Partial discharge sensor

A partial discharge detection system, comprising:

• at least one capacitive sensor configured to capacitively sense a partial discharge event, the capacitive sensor comprising a first electrical conductor positioned near an electrical conductor of an electrical system comprising an electrical device such that the first electrical conductor forms the first terminal of the capacitive sensor and the electrical conductor of the electrical system forms the second terminal of the capacitive sensor, the electrical conductor disposed partially inside and partially outside of the electrical system, the capacitive sensor configured to generate an electrical sensor signal at an output of the capacitive sensor in response to the partial discharge event;
• a transducer configured to convert the electrical sensor signal to an optical signal;
• and
• partial discharge detection circuitry configured to detect an occurrence of the partial discharge event based on the optical signal.

A method, comprising:

• capacitively sensing a partial discharge event within an electrical system comprising an electrical device using a capacitive sensor disposed partially inside and partially outside the electrical system;
• generating an electrical sensor signal at an output of the capacitive sensor in response to the partial discharge event;
• converting the electrical sensor signal to an optical signal;
• and
• detecting an occurrence of the partial discharge event based on the optical signal.

An electrical system comprising:

• partial discharge detection system, comprising:
• at least one capacitive sensor configured to capacitively sense a partial discharge event, the capacitive sensor comprising a first electrical conductor positioned near an electrical conductor of the electrical system comprising an electrical device such that the first electrical conductor forms the first terminal of the capacitive sensor and the electrical conductor of the electrical system forms the second terminal of the capacitive sensor, the electrical conductor disposed partially inside and partially outside of the electrical system, the capacitive sensor configured to generate an electrical sensor signal at an output of the capacitive sensor in response to the partial discharge event;
• a transducer configured to convert the electrical sensor signal to an optical signal;
• and
• partial discharge detection circuitry configured to detect an occurrence of the partial discharge event based on the optical signal.