Model-Based Field Winding Interturn Fault Detection Method for Brushless Synchronous Machines

Abstract

The lack of available measurements makes the detection of electrical faults in the rotating elements of brushless synchronous machines particularly challenging. This paper presents a novel and fast detection method regarding interturn faults at the field winding of the main machine, which is characterized because it is non-intrusive and because its industrial application is straightforward as it does not require any additional equipment. The method is built upon the comparison between the theoretical and the measured exciter field currents. The theoretical exciter field current is computed from the main machine output voltage and current magnitudes for any monitored operating point by means of a theoretical healthy brushless machine model that links the main machine with the exciter. The applicability of the method has been verified for interturn faults at different fault severity levels, both through computer simulations and experimental tests, delivering promising results.

Keywords

• alternator
• brushless excitation
• brushless machine
• condition monitoring
• fault detection
• power generation