Abstract
The industry has widely accepted Frequency Response Analysis (FRA) as a reliable method to detect power transformers mechanical deformations. While the FRA technique has been recommended in recent literature as a potential diagnostic method to detect internal faults within rotating machines, detailed feasibility studies have not been fully addressed yet. This paper investigates the feasibility of using the FRA technique to detect several short circuit faults in the stator winding of three-phase induction motors (TPIMs). In this regard, FRA testing is conducted on two sets of induction motors with various short circuit faults. Investigated faults include short circuits between two phases, short circuit turns within the same phase, phase-to-ground, and phase-to-neutral short circuit. The measured FRA signatures are divided into three frequency ranges: low, medium, and high. Several statistical indicators are employed to quantify the variation between faulty and healthy signatures in each frequency range. Experimental results attest the feasibility of the FRA technique as a diagnostic tool to detect internal faults in rotating machines, such as induction motors.
Highlights
Rotating machinery such as three-phase induction motors (TPIMs) are commonly employed in a variety of industrial applications
Each frequency range is dominated by a specific electric circuit component, e.g., LF range is affected by the winding resistance while the MF range is influenced by the winding inductance and the winding capacitance dominates the signature in the HF range
This paper investigated the ability of Frequency Response Analysis (FRA) to detect various short circuit faults within three-phase induction motors
Summary
Rotating machinery such as three-phase induction motors (TPIMs) are commonly employed in a variety of industrial applications. Owing to the continuous severe mechanical stress, induction motors are prone to several failure modes, including mechanical and short circuit faults [1]. Other reasons that contribute to the likelihood of motor’s faults include manufacturing defects, inappropriate installation, and other operational factors such as overloading, thermal stress, unbalanced voltage supply, insulation damage, and deterioration of grounding connection [2]. According to an IEEE statistical survey conducted on motors of sizes larger than 200 HP, bearing faults contribute the highest percentage (41%), followed by stator winding faults, which represent 37% of the faults taking place in rotating machines, as shown in Figure 1 [3]. Distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons.
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