Analysis of Reluctance Synchronous Motor Under Hybrid Fault Condition

Abstract

A small degree of static eccentricity is inevitable due to manufacturing tolerances and assembly imperfections. Therefore, when stator inter-turn fault happens, it is important to analyze it along with static eccentric condition. Unfortunately, there is not much literature that analyzes such a condition. This paper focuses on the analysis of a Reluctance Synchronous Machine (RSM) when subjected to stator inter-turn and static eccentricity faults simultaneously. In particular, the work focuses on determining the impact of relative position between the minimum airgap point and the stator inter-turn fault. The goal of the paper is achieved by simulating a 1.5 hp, 4-pole, RSM using Finite Element (FE) software. Line current data is captured under different fault conditions and motor current signature analysis is carried out. Furthermore, the lower sideband harmonic frequency is reconstructed in time domain using Inverse Fourier Fast Transform. Clarke’s transformation is applied on the reconstructed harmonic frequency currents to estimate the alpha, beta components. Afterwards, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is implemented on the alpha, beta currents. The major benefits of the work include establishing the impact of hybrid faults on motor current signatures, developing a new measure to predict the relative position of the point of minimum airgap.