Diagnosis of eccentric rotor in synchronous machines by analysis of split-phase currents - part II: experimental analysis

The windings of power synchronous machines are often parallel connected to obtain the desired machine voltage and current ratings. Ideally, the split-phase currents are equal in symmetrical windings, so as to avoid parasitic circulation of current in the parallel branches. However, the symmetry is broken in case of rotor eccentricity, and the split-phase currents become unbalanced. Part I of this paper analyzed the theoretical behavior of the unbalanced currents by using symmetrical components. A new fault diagnosis method was shown, based on a combined space-vector/fast Fourier transformation (FFT) analysis of sig- natures in the split-phase currents. This Part II applies the split-phase current signature analysis to a laboratory 17-kVA syn- chronous generator with artificial faults. Method performances have been evaluated with mixed static/dynamic type fault, in no-load and loaded conditions. The experiments are matched with time-stepping finite-element simulations, which help explain the effect of saturation and load on the diagnosis accuracy. The feasibility of installation of current probes in practical machines is also discussed.