Introducing the C50 PD+: A New Era of Partial Discharge Detection I Seamus Allan, Dynamic Ratings

Dynamic Ratings launched the C50 PD+ at CIGRE 2026 in Paris. It is the next generation of a partial discharge (PD) monitoring product the company has offered for more than 20 years. According to Seamus Allan, Director of Engineering, it delivers higher sampling rates, higher-resolution data and a wider dynamic range. It also runs on the same C50 platform used to monitor transformers, switchgear, circuit breakers and motors, and its data feeds the company’s tools for automated anomaly detection.

Recorded live at CIGRE 2026 in Paris.

What You Will Learn

• Why partial discharge is an early indicator of problems in large electrical assets
• What is new in the C50 PD+ compared with Dynamic Ratings’ earlier PD monitoring system
• How one C50 platform can cover transformers, switchgear, circuit breakers and motors
• How web-based configuration and large data storage simplify deployment
• How PD data feeds asset health tools and automated anomaly detection

Meet the Expert: Seamus Allan, Dynamic Ratings

Seamus Allan is Director of Engineering at Dynamic Ratings. He leads the engineering team that spent the last 12 months building the C50 PD+, which was released at CIGRE 2026. In the interview he presents the product and explains why Dynamic Ratings updated a monitoring line that has served customers for over two decades.

What Is Partial Discharge and Why Does It Matter?

Partial discharge (PD) is a localized electrical discharge within insulation that does not fully bridge the gap between conductors. It often signals that insulation is deteriorating.

Allan describes PD as an early indicator of problems in electrical systems, including transformers, rotating machines, motors and switchgear. Dynamic Ratings’ monitoring has been used to detect breakdowns in insulation, breakdowns in insulation media and emerging issues that, in his words, often aren’t found until a disaster happens.

He notes that the earlier system, built many years ago, delivered “many great catches” of failing insulation on power system components. Its customers range from industrial operators to utilities, and anywhere else large electrical assets are used.

What Is the Dynamic Ratings C50 PD+?

The C50 PD+ is an evolution of the PD monitoring product Dynamic Ratings has offered for more than 20 years. It is built on modern technology, which Allan says lets the company sustain its manufacturing and also gives it a platform for introducing new sensors.

It is positioned as a lower-cost solution that integrates with the existing C50 platform.

What Is New: Higher Resolution, Faster Sampling, Wider Dynamic Range

Allan highlights three technical improvements:

Higher Sampling Rates

Sampling rate is how often a monitoring system captures the measured signal. Faster sampling means PD events can be captured in more detail.

Higher-Resolution Data

Resolution describes how finely the signal is measured. Allan says the C50 PD+ offers higher-resolution data than the earlier system.

Wider Dynamic Range

Dynamic range is the span between the smallest and largest signals a system can measure. A wider range lets one device handle both weak and strong activity.

One Platform for Transformers, Switchgear, Circuit Breakers and Motors

The main commercial point is consolidation. Allan says customers no longer need multiple systems to monitor PD data. It comes together in a single solution with the other monitoring they already do on transformers, switchgear, circuit breakers or motors.

For utilities and industrial operators who want fewer systems and earlier warnings, this reduces the number of platforms to install, configure and maintain.

Web-Based Configuration and Large Data Storage

That matters because PD analysis depends on trends and history, not just a single reading.

The C50 PD+ offers easy web-based configuration and requires no additional software. It can also store enormous amounts of data in the system.

How Does PD Data Feed Asset Health and Anomaly Detection?

Allan explains that the data is stored in a way that suits Dynamic Ratings’ asset management and health solutions, including DynamicMetrics, SmartGrid and its future AI offerings. These tools will process the data and enable automated anomaly detection.