated mounting points on the outside.

After the sensors are in place, screened cables are run neatly back to a monitoring unit. This unit acts like the “brain” of the system, constantly listening for high-frequency signals created by partial discharge activity.

Finally, the system is tested to ensure the sensors are correctly picking up signals and that there is no unwanted electrical interference. On new installations, this provides a baseline of the current partial discharge state and lays the groundwork for continuous monitoring data during operation. With legacy equipment, it provides a snapshot of the current partial discharge condition, giving maintenance teams early warning of insulation deterioration so repairs can be planned before a failure occurs.

GIS with UHF PD Sensor Installed

Gas Insulated Switchgear with UHF PD Sensors

Power Transformer for Partial Discharge Monitoring

Monitor Today. Avoid Downtime Tomorrow.

In today’s industrial and commercial environments, unplanned downtime is more than just an inconvenience; it can lead to lost production, damaged equipment, safety risks, missed deadlines, and high financial costs. The challenge is that many electrical failures develop silently over time, hidden inside switchgear, transformers, and critical power assets long before visible signs appear. One of the earliest indicators of insulation deterioration is partial discharge activity, a warning signal that equipment is beginning to weaken under electrical stress.
By choosing to monitor today, organisations move from reactive maintenance to proactive asset management. Continuous partial discharge monitoring provides real-time insight into the health of electrical systems, enabling maintenance teams to identify developing issues early, investigate trends, and plan corrective action before failures occur. Instead of being caught off guard by an unexpected outage, businesses can make informed decisions based on live condition data.
The benefits extend far beyond reliability alone. Early detection of Partial Discharge helps reduce emergency repair costs, minimise disruption to operations, improve workplace safety, and extend the operational life of valuable electrical infrastructure. It also provides greater confidence that critical assets are performing as they should, particularly in environments where uptime is essential.
Simply put, monitoring today means fewer surprises tomorrow. It is a smarter, safer, and more cost-effective approach to protecting the systems your business depends on every day.

Reach out to us today!

Providing PD hardware, surveys, testing and monitoring services

PD Analysis and Insights

Collecting partial discharge data is only the first step. The real value lies in expert analysis that turns complex signals into meaningful insights. By identifying the type, severity, and location of discharge activity, specialists can determine whether equipment is operating normally or showing early signs of insulation deterioration.

Data Review and Reporting

A professionally prepared PD analysis report gives asset owners a clear understanding of the condition of their equipment. Rather than relying on assumptions or reacting after a failure occurs, maintenance teams can make informed decisions based on accurate diagnostic information. This allows issues to be prioritised, maintenance to be planned effectively, and unnecessary outages or replacements to be avoided.

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Is it a Problem or Not

Expert interpretation also helps distinguish between harmless background noise and genuine developing faults. This reduces the risk of false alarms while ensuring critical defects are identified before they lead to costly failures, safety risks, or unplanned downtime.

Unbiased Feedback

With clear recommendations and condition-based insight, asset owners gain greater confidence in managing the health, reliability, and lifespan of their electrical assets. The result is improved operational reliability, reduced maintenance costs, and better long-term investment planning.