Usage of acoustic camera for condition monitoring of electric motors

Abstract

The paper presents a method of analysis of electric motors based on acoustic measurements. Acoustic signals were measured by microphones arranged in circular shape array called acoustic camera. Measurements by acoustic camera allow localization of sound source and by that separate sounds of interests from background noise can be obtained. Typically acoustic camera measurements are accompanied by a photography associated with acoustic measurement scene which is used for mapping of sound sources on the monitored area. As a reference, acoustic analysis is compared with vibration measurements. Vibration signals were measured by piezoelectric accelerometers and data collector dedicated for condition monitoring of electric motors. As presented in the result section, acoustic analysis appears as a valuable technique for condition monitoring of electric motors even in noisy industrial environment.