Inverter-embedded Partial Discharge Testing for Reliability Enhancement of Stator Winding Insulation in Low Voltage Machines

Hyeon Jun Lee, Hanju Kim, Jigyun Jeong, Kibok Lee, Sang Bin Lee, Greg C. Stone

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Partial discharge (PD) due to fast risetime, pulse-width modulation (PWM) has been identified as one of the leading causes of insulation failure in low voltage (LV) motors with random wound stator windings fed by variable frequency drives (VFD). With the recent increase in electrical stress with faster risetime wide bandgap power devices and higher voltage for improved efficiency and power density of the system, PD-induced insulation failures are expected to increase. Since LV motor insulation is not resistant to PD, an increasing number of VFD motors are being qualified for PD-free operation. However, the PD inception voltage (PDIV) of qualified motors can decrease with insulation aging and the operating environment making LV motors susceptible to failure. In this paper, a new concept for automated inverter-embedded PD testing under impulse excitation is proposed. The main concept is to perform impulse PD testing using the inverter at increased voltage levels whenever the motor is at standstill for providing advanced warning of PD activity for preventing forced outage of VFD motors. Two options for applying increased impulse test voltage for implementing the proposed concept are presented. Test results on an 800 V VFD driven motor shows that the proposed methods can provide automated PD testing whenever the motor is stopped for improving the reliability of the VFD motor stator insulation.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2021 IEEE Energy Conversion Congress and Exposition, ECCE 2021 - Proceedings
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages4724-4730
Number of pages7
ISBN (Electronic)9781728151359
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021
Event13th IEEE Energy Conversion Congress and Exposition, ECCE 2021 - Virtual, Online, Canada
Duration: 2021 Oct 102021 Oct 14

Publication series

Name2021 IEEE Energy Conversion Congress and Exposition, ECCE 2021 - Proceedings

Conference

Conference13th IEEE Energy Conversion Congress and Exposition, ECCE 2021
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityVirtual, Online
Period21/10/1021/10/14

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 IEEE.

Keywords

  • AC Motors
  • Impulse Testing
  • Insulation Testing
  • Partial Discharge
  • Variable Frequency Drives

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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