Tool to predict and avoid Partial Discharges in stator slot of rotating motors fed by inverter

Philippe Collin (1) , David Malec (2) , Yvan Lefèvre (3)

1 LAPLACE - LAboratoire PLasma et Conversion d'Energie
2 LAPLACE-MDCE - Matériaux Diélectriques dans la Conversion d’Energie
3 LAPLACE-GREM3 - Groupe de Recherches en Electrodynamique

The introduction of power electronics opened a wide range of possibilities in machines control. However, fast switching frequencies of the converters combined with the power cable length lead to repetitive transient overshoots on the motor terminals. They do not spread linearly across the motor winding. The first turns, which are closest to the terminals, are the most impacted. High transient electric field occurs in the slot which may ignite partial discharges (PD) and accelerate the motor electric insulation aging. This paper presents a tool to detect and avoid PD in the stator slot of low voltage rotating motors fed by inverter. The context is a more electric aircraft. First, it will briefly introduce the challenges toward a hybrid propelled aircraft. Then some generalities concerning low voltage rotating machines insulation and PD will be presented. Parametric models for the evaluation of the partial discharge insulation voltage (PDIV) are obtained from 2D finite elements models. These are used in a tool to predict PD risk in a motorette.

Mots clés: partial discharges; parametric models; motorette; electric motor; Paschen

Domaines: Sciences de l'ingénieur [physics]; Electromagnétisme; Plasmas

Philippe Collin, David Malec, Yvan Lefèvre. Tool to predict and avoid Partial Discharges in stator slot of rotating motors fed by inverter. AEROSPACE EUROPE CONFERENCE, Feb 2020, Bordeaux, France. ⟨hal-02568019⟩