University PhD Research Studentship
School of Engineering and Built Environment
Power Systems Diagnostics
Reference Number: SEBE_DH_2014_2
Studentship Project Title: Development of on-line measurement technique for insulation
assessment
Applications are invited for a full-time PhD research studentship at Glasgow Caledonian University within
the School of Engineering and Built Environment. The studentship is for a period of three years, subject
to satisfactory progress and provides payment of tuition fees at the UK/EU rate plus an annual stipend of
£14,800 [please note that students from outside the EU are required to pay the difference between
International and EU fees, currently this would amount to £7,100 per annum]. The successful candidate
will carry out up to 6 hours of academic-related work per week as part of their research training.
Research Theme
Power Systems Diagnostics
Research Project Summary
This project is aimed at an area of insulation diagnostics which is of importance to the electrical
transmission and distribution community. Partial discharge (PD) activity is an indicator of faults
in insulation but detection does not provide the ideal answer to condition monitoring as PD
indicates a serious fault requiring rapid intervention by the user. The project proposes to
investigate alternative methods for measuring deterioration of insulation systems. Water trees
and other regions of low relative impedance in insulation cause overheating and are a precursor
to more accelerated degradation forms which will be targeted in the proposed project.
Developing knowledge and instrumentation to diagnose non-PD faults would have significant
impact on electricity supply reliability.
The project will investigate impedance spectroscopy, on-line dielectric loss measurement
systems, conductance measurement systems, etc. Simulation of changes in practical
conformations of insulation would determine the suitability of methods of investigation.
From the techniques investigated and simulations, an appropriate methodology for determining
localised changes in insulation properties, in a practical on-line manner, will be selected. A
prototype instrument would be developed to prove the viability of carrying out on-line
insulation assessment.
Supervisory Team
Dr Donald M Hepburn
Prof Chengke Zhou
Staff Contact
Dr Donald M Hepburn : D.M.Hepburn@gcu.ac.uk
Prof Chengke Zhou : C.Zhou@gcu.ac.uk
How to Apply
Applicants should complete the University Research Application Form, available from:
http://www.gcu.ac.uk/research/phdresearchopportunities/
Version1.1Feb14
Please send the form, stating the studentship project title and reference number, with a CV, copies of
academic qualifications, references, and any other required documentation to:
researchapplications@gcu.ac.uk
The closing date for applications is 14th April 2014
Version1.1Feb14