The Nature of the Measurement of Partial Discharge

The measurement of partial discharges in solid insulation is predictive of the long-term performance of the insulation. That makes the measurement very important in high-voltage technology. The topic has been of interest for a long time, and has been extensively studied around the world. And yet sometimes there are discussions—arguments, even—over the meaning of the results, and whether a model based on void capacitance or dipole moments is appropriate. The reason that differences of opinion can still exist in this field is grounded in the nature of the measurement itself. This paper reviews the origins of the measurement and explores its nature. The paper shows that further discussion over meaning is unwarranted because no model is appropriate. The measurement is an operationalist one.