Application: Partial Discharge Detection & Competitive Benchmarking at 400kV/132kV Substations
Clients: REE (Red Eléctrica de España) and Iberdrola
Product: Hertzinno HA3 Acoustic Imaging Camera
The Spanish power market has long been dominated by established international brands, with Iberdrola standardizing on the Fluke ii905/15 for partial discharge (PD) inspections. To challenge this status quo, the Hertzinno HA3 was brought into a 400kV substation jointly managed by Spain’s grid operator REE and Iberdrola for a head-to-head field comparison.
Testing took place in a 400kV high-voltage environment, demanding exceptional anti-interference capability and detection precision.
The client was already familiar with a competitor’s interface and data presentation, making them naturally skeptical of an alternative solution.
A subsequent technical meeting required the device to withstand deep-dive questions on analysis parameter impacts, sound field dynamic range adjustments, and more — every detail would be scrutinized.
The PC analysis software allows users to adjust parameters such as working voltage, temperature, humidity, and distance. This raised a legitimate concern: could manual inputs alter the analysis results, making the conclusions susceptible to manipulation?
The HA3’s software design provides a transparent answer: the influence of these parameters on PD analysis is negligible. Even when humidity is set to an extreme value, the final result fluctuates by only 3%–5%. This means that regardless of how environmental parameters are corrected during reporting, the PD intensity and localization results from the HA3 remain highly stable, ensuring data fairness and objectivity at all times.
The HA3 is equipped with high-precision onboard sensors that measure ambient temperature, humidity, and air pressure in real time, automatically incorporating them into the PD evaluation model. When users manually input parameters in the software, the system overrides the internal measured values with the manual data, providing a flexible correction window for special conditions (e.g., sensor obstruction or microclimate adjustments). This transparent switching between two modes gives field engineers complete control while preserving complete data traceability.
This is the feature that truly set the HA3 apart during testing. The camera supports manual dynamic range adjustment from 0.1 dB to 15 dB, with hardware capable of an ultra-wide 18 dB dynamic range. When multiple PD sources exist in the same area of a substation, strong signals often completely mask weaker surrounding discharges. By adjusting the dynamic range of the Sound Map, inspectors can, layer by layer, reveal early-stage weak discharges hidden by dominant signals — much like adjusting the depth of focus on an acoustic microscope.
This capability directly addresses a real pain point in the field: you need to find not only the obvious discharges but also the nascent, concealed faults that are just beginning to develop. Compared to devices with fixed dynamic ranges, the HA3 dramatically reduces the risk of missed detection.
The HA3 offers two sound field visualization modes: Sound Mark and Sound Map.
Sound Mark uses a compact heatmap to rapidly lock onto the strongest sound source center.
Sound Map enables manual dynamic range adjustment, making it ideal for scenarios requiring fine analysis of multiple PD points or complex background noise.
This dual-mode design allows field personnel to perform both a quick initial screening and a deep scan — completing two levels of diagnosis with a single captured image.
During the joint test conducted by REE and Iberdrola at a 400kV substation, the HA3 operated stably and delivered excellent results. In the detailed technical meeting that followed, the HA3’s transparent and controllable parameter logic, combined with its powerful dynamic range functionality, successfully addressed every in-depth technical question posed by the client.
Although Iberdrola had previously standardized on a competitor’s product, after this comparison, they gave positive feedback on the HA3’s performance. Through its product strength alone, the HA3 broke through the “standardization barrier,” laying a solid foundation for entry into the procurement system of Spain’s largest utility company.
"The test and the subsequent information helped me better understand the acoustic inspection technique and successfully prepare for the Iberdrola meeting."
"Completely understood! Thank you very much."
Rock-Solid Analysis Algorithm: Parameter corrections do not affect core conclusions; data stands up to scrutiny.
18 dB Ultra-Wide Dynamic Range: Strong signals never mask weak ones, leaving early defects nowhere to hide.
Built-in Environmental Sensing + Manual Override: Intelligent measurement combined with flexible correction for any complex field situation.
Dual-Mode Acoustic Visualization: Rapid screening and deep-dive analysis in one device, boosting inspection efficiency.
The Hertzinno HA3 Acoustic Imager earns the respect of world-class grid operators through sheer technical excellence.
