This paper introduces a partial discharge (PD) severity metric, S, based on the evaluation of time-sequence PD data capture and resulting Time-Sequence-Analysis Discharge (TSAD) level distributions. Basically based on an IEC60270 measurement technique, each PD event is time stamped and the discharge level noted. By evaluating the time differences between a previous and subsequent discharge, a 3D plot of time-sequence activity and discharge levels can be produced. From these parameters a measurement of severity, which takes into account dynamic or instantaneous variations in both the time of occurrence and the level of discharge, rather than using standard repetition rate techniques, can be formulated. The idea is to provide a measure of the severity of PD activity for potentially measuring the state of insulation within an item of plant. This severity measure is evaluated for a simple point-plane geometry in $SF_{6}$ as a function of gap distance and applied high voltage. The results show that as the partial discharge activity increases, the severity measure also increases. The importance of future investigations, quantifications and evaluations of the robustness, sensitivity and importance of such a severity measurement, as well as comparing it with typical repetition rate assessment techniques, and other monitoring techniques, are also very briefly discussed.
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