Machine Learning Approaches for Fault Detection and Diagnosis in Electrical Machines: A Comparative Study of Deep Learning and Classical Methods

Abstract

Fault detection and diagnosis in electrical machines are crucial for ensuring their safe and reliable operation. In recent years, machine learning techniques have emerged as powerful tools for addressing this challenge, offering the potential for more accurate and efficient fault detection and diagnosis compared to traditional methods. Among these techniques, deep learning has gained significant attention due to its ability to automatically learn relevant features from raw data. However, the performance of deep learning models in this domain has not been extensively compared to classical methods. This paper presents a comparative study of deep learning and classical methods for fault detection and diagnosis in electrical machines. The study evaluates the performance of various machine learning algorithms, including deep neural networks, support vector machines, decision trees, and ensemble methods, in detecting and diagnosing faults such as stator winding faults, rotor faults, and bearing faults. The experimental evaluation is conducted using real-world datasets obtained from electrical machines in industrial settings. Performance metrics such as accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score are used to assess the effectiveness of each approach in detecting and diagnosing faults accurately and efficiently. The results of the study indicate that deep learning approaches, particularly convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and recurrent neural networks (RNNs), outperform classical methods in terms of fault detection and diagnosis accuracy. These deep learning models demonstrate the ability to automatically extract informative features from raw sensor data, enabling them to effectively identify subtle patterns indicative of faults. The study investigates the interpretability of deep learning models compared to classical methods, examining the extent to which the models can provide insights into the underlying causes of faults. While deep learning models typically operate as black boxes, techniques such as layer-wise relevance propagation (LRP) are employed to enhance their interpretability and facilitate the identification of relevant features contributing to fault detection and diagnosis. This comparative study provides valuable insights into the strengths and limitations of deep learning and classical methods for fault detection and diagnosis in electrical machines, offering guidance for practitioners and researchers in selecting appropriate approaches for their specific applications.