Surge Test-Based Identification of Stator Insulation Component with Partial Discharge Activity for Low Voltage AC Motors

Sang Bin Lee, Alireza Naeini, Shesha Jayaram, Greg C. Stone, Mladen Sasic

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Partial discharge (PD) has been identified as one of the root causes of stator insulation failure even for low voltage (LV) ac motors. For reliable operation of variable frequency drive motors, a standard acceptance test procedure (IEC STD 60034-18-41) to ensure PD-free operation of LV motors was developed. Although the test can verify whether PD exists in the stator for a surge with predetermined voltage level and risetime, the information on where PD activity is present in the stator insulation is not provided. In this article, a test method based on a new variable risetime surge generator is proposed for identifying the component of stator insulation where PD occurs in LV random wound stators. The proposed test allows the user to locate whether PD is in the turn, phase, or ground insulation. This information is critical for lowering the PD inception voltage for improving the motor reliability through insulation system design/manufacturing or motor/drive system reconfiguration. The test is implemented with a 4.5 kV variable risetime surge generator prototype, and seven LV ac motors are tested to show where PD is likely to occur in commercial LV motors.

Original languageEnglish
Article number9016196
Pages (from-to)2541-2549
Number of pages9
JournalIEEE Transactions on Industry Applications
Volume56
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020 May 1

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 1972-2012 IEEE.

Keywords

  • AC motors
  • impulse testing
  • insulation testing
  • partial discharge (PD)
  • surges

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Control and Systems Engineering
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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