Partial discharge sensor and partial discharge monitoring system utilizing current sensors

A partial discharge sensor comprising:

• a housing;
• a plurality of first current sensors, each of said first current sensors having a first opening;
• a plurality of conductive shields, each of said conductive shields being disposed within the first opening of and proximate to a corresponding one of said first current sensors, said each of said conductive shields having a second opening, the first opening of said corresponding one of said first current sensors and the second opening of said each of said conductive shields being structured to receive a first medium voltage power conductor;
• a plurality of second conductors, each one of a number of said second conductors being electrically connected to a corresponding pair of said conductive shields, one of said second conductors being structured to be electrically connected to ground;
• and
• a second sensor cooperating with said one of said second conductors, said second sensor being structured to sense signals associated with partial discharge activity.

A partial discharge monitoring system comprising:

• a partial discharge sensor comprising:
• a first current sensor having an opening,
• a conductive shield disposed within the opening of and proximate to said first current sensor, said conductive shield having an opening, the opening of said first current sensor and the opening of said conductive shield being structured to receive a first medium voltage power conductor,
• a second conductor electrically connected to said conductive shield, said second conductor being structured to be electrically connected to ground, and
• a second sensor cooperating with said second conductor, said second sensor comprising an output having signals associated with partial discharge activity;
• and
• an electronic monitoring circuit receiving the output of said second sensor, said electronic monitoring circuit being structured to provide on-line monitoring of a partial discharge occurring within the first medium voltage power conductor.

A current sensor assembly comprising:

• a current sensor having a first opening;
• a conductive shield disposed within the first opening and being proximate to said current sensor, said conductive shield having a second opening;
• a housing having a third opening disposed within the first and second openings, said housing said current sensor and said conductive shield, the first opening of said current sensor, the second opening of said conductive shield and the third opening of said housing being structured to receive a first medium voltage power conductor;
• and
• a second conductor electrically connected to said conductive shield, said second conductor being structured to be electrically connected to ground.

A medium voltage current sensor assembly comprising:

• a current sensor having a first opening;
• a conductive shield disposed within the first opening and being proximate to said current sensor, said conductive shield having a second opening;
• a first medium voltage power conductor disposed within the first opening of said current sensor and the second opening of said conductive shield, said first medium voltage power conductor comprising a first end, a second end and an intermediate portion between the first and second ends;
• a housing said current sensor, said conductive shield and the intermediate portion of said first medium voltage power conductor;
• and
• a second conductor electrically connected to said conductive shield, said second conductor being structured to be electrically connected to ground.