Patent ID: 7157710

Claim:
An apparatus for determining whether a corona discharge originated within a high voltage component or a second component electrically connected to the high voltage component, the apparatus comprising: a broadband optical spectra sensor for sensing the ultraviolet energy produced by the corona discharge in the high voltage component and for sensing the infrared energy produced by the infrared afterglow from the corona discharge in the high voltage component, the broadband optical spectra sensor having an optical sensor output signal level proportional to the sensed energy; a means for optical sensor signal evaluation for comparing the optical sensor output signal level with a false output signal level to determine if the optical sensor output signal level is greater than the false output signal level, the means for optical sensor signal evaluation having a valid optical signal output during the period of time that the optical sensor output signal level is greater than the false output signal level; and a signal processor for calculating a valid optical signal period of time that the optical sensor output signal level is greater than the false output signal level and for comparing the valid optical signal period of time with a minimum pulse width for a corona discharge within the high voltage component to determine whether the corona discharge occurred in the high voltage component or the second component connected to the high voltage component.