To investigate transient earth voltage（TEV）signal propagation characteristics

typical artificial partial discharge source was used to simulate TEV signals in the physical switchgear. TEV signal propagations in a switchgear and between different switchgears were analyzed. Experimental results show that: 1)the amplitude of TEV signal gradually attenuates with the increasing detection distance in same compartment of switchgear; 2)the amplitude of TEV signal propagating between two compartments attenuates faster due to the existence of the metal separator; 3)TEV signal propagates along the connecting path between different switchgears; 4)by comparing the initial amplitudes and sequence of TEV signals received by different detection probes

location of partial discharge source can be realized effectively.