Detection of partial discharge in SF₆ gas using a carbon nanotube-based gas sensor

For electrical insulation diagnosis of gas-insulated switchgear (GIS), detection of partial discharge (PD) generated in sulfur hexafluoride (SF ₆) gas is important. This paper describes a new detection method of PD generated in SF₆ gas using a gas sensor composed of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The gas sensor was fabricated by electrokinetic manipulation of semiconducting MWCNTs using positive dielectrophoresis. The MWCNT gas sensor and a point-to-plane electrode system were placed in a steel tank filled with SF₆ gas at atmospheric pressure. AC high voltage was applied to the point electrode in order to generate PD while the electrical impedance of the MWCNT sensor was monitored. When the PD was generated, the electrical conductance of the MWCNT sensor gradually increased. The sensor response was reversible and was influenced by the PD intensity as well as by the relative position of the sensor to the point electrode. It was suggested that the sensor conductance increase was caused by an electronic interaction between MWCNTs and non-identified oxidative decomposition products. The faint PD, which could not be sensed by gas detecting tubes, was successfully detected by the MWCNT sensor on a real time basis.