A Method for Separating Multisource Partial Discharges in a Substation Based on Selected Bispectra of UHF Signals

A method for separating multisource partial discharges (PDs) in a substation is proposed based on selected bispectra of ultrahigh frequency (UHF) electromagnetic waves. Bispectra are sensitive to Gaussian noises and processes of symmetrical distribution. The phase information contained in bispectra can be useful and important for further signal processing. Bifrequencies where Fisher-like class separability measures between signals’ bispectra achieve their maximums are selected as characteristic parameters of the signals. Then, the selected bispectra are utilized for training the radial basis neural network to separate PD UHF signals in a substation. The method is used to analyze simulated UHF signals mixed with Gaussian white noise and frequency-fixed interference, and to separate PD UHF signals that are collected in a 500 kV substation. In order to prove the validity of the proposed separation method, the localization results are compared with the results calculated by time delay sequence, and the proposed separating algorithm is verified in the interference circumstances of a substation. However, the exact location of PD sources cannot be calculated according to the time delay sequence when the PD sources in a substation are close to each other or there are fewer than four antennas for receiving signals.